One of the most significant decisions scientists face is choosing whether to pursue a career in industry or academia. While this decision is easy for some, it can be incredibly challenging for others. If you’ve struggled with this question of which career path you’ll choose after your formal education ends, you’re not alone.
There are several key differences between
working in industry and academia. It’s critical to understand these nuances and
consider your skills, qualifications, personality, and career goals when
deciding which path is right for you.
1. Responsibilities
Academic careers will vary, depending on the
size of an institution, but in an academic research career, most professionals have some version of the
following broad responsibilities:
- Applying for grants
- Conducting self-directed
research
- Publishing papers
- Teaching courses
- Mentoring students
- Performing departmental service
Working in “industry” can mean many things, as
the term encompasses all research work that occurs outside of universities.
Professionals who choose this route can work for small biotech startups,
mid-sized corporations, or even international organizations with thousands
of employees. The scope of work is typically focused on applied research that
will have direct value. Industry work also requires a more business-minded
approach. You must be able to develop projects that meet the company goals as you
support the company's business plan.
2. Flexibility
For some, an appealing aspect of working in
academia is the freedom to dictate your schedule, choosing when to teach,
conduct research, and publish your work. Not having to answer to anyone about
how you allocate your time also means you must be proficient in time management
and prioritization.
A business organization’s research lab is more
structured and typically revolves around a standard 9-to-5 workday. For some
people, this type of structure is preferable to ensure maximum productivity.
3. Collaboration
Academic research is mainly collaborative and
team-work oriented. An academic environment creates an extraordinary
opportunity for cross-disciplinary thinking and research. You can, however,
enjoy an immense sense of autonomy, should you choose, with the freedom to decide
when and with whom you collaborate.
In industry, researchers are working toward a
larger, shared goal. Due to the complex nature of drug discovery, there is much
collaboration across multiple functional areas and disciplines. Whereas
researchers in academia can be highly competitive, researchers must collaborate
and work as a team in the industry.
4. Workplace Culture
Academia is highly research and discovery
focused, and much research is done for the sake of learning, as opposed to
clinical application. In contrast, “industry” work allows researchers to feel a
sense of immediate impact on patient lives.
Both workplaces have their own share of
pressures and demands, as well. In academia, the researcher’s plight is often
“obtain funding and publish, or perish.” Academics are under immense pressure
to be self-starters, continually publish their research, and to promote and
advocate for their work.
The pressures are typically more
deadline-driven in industry, as teams work to integrate science and
business-focused problem solving on tight project timelines following larger
product and business goals. Thus, it’s crucial for people working in the industry
to be excellent communicators and have sharp people skills to manage projects.
The pace of work also differs between industry
and academia. In contrast to the fast-paced nature of drug development,
academic timelines tend to be longer and focused more on long-term goals and
education.
5. Individual Impact
As an academic, you’ll typically not have
quarterly deadlines to meet, monthly reports to file, or a superior that you’re
being held directly accountable to. Thus, the ability to make an
individual impact and receive recognition for your work can be greater than in
industry, where you are a single member working on behalf of an organization.
The flip side, however, is that academics can
struggle to have their ideas adopted in practice. In contrast, the work that
that industry researchers do is often directly motivated by business goals.
Although this does remove a measure of autonomy, the positive aspect is
that research results are often immediately and directly
impactful. To work in the industry, one must be willing to work on a team
and share credit. This teamwork aspect can also take off some of the pressure
of having to achieve results individually.
6. Intellectual Freedom
In academia, professionals enjoy intellectual
freedom, free from the constraints of short-term deadlines and answering those
setting the research priorities. This allows individuals to choose what they
would prefer to spend their time researching and how to pursue it. With this
freedom also comes the responsibility of securing funding and resources.
When working in the industry, most work is
done on a quick timeline and is driven by a product or business goal. This type
of clear direction can be very appealing to some researchers, while others may
see it as a hindrance to their ability to investigate their own areas of
personal interest. A benefit of working in the industry is that the larger
organization will supply the funding and more state-of-the-art resources.
7. Career Advancement
Generally speaking, an academic research
scientist’s career moves one of two directions—toward tenure and professorship
or toward work as an academic staff scientist. The career ladder can be
difficult if only a handful of universities may specialize in your discipline
or are actively hiring in a given year. There is great job security, however,
if you achieve tenure.
However, industry career opportunities are
broader and can range from research at the bench to work in product marketing
or development. In industry, you also have the opportunity to climb the
organizational ladder to manage larger teams and projects.
How to Decide Whether Academia or Industry Is
Right for You
Ultimately, the choice between academia and an
industry research lab involves many compromises, and the best “fit” for you
will likely depend on your individual preference and working style.
Here are some factors to consider before
heading down either career path:
- Determine your priorities. Consider what matters most to you. Whether you’re
most concerned about salary potential, intellectual freedom, or
flexibility, it’s important to do some soul-searching to decide what you
value most.
- Think about how you want to spend your time. Consider how you want to spend your time day-to-day. Think about how you feel about teaching,
publishing, managing, interacting, traveling, negotiating, collaborating,
presenting, reporting, reviewing, fundraising, etc.
- Know your strengths. Are you a self-starter who can proactively manage your own time? Or do you prefer to work in a more structured, process-oriented
environment? Knowing your strengths can help direct you to the path that will increase your chances of success.
- Factor in your personality. Do you prefer to work independently, or do you thrive when working alongside others? Are you comfortable with self-promotion, or would you be more comfortable sharing your successes with a team?
- Think long-term, but keep your options open. Where do you see yourself in five years? 10? 20? Think about where you’d like to be long-term, but remember the choice you make is merely for the next step in your career.
It doesn’t have to be final. The field is currently more conducive to transitions between the two fields more than ever before.
- Be true to yourself. Most of all, be honest with yourself. Stay true to who you are, and consider what you are most passionate about. If you do
this, you will find success in whichever path you choose.
