My Journey from Academia to Industry: A French Scientist's Quest

Embarking on a career path that bridges the gap between academic research and industry has been both a challenging and fulfilling adventure for me. As a French scientist, my journey from a deep academic background in life sciences to a career in industry has been a unique and insightful experience.

I was born and raised in France, where my academic journey began. I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Biology, followed by a master’s degree in Immunology, both from French universities. My wish for knowledge didn’t stop there; I earned my PhD in life sciences from the University of Lausanne.

It is at 25, that I decided to pursue a PhD. This decision was driven by my desire to live abroad and my love for laboratory experiments. The PhD journey was the easiest way to have the opportunity to live abroad, learning English and earning money while doing something that I love. I always knew my career path would lead me to the private sector, though I was equally passionate about working in a lab and doing science. My transition to industry began right after my PhD defense. This move was significantly influenced by my involvement with the BioScience Network Lausanne, where I served as member and president for 4 years, gaining exposure to the industry through various events and sponsorships.

During the events that we organized I heard multiple advice. But the important piece of advice that has guided me is understanding the role of luck in professional development and learning to create my own opportunities. Networking helps to attack luck. And understanding the importance of creating my own luck was crucial in securing my first job post-PhD.

It was through my associative work that I established the connection with my current team. I started as a trainee in Business Intelligence, which then evolved into a position as a project lead in Business Intelligence. For those who are wondering, every day I am using my background in life sciences at work. And every day I feed my curiosity exactly like during my thesis, if not even more. In my current role, I find immense joy in learning about new fields like BioTech, MedTech, Digital Health, coupled with the autonomy and supportive management.

There are myriad possibilities that await those who are willing to step out of the academic world and explore the diverse world of industry.