Kathleen Gwynn
Kirsch Foundation
What Else Can I Do?:
Exploring Opportunities in
Business and Management
T
he logical answer to “What are you going to do
when you finish your doctorate?” is research and,
possibly, teaching. But you may wonder—as you
look for the right postdoc position or later in your
career—“what else is out there?”
The good news is that there are options, although
few paths are as clear as that of research in academia or
industry. Despite the hardships and pitfalls you can
encounter in securing a full-time research position, you
know the drill through your mentors and advisors who
know how to work the system and help you with rec-
ommendations and connections.
If you are contemplating a career in business or man-
agement, connections may not be as readily available.
Ask yourself: How do I know whether it’s a good fit for
me? How do I get the training or education I need? Can
I make it without formal training?Management and Business
“Business” and “management” are often used inter-
changeably. “Management” is the art and science of
judiciously using resources to accomplish an end; it
often assumes that you are leading a team or group of
people to accomplish a goal. “Business” refers to a com-
mercial enterprise that expects to be profitable. You can
be in business without being a manager. You can be a
manager without working at a commercial enterprise.
What does it take to be successful?CHAPTER 6 • CAREER TRANSITION 189Your scientific education and
training has demanded analytical
skills, project planning and strong
intellectual aptitude. These are easily
transferable to the business world.