Soft Skills for ScientistsSoft Skills for Scientists

ByGina Stewart. You’re a science Ph.D. seeking a job outside academe, but you’re not sure you have the requisite skills. The good news is you’re probably more prepared than you think. Nonacademic hirers want people who are self-starters and who can work independently. You already possess all of these skills, and more. As a Ph.D. scientist, you’re capable of asking and answering important questions that build on current knowledge and advance our understanding of our world. You’re accustomed to coming up with and testing hypotheses, gathering and interpreting data, and communicating the results—both positive and negative. And you know how to manage a project, raise funds, and present your ideas at conferences. All of these skills are transferable to a number of professions outside academe, including industrial research, policy and think-tank work, business administration, and patent law. Read more...