IRTG Alumni Career Advice 3/3 "Life in Science Management"

At our third Alumni Career Advice event, our two scientific coordinators shared their career journeys with our doctoral students. As trained biologists, they took us through their transition into coordination roles and highlighted how diverse and multifaceted their work is.
Scientific coordination involves a wide range of responsibilities, including project management, funding acquisition, event organization, and facilitating collaborations between researchers. While strong communication skills are essential, each coordinator shapes their role differently, focusing on specific areas based on their expertise and institutional needs.
The coordinators shared that the job often requires handling many small but crucial tasks, demanding flexibility and problem-solving skills. One PhD student summed it up perfectly: "So you are basically Swiss Army Knives." This analogy captures both the variety of responsibilities and the adaptability required in this profession. A big thank you to everyone who participated and we hope you enjoyed these insights.