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Advice needed: PhD to consulting

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  • Jun 1st, 2020 12:37 pm
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May 28th, 2020 12:36 pm
Pimmypoo [OP]
Newbie
Jul 25, 2018
5 posts
4 upvotes

May 28th, 2020 12:36 pm

Advice needed: PhD to consulting

Hi all,

I am currently wrapping up my PhD in science (medicial chemistry to be exact) and has been looking into a career in consulting.
I've sought out advice from a few healthcare consultants regarding my CV, all of which address how my CV is too academia-focused.
I do agree with that statement but what else can I do to improve? I have quite a few publications and patent contribution but lack experience.
I'm currently taking courses in business to help improve my resume. I also tried signing up for consulting volunteer opportunities but did not get a response from anyone.

I've started applying to jobs approximately a month ago to both big and boutique firms. I understand that I can't expect much during the pandemic but it is still quite discouraging.

Is it basically impossible to get into the industry straight out of PhD without an MBA/ industry experience? I'm at the end of my academic career and really don't want to be bench-bound.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! If anyone knows of any internship or open volunteering opportunities, please let me know as well. Thank you in advance!
11 replies
May 28th, 2020 12:58 pm
maple1
Deal Addict
Jun 27, 2006
1984 posts
2246 upvotes

May 28th, 2020 12:58 pm

Congrats on finishing up your PHD. You've only started applying for work so you have to give it some time especially given the current situation. Do the roles that you have applied to require work experience? If so, that might be your answer. Reality is, you aren't the only person applying for those roles, so it may take more time.

Not sure where you are but take a look here: https://www.marsdd.com/work-in-tech/

A lot of start ups and I believe some consulting firms as well. Recall in the past seeing roles that are looking for graduate level backgrounds as well. Good luck.
+1
May 28th, 2020 10:57 pm
overboard
Sr. Member
Feb 19, 2009
587 posts
77 upvotes
USA

May 28th, 2020 10:57 pm

Consulting is about credibility. Part of that is achieved through your credentials and part of that is achieved through your interaction with your client.

Your background in academia may mean you can translate lab results into potential business impact so that solves the credentials part of it.

What you need to prove next is how you can work with your client in a way that instills confidence. I think you need some sort of a stepping stone. An MBA may solve that, but what about looking at other methods? Have you considered a stint in Learning & Development (e.g. training others how to use medical software or something else in an adjacent market) or Customer Success (maintaining and increasing recurring revenue opportunities for a B2B company)? These fields often have lower level jobs which can help you build your skills. Notice I said skills, not experience. The skills you have will come through in your interview when the time comes.
+1
May 29th, 2020 5:02 am
dentonic88
Member
Apr 25, 2019
370 posts
193 upvotes

May 29th, 2020 5:02 am

Pimmypoo wrote: ↑ Hi all,

I am currently wrapping up my PhD in science (medicial chemistry to be exact) and has been looking into a career in consulting.
I've sought out advice from a few healthcare consultants regarding my CV, all of which address how my CV is too academia-focused.
I do agree with that statement but what else can I do to improve? I have quite a few publications and patent contribution but lack experience.
I'm currently taking courses in business to help improve my resume. I also tried signing up for consulting volunteer opportunities but did not get a response from anyone.

I've started applying to jobs approximately a month ago to both big and boutique firms. I understand that I can't expect much during the pandemic but it is still quite discouraging.

Is it basically impossible to get into the industry straight out of PhD without an MBA/ industry experience? I'm at the end of my academic career and really don't want to be bench-bound.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! If anyone knows of any internship or open volunteering opportunities, please let me know as well. Thank you in advance!

congratz on PhD. I cant provide any career assistance but remember of a guy who is a PhD in chemical engineering. He lives in Vancouver but could not get a job so he ended up doing stocks. Now he is a famous day trader and has written some books also, you can google him up. His name is andrew aziz

Wanted to say things often turn out to be different than we expect.
+1
May 29th, 2020 5:02 pm
bhrm
Deal Fanatic
Jul 13, 2009
5190 posts
3445 upvotes

May 29th, 2020 5:02 pm

Don't let the "you're too much in academia" be a barrier.

I currently recruit PhDs and researchers in tech, but past years I've recruited for biotech/pharma a little bit.

Your interview game must be top notch for consulting, have great examples of working with stakeholders and partners, especially if you have experience working with industry.
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May 29th, 2020 8:24 pm
raichu1
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Oct 16, 2013
2409 posts
765 upvotes
New Brunswick

May 29th, 2020 8:24 pm

You can try policing in Toronto. I remember reading about PhDs on the force.
May 29th, 2020 9:43 pm
weedb0y
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Aug 6, 2001
17383 posts
5294 upvotes
Stuck in a Box

May 29th, 2020 9:43 pm

Consulting hires PhDs all the time. Better have strong communication skills though.

Strong command of language is a must.
+1
May 29th, 2020 10:06 pm
Cheapo-Findo
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Mar 9, 2007
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Think of the Childre…

May 29th, 2020 10:06 pm

Male Gigolo with PhD, good money!

WOULD SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!
May 31st, 2020 10:49 pm
Driverbe
Jr. Member
May 23, 2020
122 posts
47 upvotes

May 31st, 2020 10:49 pm

There’s an app called Fishbowl where you can ask consultants those questions.
Jun 1st, 2020 12:22 am
Jokkon
Sr. Member
May 24, 2007
550 posts
206 upvotes

Jun 1st, 2020 12:22 am

dentonic88 wrote: ↑ congratz on PhD. I cant provide any career assistance but remember of a guy who is a PhD in chemical engineering. He lives in Vancouver but could not get a job so he ended up doing stocks. Now he is a famous day trader and has written some books also, you can google him up. His name is andrew aziz

Wanted to say things often turn out to be different than we expect.
https://www.osler.com/en/team/andrew-w-aziz

This guy? Looks like a lawyer to me.
Jun 1st, 2020 11:02 am
Pimmypoo [OP]
Newbie
Jul 25, 2018
5 posts
4 upvotes

Jun 1st, 2020 11:02 am

bhrm wrote: ↑ Don't let the "you're too much in academia" be a barrier.

I currently recruit PhDs and researchers in tech, but past years I've recruited for biotech/pharma a little bit.

Your interview game must be top notch for consulting, have great examples of working with stakeholders and partners, especially if you have experience working with industry.
Thank you for your reply! Since you were involved directly in recruiting, do you mind sharing what you look for in a candidate?
I've read up on articles and such but it would be great to hear from someone with experiences.

I know some companies put your resume through an algorithm and look for keywords while others have someone sifting through. What kind you things do you look for when you were recruiting for biotech/pharma?
How do I get noticed enough to proceed to the interview stage?

Edit spelling/grammar

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