IRTG Alumni Career Advice 2/3 "Outside Academia"

Last night, at our second Alumni Career Advice Evening, four alumni shared their unique career paths with our current doctoral students. Except for one alumni, all directly transitioned into industry after completing their PhD, offering valuable perspectives on career choices beyond academia.
One key takeaway was the stark difference in time management between academia and industry—especially the detailed documentation required for client projects. Some alumni described the fast-paced nature of their roles, where they feel like they are writing an entire dissertation every three months!
Despite these challenges, all alumni expressed high satisfaction with their current careers and also have planned their next professional steps. They also highlighted the importance of funding opportunities within the IRTG AquaDiva, such as summer schools and specialized training, in shaping their journeys. Their gratitude for these support structures was a reminder of how crucial such initiatives are in career development.
We appreciate the openness and honesty of our speakers and are grateful for the meaningful discussions that took place. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this evening a success!