PostPhDirections

In this episode of PostPhDirections, I'm joined by my co-founder Angela Priest, who brings over 20 years of hiring experience across startups and big cooperates. We get into everything you need to know about the current job market — the honest, behind-the-scenes version.
We cover:
Why uncertainty has become the new normal for employers — and what that means for your job search
The AI shift: what "AI native" means in job descriptions and why it matters for you
Why your data fluency is one of the most in-demand skills right now (and why most PhDs don't even realize they have it)
The hottest roles for STEM PhDs in 2026: AI/ML, health tech, biotech & clinical research
The #1 skill listed in 85% of job descriptions — and why PhDs often struggle with it
How to make interviewers actually want to hire you (the unspoken criteria nobody talks about)
Why communication in industry means something completely different than it does in academia
If you're a PhD or postdoc thinking about making the leap, this episode is full of raw, practical insight from someone who's spent decades in the hiring room.
Connect with Angela Priest on LinkedInLearn more about Alma.me and our Job Accelerator Program: Follow Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow researcher — and please leave us a review. It's the easiest way to help other PhDs find this podcast. 💙

What if I told you one of the most powerful tools for landing your first industry job is completely free, takes 30 minutes, and most PhDs aren't using it?
I'm talking about coffee chats (aka informational interviews – but let's keep it casual).
When I was halfway through my PhD at Karolinska Institutet, I had that constant background noise: "What can I do after my PhD? Where do my skills fit? What if I don't want to stay at the bench?"
Starting conversations with people who'd already made the jump changed everything for me.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why coffee chats are my absolute favorite free tool for career transitions
The two main reasons PhDs should be doing these (and neither is "asking for a job")
Three strategies for finding people to talk to – even with zero network
The outreach message formula that actually gets responses (with examples)
What questions to ask that can't be Googled
How one PhD got a referral from a single coffee chat
Why "not everyone will reply" is totally normal (and what to do about it)
Here's the truth: You can read hundreds of job descriptions about data science or medical science liaison roles and still have no idea what it actually feels like to do the job. That information only comes from real people working in industry.
Stop sitting alone with your laptop feeling overwhelmed. Start having real conversations.
Your challenge this week: Reach out to ONE person and ask for ONE coffee chat. That's it. Share in the comments how it goes!
Ready for more support? Check out our Learning Platform (48-hour free trial) or Job Accelerator Program at www.alma.me
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok
You got this 💙

Does your first job after your PhD have to be perfect? Spoiler: No.
If you're finishing your PhD and stressing about finding the "perfect" industry job, this episode is for you. I break down why PhDs overthink this decision, how industry actually works (hint: you're NOT locked in for 5 years), and what really matters in your first role.
You'll hear:
Why the "perfect job" mindset comes from academic training
How industry turnaround times work (2 years is normal!)
A real story: PhD who pivoted after just 9 months
What to do if you don't like your first job
Why your first role is a stepping stone, not a destination
Your first job just needs to get you into industry. That's it. Stop overthinking and start moving forward.
Ready to make your transition? Check out our Job Accelerator Program at www.alma.me
Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Tiktok

Is your PhD work experience when applying for industry jobs? This is one of the most common questions PhDs ask when transitioning out of academia.In this video, I explain why the real issue isn’t a lack of work experience, but a misunderstanding of what industry actually means by “experience.” Industry employers care about applied skills, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and delivering outcomes—all of which you develop extensively during a PhD.You’ll learn:
What work experience really means in industry
Why a PhD is applied professional experience, not “just education”
How PhDs already solve real-world problems under uncertainty
Where your PhD belongs on your CV/resume
How to frame your PhD experience in a way industry understands
If you’re a PhD student, postdoc, or academic considering a move to industry, this video will help you stop underselling yourself and start positioning your experience with confidence.👉 Key takeaway: Your PhD is work experience - 100%. You just need to frame it the right way. Learn here how

Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and TiktokAnd if you need more support check out our work at www.alma.me

In this episode of PostPhDirections, Sophia Parks shares her journey from a decade in academia - spanning a PhD and two postdocs, including at Stanford - to a remote industry role in project management.
Despite strong credentials and years of grant-writing experience, Sophia found herself trapped in a system defined by funding uncertainty, external validation, and limited control over her future. After repeated grant rejections, job instability, and growing burnout - amplified by becoming a mother - she realized academia was no longer sustainable for the life she wanted.
After months of unsuccessfully applying to hundreds of industry roles on her own, Sophia joined the Alma.me Job Accelerator program, where she learned to reframe her academic experience and communicate her value in a new way.
Within weeks, she transitioned into industry. Looking back, she reflects on the deeper shift behind the move: releasing the belief that worth is tied to academic achievement and reclaiming agency over her time, energy, and career direction.
If you want to follow Sophias post academic life you can do that on Instagram where she runs an account focused on her new life in industry.

If you want to stay in touch with me (Elena) the best way to do so is via LinkedIn, Instagram or Tiktok.
And if you are looking for more hands on support check the Alma.Me website and see how we can help.