Adèle Rakotonirina, PhD - Business Development Manager
Adèle Rakotonirina, PhD - Junior Business Development Manager at Glatt Pharmaceutical Services CDMO
Where are you from and what is your educational background?
I was born and raised in Madagascar. I studied at a school accredited by the French government and obtained my high school diploma in 2013, with a focus on science, physics, and chemistry. I then went to Geneva for no less than 10 years, where I studied Pharmacy and also did my PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology.
Why did you decide to pursue the PhD journey?
It’s not anything grandiose or altruistic, but very practical. At the end of our Pharmacy studies, we were left with three main career choices: working in a pharmacy, in a hospital, or in industry/research. I did not want to work in a pharmacy or a hospital, so you can guess where I ended up. To be fair, a PhD is not necessary to enter industry, but I was interested in getting a peek at academia, and the positions in the industries I was interested in strongly recommended having a PhD. It was a good mix of circumstances, let’s say.
It is often said that the PhD is a marathon, not a sprint. What are your thoughts about it?
Most definitely one of the most grueling marathons one could do. A PhD is not for the faint of heart—"I don’t know what to do with my life, so why not do a PhD" or "I just need the diploma"—these are not the best intentions to go into it. There are two types of people I encountered who do PhDs: the true nerds, who live for their passion for science—kudos to them—and the stubborn ones, who persevere even though they suffer with every breath while getting fed up with their project. The wonders of doing a PhD lie in learning so much about yourself, your values, your strengths/weaknesses, and your boundaries. I mostly learned about letting go and accepting there are things I cannot influence. Doing science is accepting that sometimes the stars need to align for something to work. You are working on a process for two years; it never worked, and one day, suddenly it worked, even though you used the same products, from the same batch, and the same machines for the same process… it’s mad. Perseverance is key, and you definitely need to like your subject, because accepting having more failures than successes for something you are not passionate about is the key to self-hatred and self-destruction.
When did you decide that you didn’t want to pursue an academic career?
As previously mentioned, I wanted to take a peek at what academia could offer, but I was mostly interested in industry positions even before starting my PhD.
When did you transition into industry?
I was fortunate enough to find an industry position within six months after graduating from my PhD.
What is your current position?
I am currently a Junior Business Development Manager.
Is your job related to what you have done during your PhD?
Not really. I worked on solid oral formulations during my PhD but not using the technology my current company specializes in. In terms of technical knowledge, I think what I did as a teaching assistant really made a difference in my application for this specific company, as I specialized in traditional solid oral formulations. But you could say I made a double transition, jumping from academia to industry, but also from being a scientist to Sales & Marketing. What surely made a huge difference was my communication activities and my participation in the competitions "Ma thèse en 180 secondes" and "FameLab."
Which are the aspects that you like the most about your job?
It has been three months since I started, so it is a bit difficult to answer, but let’s say I love meeting new people. I also love science communication, so bridging the gap between Marketing and Scientists is really exciting.
How has your work-life balance changed since moving to industry?
Since I moved to another country, with a new language to learn, new people to meet, and all the administrative work around it, for now my schedule is as terrifying as during my PhD. But I can definitely say the load of work on my mental health is much lower. During my PhD, I maintained a clear boundary and ensured I didn’t work too much overtime. I didn’t check emails on off days, but I still constantly thought and stressed about my project in the back of my mind. At least right now, it’s not the case at work, and I appreciate that.
How did you adapt to the cultural and operational differences between academia and industry?
There is a clear shift in mentality and priorities from academia to industry. I had to learn to get straight to the point, without necessarily investigating every single possibility, as we often do in academia as researchers. It does not mean there is no rigor in industry; it’s just different, and you have to reevaluate your sense of priorities. I also had to quickly take initiative and responsibility without doubting my skills or my legitimacy in this new environment. This differs from one person to another, but fighting impostor syndrome happens more often than not, and that’s a battle I fight every day. The adaptability and ability to learn things quickly as a PhD is a great asset to have!
How difficult was it to gain the required knowledge when you first started your current position?
My personality made things easier for me in the beginning, to be honest. Getting to do something you appreciate and have an affinity for helps significantly. But as I said, I am still learning, even though there are things I “know how to do,” so it keeps things dynamic.
What was your experience concerning the transition into industry? What were some of the challenges you faced during your transition?
The transition itself was not as abrupt as I imagined it would be. I was fortunate enough to land in a nice company compatible with some of my core values, and my caring colleagues made my transition smoother. This aspect is often underestimated, but please make sure you end up somewhere you feel comfortable! However, it was a thorny path. As a non-EU citizen, despite studying for ten years in Switzerland and obtaining all my university degrees there, I couldn’t be picky and faced several rejections explicitly due to my nationality. I had to leave the country six months after graduating. Fortunately, I found a job elsewhere, and my current biggest challenges are adjusting to a new country, learning new laws, dealing with new administrative work, with no one I know, and learning a new language and culture… Moving countries is exciting, but these aspects add challenges to the transition, so be sure to take them into account.
What helped you before the transition ?
Going to career events was quite helpful to get a feel for what kind of positions exist in industry. However, networking of any type—be it events, workshops, courses in a topic you’re interested in, or surrounding yourself with like-minded people—makes a difference. Networking doesn’t necessarily land you a job, but learning from others’ experiences is valuable, and you never know who will be able to help you or whom you might work with in the future.
Which personal/soft skills helped you during your transition into industry?
We often talk about what we learn during the PhD, but I think the activities outside my PhD played a big role in developing my soft skills. I tried all sorts of activities and subsequently surrounded myself with people from different backgrounds, ages, and career paths. I also mostly pursued new activities and put myself in challenging situations to foster my personal growth. Through this, I learned how to communicate effectively with all sorts of people, how to feel less overwhelmed in new environments, and to always put things into perspective while being open to continuous learning.
What advice made the difference in your professional development?
Being surrounded by caring colleagues and managers, working in a company that shares your values, being open to change and learning new skills, and having confidence in your abilities without becoming complacent or arrogant are things I will always keep in mind. It is also okay to ask for help, which I am still working on. Having carried a PhD project alone for a long time makes it difficult, but any small request for help matters, and if you are dismissed for it, it’s not a place where you should stay.
Did you do one or multiple internships before being hired for a permanent job?
I was fortunate enough to find a job in the industry a few months after completing my PhD. The Swiss unemployment agencies offer different courses to help you find a job, to develop soft skills, hard skills, or even learn a language. I refreshed my knowledge of the German language through the unemployment courses program, and I am now working in Germany!
What advice would you give to PhDs and postdocs looking for opportunities outside academia or in industry?
Reach out to people working in the field, ask them about their journey and job, and read testimonials here on Lormina. It’s even better if you connect with people who transitioned from academia to industry in the specific field you’re aiming for. And be perseverant! It only takes one person to see and appreciate your potential.
If you could go back, would you change anything about your career path?
If you asked me during my PhD, I might have hesitated, but now, I don’t think I would change a thing. I’m quite happy with what I’ve achieved and who I’ve become so far, and I look forward to what the future holds. Sometimes, I wish I had pursued something drastically different, like Performing Arts though!
What can I wish you for the next coming years?
Good physical and mental health, success in my first job, settling into this new country I am in, and hopefully to inspire people in one way or another!
Adèle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-rakotonirina/
