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January 27, 2025

Making the Leap from Academia to Industry

For many in academia, the idea of leaving the classroom or research lab for an industry role can feel both exciting and overwhelming. At Veris Insights, we often see candidates with academic backgrounds applying for research roles—eager to make the leap but unsure how to navigate the transition. In fact, a significant number of our own team members have made this shift, bringing their academic expertise into impactful industry roles. It’s a challenge we hear about often, and one we’re passionate about helping candidates overcome.

In this blog, we’re breaking down the biggest challenges of transitioning from academia to industry and sharing practical advice to help you take that next step with confidence.

 

1. Finding Industry Career Paths

One of the toughest parts of transitioning from academia is figuring out what career options are out there. Many industries use unfamiliar terminology, making it hard to know how your academic background fits in.

How to Tackle It: Start by exploring early. Reach out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn who’ve made the leap into industry. Set up informational interviews to learn about their roles and how they got there. You might uncover career paths you didn’t even know existed.

 

2. Building Connections Outside Academia

Networking is often overlooked by those in academia, but it’s one of the most critical steps when transitioning to industry. Many opportunities come through connections, not just job boards, and building relationships early can give you an edge.

How to Tackle It: Start small but intentional. Attend industry events, join LinkedIn groups, and reach out to professionals in roles you’re interested in. Networking isn’t just about finding jobs – it’s about gaining insights into industry trends, learning what employers value, and building relationships that might support your career down the line.

 

3. Translating Academic Work for Industry

Crafting a resume that works for industry is very different from an academic one. In industry, hiring managers care about what skills you bring, like critical thinking, project management, and data analysis, and how these skills translate into real-world impact.

How to Tackle It: Avoid focusing solely on research topics or academic jargon. Instead, highlight transferable skills and measurable outcomes. For example, instead of “Conducted research on X,” reframe it as “Led a data-driven research initiative, resulting in actionable insights on X.”

 

4. Navigating Behavioral Interviews

If you’re used to academic panels, behavioral interviews can feel completely new. These interviews focus on how you’ve handled challenges and worked with others.

How to Tackle It: Practice using the STAR method to frame your answers. Your thesis or dissertation can be a great example to draw from – but make sure to focus on the process and skills, not just the topic itself. For example, explain how you managed competing deadlines, overcame roadblocks during your research, or collaborated with peers or advisors to refine your work. Highlight transferable skills like problem-solving, project management, and resilience, and frame them in a way that’s relevant to the role you’re applying for.

(Unfamiliar with behavioral interviews? We have a whole blog dedicated to walking you through them!)

 

5. Adjusting to a New Work Culture

The shift from academia to industry can be a cultural adjustment. Timelines are often tighter, teamwork is emphasized, and communication styles are more direct.

How to Tackle It: Be open to feedback and ready to adapt. If you’re unsure about something, ask questions. Lean on colleagues for support and take time to learn the tools and workflows your new team uses.

 

 

Making the leap from academia to industry can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise in new and impactful ways. At Veris Insights, we’ve worked alongside team members who have successfully made this transition. While this guide offers practical advice, you can hear their personal stories and insights here!

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