Post: #1

It is always useful to hear success stories of others, ideally from more experienced people in the late 30ies or older.

Curious to hear what and how you did it, what were your challenges and rewards in transitioning from science to your new career?

Did you build a business on the side, took a second job or training?

Post: #2

Roosh.

Post: #3

I'm interested in this too. Especially from guys with PhDs.

Post: #4

I am the one who knocks.

Post: #5

(11-30-2014 11:37 AM)Ensam Wrote:  I'm interested in this too. Especially from guys with PhDs.

After my PhD I quit the lab and accepted an office job, basically a content buyer position for a media company. I get to travel to conferences, talk to professors and negotiate contracts. Good learning experience for some time. It is still mostly a desk job, and the career options are limited. Especially not really performance-based or scalable (fixed salary and a small bonus).

The Walter White option is always there, of course...

Post: #6

(11-30-2014 12:20 PM)Chase Wrote:  

(11-30-2014 11:37 AM)Ensam Wrote:  I'm interested in this too. Especially from guys with PhDs.

After my PhD I quit the lab and accepted an office job, basically a content buyer position for a media company. I get to travel to conferences, talk to professors and negotiate contracts. Good learning experience for some time. It is still mostly a desk job, and the career options are limited. Especially not really performance-based or scalable (fixed salary and a small bonus).

The Walter White option is always there, of course...

Yeah, I could always move to Colorado and do the Walter White thing semi legitimately (my skill set fits very well with making edibles).

I'd like to get into the startup game but I'm struggling with giving up my salary and benefits. I'd need to be making ~140-150k/year for it to justify the risk. I'm thinking about maybe shifting to independent consulting which would allow me to keep the salary going even if I had to accept a lower base pay at a startup. I think I could probably make $200-300/hr consulting in my field (that's what my company pays our consultants) but I'm not sure how much work there actually is.