Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower
(ed) Cynthia Robbins-Roth
1998 Academic Press 270pp $29.95pb
Genevieve Haddad is typical of many scientists. She did a degree, a PhD and a post-doc, but then realized she did not want to spend the next few years of her life “getting to know more and more about less and less”. She liked the intellectual thrill of research, but hated doing experiments, which she found boring and frustrating. But when she told her university colleagues that she wanted to do something outside academia, they thought her “crazy at best and a traitor at worst”.
Despite the prejudice she experienced in contemplating a career beyond research, Haddad persevered and soon broke free from the post-doc trap by finding a job as a research manager in the US Air Force. She now runs a $5m science programme, travels extensively, interacts with a wide variety of scientists – and earns $100 000 to boot. As far as Haddad is concerned, she can now influence the course of science, not simply through one discovery or research project, but by directing an entire research programme in the direction she wants.
Haddad is just one of 24 scientists in this book who describe how they abandoned university life in search of different – but equally enjoyable – careers in the outside world. Edited by a bioscientist who left academia to join the biotechnology industry before starting her own consultancy and publishing business, the book includes the stories of scientists who became entrepreneurs, financial advisers, venture capitalists and patent officers, as well as those who transformed into publishers, consultants, journalists and policy experts.
The scientists describe how they changed their careers, what skills they need and what a typical day for them is like. They also offer practical advice on salaries, promotion prospects and career structures. One problem with the book is that all but two of the authors are life scientists, which means that one of the most lucrative careers for physicists – working as a “rocket scientist” on the international money markets – is not covered. Nevertheless, the accounts are well written, honest and open, and offer plenty of insight into the lives of those who have dared to break free from the ivory tower.
