‘Be a problem-solver, not a job-seeker:’ how to pivot from academia to industry

About this episode

Gertrude Nonterah discusses strategies for researchers to transition from academia to industry, emphasizing problem-solving and networking.

Gertrude Nonterah helps researchers step off the academic hamster wheel and seek opportunities beyond their specialty. She does this by tapping into her personal experiences of losing a postdoctoral position when her lab leader’s funding ran out, followed by a role at a biotechnology company that ended after two months.   Nonterah now works in medical communications and career counselling through The Bold PhD, a consultancy she set up in 2021, and a podcast, which she launched last year. Her 2025 book, Navigating the Pivot, promises strategies and insights to power career transitions from academia.   In the third episode of a podcast series focused on books about the scientific workplace, Nonterah, who is based in San Diego, California, tells Holly Newson how to tailor a CV or resume for industry employers. Instead of focusing on publications, she urges industry job applicants to show evidence of problem-solving, a highly-prized skill in the sector. Another thing to include are examples of communicating their research to people beyond their academic specialty. Nonterah then emphasizes the importance of networking, describes strategies to counter imposter syndrome…

People in this episode

Host: Holly Newson

Guest: Gertrude Nonterah

Topics covered

• career transition
• academia to industry
• problem-solving
• networking
• imposter syndrome
• medical communications

Keywords

• career transition
• academic jobs
• biotechnology
• resume tips
• networking strategies
• imposter syndrome
• medical communications

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Bold PhD

Books & works: Navigating the Pivot

Places: San Diego, California

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