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0. Preface-Start Here!

1. Identity Station

2. Landscape Station

3. Connection Station

4. Opportunity Station

5. Translation Station

6. Amplification Station

7. Launch Station

8. VC Station

9. Evolution Station (Coming Soon!)

Grad School was supposed to open doors to a fulfilling career. Instead, you got uncertainty, isolation, and vague advice.
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Data Driven-Facts: Section 2

Why should you care about this section?
  • Only about 15% of science PhDs secure tenure-track academic positions.
  • The majority pursue careers in industry, government, or other sectors.
  • Advisors often overemphasize academic careers, but most students end up outside academia.
  • Location matters: PhDs in major research hubs (e.g., Boston, San Francisco) have more access to both academic and industry positions.
  • Proximity to industry clusters increases chances of employment in non-academic sectors.
  • Over 50% of PhDs work in jobs where their primary duties are not research.
  • Transferable skills (communication, project management, data analysis) are critical for these roles.
  • Many PhDs report high job satisfaction in non-academic careers using these skills.
  • Biomedical PhDs pursue a wide range of careers: only 33% intend to pursue academic research, while 57% consider non-research careers.
  • PhDs are well-prepared for diverse roles due to their analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Demand for PhDs and the types of roles available vary widely by country and region.
  • In regions with robust industry (e.g., North America, Western Europe), more PhDs find jobs outside academia utilizing transferable skills.

Sources:

Woolston, Chris Graduate survey: A loveā€“hurt relationshipWoolston, Chris Graduate survey: A loveā€“hurt relationship

CBEā€”Life Sciences Education Improving Graduate Education to Support a Branching Career Pipeline: Recommendations Based on a Survey of Doctoral Students in the Basic Biomedical Sciences | CBEā€”Life Sciences EducationCBEā€”Life Sciences Education Improving Graduate Education to Support a Branching Career Pipeline: Recommendations Based on a Survey of Doctoral Students in the Basic Biomedical Sciences | CBEā€”Life Sciences Education

plosone An evidence-based evaluation of transferrable skills and job satisfaction for science PhDsplosone An evidence-based evaluation of transferrable skills and job satisfaction for science PhDs

plosone Science PhD Career Preferences: Levels, Changes, and Advisor Encouragementplosone Science PhD Career Preferences: Levels, Changes, and Advisor Encouragement