This is the third blog in the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly series celebrating National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.
Betina J. Lew is a Scientist-Toxicologist for the Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs division of Procter and Gamble (P&G) in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a native of São Paulo, Brazil and received her BS from São Paulo State University (Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil), a MS from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Campus Rehovot, Israel), and a PhD through a joint program from Michigan State University and São Paulo State University. In addition, Dr. Lew was a trainee for four years in the Postdoctoral Program in Toxicology at the Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center (New York).
Next Step: Private Industry?
Greetings and Happy National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week!
One topic that I frequently discuss with trainees in toxicology is the next step in their professional lives, so here are some of my thoughts on this subject.
Most postdoctoral fellows begin their training with a very clear vision of what they want to do next in their career. However, those plans change for different reasons and when the time to move on to a “permanent position” arrives, the transition is accompanied by a sense of inner turmoil.
Generally, when we think about the next professional step, we divide the possible jobs in three sectors: government, industry, and academia. However, this is an oversimplification because in each of the sectors there are so many possibilities. With all of these options available, it is not surprising that one may feel a little bit “lost”. For example, working in risk assessment at a big company like P&G is very different from working at a Contract Research Organization (CRO) as study director.
For me, there were many deciding factors when I chose to move from academia to P&G (many more factors than the simple “private industry vs. academia”). For example, I liked the idea of working in a global environment, where I am in contact with people from all over the world and have the opportunity of interacting with different cultures. In my job, my work is well balanced between science, business, and organizational responsibilities. Every day I find new and different challenges, and I often have to be a creative thinker and problem solver.
Another factor that was important in my decision was the fact that P&G is actually one company formed by several smaller companies. Once one assignment is completed, the toxicologist can move to another business unit (for example, from Oral Care to Baby Care) or even to other functions.
However, as I mentioned in the beginning, there are many options out there and one way of figuring out if a job is a good fit for you is to find someone in the company (or in a very similar one) and conduct a “reverse interview.” Sometimes little things may change your mind about a specific position or company. That is why it is so important to learn about them before deciding where you want to go next.
During the last year of your postdoc, make a wish list. Think about what is really important for you. Write down what makes you happy and what frustrates you in your personal and professional life. Think about what type of environment is the best fit for you. What type of people do you enjoy working with? Are you a team player or you prefer to work individually? There is no right or wrong, just what fits your personality. Considering these questions can help guide you in making your next professional choice.
Before I finish this piece, there are a few myths and truths about the transition to the permanent position that I would like to share with you.
EVERYBODY knows EXACTLY what to do after his/her training. That is a wrong assumption. Some people do. However, many of the trainees that I have the opportunity of interacting with don’t know exactly what their next career step will be. This is very common and the key is to do the homework. Learn about the different opportunities and talk to people that work in different industries. Sometimes it is the job opportunity and not the sector that really matters. In addition, there are many websites that offer free tools to help in identifying your passions and skills. It is a good idea to explore these tools while job hunting.
You can find more information at the National Postdoctoral Association website about career planning.
The real good postdoc fellow is the one that spends 60 hours a week in the lab. Wrong again. ALWAYS use the 80:20 rule: use at least 20% of your time to do things that are not directly related to your research. Network! Go to conferences and annual meetings, apply for awards, try to get involved in leadership roles, and don’t be shy.
“When I start job hunting, I will be hired and ready to move in a couple of months.” You are exceptional, capable, and prepared, but job hunting is stressful, difficult, and filled with disappointments. Job-hunting can become a full time job. Therefore, focus in what your goals are. Answer questions like: “Where do you want to live? What type of environment do you want to work in? How much money do you want or need to make to live within your expectations?”
“The right job is there, waiting for you.” YES! If you reached the point in your life where you had the opportunity to have wonderful postdoc training, you will find the right job. But you have to be patient, craft the best application package possible (ask for feedback from your peers and your mentors), and don’t give up.
Hope this helps!!! Feel free to send me an email if you want to learn a little bit more about my job, Cincinnati, or P&G.