Why I left academia for industry
I want to break this stigma of leaving academia by describing why I left. I didn’t have anyone to turn to who could validate my feelings, so I hope that I can do that for others.
Read MoreMy journey as a planetary scientist in industry
I left academia because I didn’t feel like it was the right environment for me, despite my love of planetary science. Here I describe my journey going from academia into industry.
Read MoreWhy commercial space companies need scientists
Many commercial space companies don’t seem to think they need planetary scientists on staff. They are wrong.
Read MoreNetworking for career success
Upon hearing the word “networking,” most people probably envision a room full of strangers, mediocre hors d'oeuvres, and moderate to high levels of anxiety. It’s the worst, right?
Read MoreBefore applying to an industry job, do these 3 things
If you start applying to industry jobs without first doing these three things, your application will just be flushed down the digital toilet.
Read MoreHold up! Is industry actually right for you?
Some people think they would be happy in industry until they learn more about it. As you consider whether to pursue a career in industry, consider these 3 questions that I always ask when interviewing academics.
Read MoreWhich industry jobs should you target?
After identifying interesting sectors in industry, it’s time to narrow your focus and discover potential positions and employers. Here’s how.
Read MoreThe first step to make the leap from academia to industry
Developing a roadmap for your new career direction will require serious thinking about your interests and priorities. The first step I took was to isolate myself from distractions and scribble stream-of-consciousness answers to these questions.
Read MoreLeaving academia does not make you a failure
Anyone who’s been in a Ph.D. program knows the term “mastering out”: leaving a Ph.D program and getting a masters as a “consolation prize”. While there’s no slang to describe someone who leaves research, in planetary science, the scorn is no less insidious.
Read MoreColliding worlds: A planetary scientist in industry
Through this blog, I hope to reframe the narrative about planetary scientists leaving academia, provide direction I didn’t have on how to get an industry job, and share insight into the space mission engineering process from a NewSpace perspective.
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