How to Transition from Academia to Industry: Embracing a New Mindset

Transitioning from academia to industry can be both exciting and daunting. I found myself facing this very challenge about 18 years ago, working as an Assistant Professor at Lund University after a longer period as a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute. Despite my achievements, I couldn’t help but wonder if I'd made the right choice. Somehow, I felt I had taken what felt like the "easy" path by choosing not to explore options beyond the academic horizon. While I had enjoyed my time as a Postdoc, my new role at Lund University didn’t give me the joy I had felt working as a full-time scientist. I found myself overwhelmed with too many tasks that didn’t bring the job satisfaction or passion I had hoped for. Teaching, academic administration, and institutional politics drained my energy, and the limited time I could devote to actual science wasn’t enough to balance out the more draining responsibilities.

So, at Lund University, I quickly discovered that leading a research group required an entirely different approach. I didn’t quite fit into this new environment; at least, that was what I felt. I missed the dynamic scientific discussions and the conferences where scientists met to discuss the latest trends and discoveries.  Maybe if I had taken a similar position elsewhere in Europe or the US, I would have stayed in academia, and my career and life would have looked differently. This is something I discuss with my clients as a career coach: the academic environment varies greatly by institution and country, and sometimes it’s the specific environment, rather than academia itself, that makes someone feel like they don’t belong. 

Over the last eight years, I’ve coached many PhDs and academic professionals looking to move to the industry starting a new career. The most common request I hear is, "Can you help me rewrite my CV?" My response is often, "Of course, but first, you need to understand the job market and identify a job field that matches your natural talents." Typically, candidates respond, "I’m open to anything." But that’s not the optimal reply to such a question. Companies don’t hire for “anything.” They want to know Who you are and what you want to do.

This initial exploration and self-assessment is absolutely essential for securing a job offer as quickly as possible. When the job search takes longer than expected, it’s often because this crucial step was overlooked. Skipping this foundational step is like trying to build a house without a solid base—it simply won’t hold up.

While these above questions seem straightforward, they’re indeed more challenging than they might seem. I know this because I couldn’t answer them clearly myself 18 years ago. However, some years later, as a recruiter and headhunter, I’ve met many academic professionals who struggle to articulate what they want and match it with market needs in the same way I did once. The reason why this question is so difficult is that it has many perspectives, but one is that the industry uses a different language and jargon. And that the jobs in the industry differ significantly from the academic ones. The first step is learning to translate your academic skills and experience into industry-friendly language so the industry understands the value you offer. This includes tailoring your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect this shift and preparing to present yourself confidently in person. It is also important to accept that you don't have to be an expert on your own career development, at least not to begin with. It’s perfectly acceptable to admit, "I’m still figuring out exactly what I want, but here’s what I know.” Employers aren’t looking for the perfect candidate; they’re looking for someone who fits well within their team and organization.

Building an Adaptive Job-Search Strategy

So, when I coach clients making this transition, we start by building a flexible, adaptive job-search strategy. In today’s digital age, this means using platforms and tools powered by AI. To succeed, you must collaborate with AI and understand the algorithms that influence your visibility on job sites and platforms such as LinkedIn. Here’s where adaptability comes in: you need to identify the job field you’re interested in, then align your skills, language, and keywords to fit that field, using various digital platforms and learning to use a more data-driven approach to measuring your improvements both application wise as well as developing yourself as a person. A great skill to develop is adaptability (AQ), and typical AQ characteristics that support your job search are, e.g., staying optimistic, GRIT, being willing to constantly learn, being able to take in completely but also the ability to ask for help.

It’s easy to feel like the job search is slow and unproductive at this early stage. Many of my clients find it challenging to see browsing the internet as a valuable step. But gathering information from digital platforms is crucial! Once you’ve cracked the code, you’ll be ready to tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to work for you around the clock. The rest of the journey focuses on analyzing results, optimizing strategies, practicing for interviews, and preparing video pitches. At this stage, you’re READY!

The Coach's Role in an Adaptive Job Search

As your coach, my role is to guide you through your adaptive job-search approach, ensure you stay on track, and be your biggest supporter but also challenge your belifes. My goal is to help you identify a field where recruiters and hiring managers are eager to hire you.

🚀 What I do -  I’ll support you in articulating, "I may not know the exact title fitting me and my background, but I know what motivates me, and these are the tasks that energize me." This helps hiring managers understand what drives you and why you'd be a great fit.

Common Pitfalls for Academics Transitioning to Industry

Transitioning from academia to industry requires a significant mindset shift. Here are some common pitfalls that can hinder success and the mindset shifts needed to overcome them:

1) Using AI to create a resume without tailoring it to the industry or job field – Simply translating an academic CV to a one-page resume without adapting it for industry needs won’t work.

2) Focusing on your expertise but lacking market insights—Knowing only your historical strengths without understanding labor market demands will limit your opportunities. Think about how your skills align with industry demands.

3) Ignoring the importance of AI-driven platforms – Many digital platforms rely on algorithms that control your visibility. Being unaware of this will limit your reach.

4) Striving to be the "perfect" candidate – Very few candidates perfectly match job descriptions. Focus instead on your natural talents, fit, and potential – Identify Your Natural Fit Job Field matching your drives.

5) Avoiding feedback and support – Many academics are used to working independently, but an adaptive job search requires collaboration, feedback, and support.

All of the above attitudes will block your career progress. My goal as your coach is to help you move toward a growth mindset where you’re open to new perspectives, eager to learn, and ready to have constructive dialogues (the academic way of arguing and discussing does not optimize your ability to learn and listen). When you shift your mindset, you will transform from an “expert” into a collaborator—someone who people want to share information with and welcome onto their team. Now you’re ready to sign a contract!

Top 5 Mindset Shifts for Academic Professionals

1) Embrace Digital Savvy – Job searching today requires digital awareness. Familiarize yourself with AI-driven platforms and understand how algorithms affect your visibility.

2) From Expert to Facilitator – Staying in the expert role can keep you stuck. Learn to ask questions and gain insights that help you understand labor market needs.

3) Adopt an Adaptive Career Approach – Instead of seeking perfection, optimize your approach. In today’s data-driven world, you can measure and refine your strategy.

4) Commit to Continuous Learning – Adaptability means always being open to feedback, willing to try new approaches, and learning from mistakes.

5) Know Your Natural Talents – Instead of claiming you're open to anything, clarify what makes you thrive. Employers want to know what energizes you.

Reflecting on my career transition, I realize that my biggest mistake was not conveying my value in terms that resonated with the industry. When I introduced myself as an Assistant Professor in RNA science, people assumed I wanted to stay in academia. Today, I realized I should have asked, "What types of roles are you hiring for over the next six months?" Followed by, “If I’m looking for a role focused on outreach, networking, or selling ideas, what kind of position might that be in your company?” This approach would have given me:

⚡Insight into relevant job titles

⚡A sense of hiring trends

⚡Ideas on suitable entry points

⚡Awareness of potential concerns

⚡Information to further adapt and optimize my job search

So, to summarize and conclude this article, I love to say that transitioning from academia to industry is challenging but incredibly rewarding. By shifting your mindset, you can open doors to new opportunities and many unseen possibilities you didn’t know existed. Remember, this journey isn’t about fitting into a template but discovering where your unique strengths and passions can shine. 

When you read this article, what do you feel? And what questions do you have for me as a career coach?

I am eager to learn from you how I can continue serving you!

Let me know what you think.

Tina Persson Ass. Prof and Coach at Passage2Pro AB

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