Name: Kristel Tjandra (she/her)
PhD: Chemistry, University of New South Wales, 2018
What was your main area of research?
My PhD area of research was in cancer nanomedicine. I developed a targeted therapy for a childhood brain cancer, medulloblastoma. For my postdoc, I developed new ways to rapidly diagnose bacterial infections.
What is your current job?
I am a Freelance Science Writer, and I work remotely.
I pitch, report, and write short- and long-form articles about science for various media outlets (including science magazines and websites).
Science writing is very intellectually stimulating. The work itself is different everyday. I get to meet experts from vastly different scientific fields and learn about their work. I also like the flexibility of deciding my own schedule and pursuing topics that matter to me.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
Since freelancing isn’t really a position, it takes a lot of networking to find clients for the work I’m doing. I tried to establish relationships with editors at various outlets by pitching them stories, doing internships, and meeting them at conferences.
PhD graduate ➡️ Postdoc ➡️ Intern Reporter/Science Writer ➡️ Freelance Science Writer
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?
It was a combination of personal and professional reasons. I’ve loved doing research as a postdoc and being in the lab, but the thought of giving up the hands-on aspect of research to pursue a career as a PI didn’t really appeal to me. Plus, the constant pressure of having to secure research grants and publish dissuaded my desire for a traditional career in academia.
At the same time, my partner’s job would require us to move places (cities/countries) every few years, and I knew that a tenure-track position would not be feasible for this lifestyle. Finding something other than research that I’m really excited about hasn’t come so easily. It took some time to reflect and talk to people who’ve made the transition to realize which path to take.
What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
You are not stuck; it’s okay to quit and find other opportunities. I know that stepping out of academia can feel daunting (and even embarrassing), but from my experience, there are many out there who have made the decision and are more than happy to offer support.
If you can, before you make any career move, investigate your options — reach out to people who have a career outside of academia and ask about: what they like or don’t like about their jobs, how did they get the job, what does professional growth look like for them. Don’t be shy! An email can get you a long way.
The best way to find out is to try or put yourself in the situation. There are some jobs that offer short-term fellowships, internships, or workshops that you might be able to take advantage of while you are doing your PhD/ postdoc.
Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?
I’m an international scholar and a wife. The flexibility to travel overseas to visit or be with my family is important to me.