When computer scientists collaborate with our Software Campus corporate partners on projects, they gain valuable insights into the practical applications of their research. However, if they decide to pursue a non-academic career after completing their PhD, they often struggle to adapt to this 'new world'. Skills like presenting their skills in a CV in a way that is understandable and appealing to recruiting teams or preparing properly for the inevitable job interview, need to be learned and sharpened. Yet these very skills often seem to go underdeveloped throughout the academic career.
To raise awareness of the issues of transitioning into the private sector and provide practical support, we invited our participants to the workshop “Beyond Academia: Career Transition Workshop for AI Researchers” in the Dockland, Hamburg. The workshop was a joint event offered by Women in AI Hamburg, Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC), AI Grid, and supported by NORDAKADEMIE and Software Campus.
The event started with personal career insights from
- Arne Ewald, Professor for Data Science at NORDAKADEMIE Hochschule der Wirtschaft
- Madhura Thosar, Senior Data Scientist at Jungheinrich Digital Solutions AG & Co. KG
- -Ing. Maryna Feierabend, Digital Innovation & Enterprise AI Lead at Hamburger Energiewerke GmbH
These valuable insights were followed by small-group sessions, in which the participants reflected on their own path and skills, supported by two mentors in each group. Former Software Campus participants Dr. Marion Wiese and Dr. Laura Seiffe, together with our project manager Dr. Natalia Teixeira Silva, joined as mentors. The necessity of addressing these soft skills is often lost, since normally it is a quiet learning process which every person goes through by themselves, as some mentors noticed. With their own very special professional journeys and having experienced this career transition themselves, they shared their insights with around 50 attendees who may soon be taking this step themselves.
The mentors encouraged the participants to explore the opportunities available and consider the options other than the “obvious”. They also pointed out that, although transitions and stepping out of the comfort zone can feel daunting at first, nobody must do it alone. Building a strong, safe network is key to feeling confident when taking the next steps. It is also important to recognise the value and expertise that professionals with an academic background bring to the table. Although it may sound like a cliché, you can only convince others once you know it yourself.
Special thanks go to all the mentors who shared their insights and to all the partners who helped organise this workshop!
© Alina Zaslavska
