Outward – Explore career possibilities

Broaden your perspectives

You might assume that an MD is destined to work as a clinician or that someone with a PhD in lab research is confined to a scientist role in academia or industry.. However, don´t limit yourself to the most obvious choices. PhDs from medical faculties often work in a wide range of sectors and take on diverse roles.

Reading job descriptions is a great way to explore which positions might interest you and what skills and qualifications are required. Don’t let the listed requirements intimidate you - remember, it’s rare to meet every single criterion in a job posting. Unexpected opportunities may arise, so embrace uncertainty and remain open to new paths. You may even find that an existing position isn’t what you’re after and instead choose to create your own business. 

• Try out the PhD Career Choice Indicator at BioScience Careers blog.
• Read career portraits on Karolinska Institutet's blog.
• What do research staff do next? Career stories from Vitae.org
• Career stories: doctoral entrepreneurs (Vitae.org)

Write an action plan

Start by writing down the steps you need to take to move toward your desired career. Who should you reach out to? What information are you missing, and how will you obtain it? What preparations are necessary? What kind of support do you need? Most importantly, set a clear timeline—when will you take your first step?

If you find it difficult to put your plans into action, it may help to identify what’s holding you back. We often procrastinate on tasks that aren’t urgent or that seem challenging, but remember, every journey begins with a single small step. Break your long-term goal into smaller, manageable tasks and focus on one at a time. 

Use and expand your network

Networking might not be everyone’s favorite activity, but it’s a critical step in exploring career options and securing a job. Many roles outside academia are filled through networking and personal connections, rather than formal recruitment channels.

Consider people who can offer insights or introduce you to new contacts. Your current network is likely larger than you think, especially if you take into account so-called "weak ties"—people you haven’t interacted with recently or those you know only casually. It’s also worth investing time in expanding and nurturing your network. LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for tracking both old and new contacts, as well as for connecting with people in their network.

Don’t hesitate to ask for information—most people are happy to help if it doesn’t take too much time. A great way to learn about different career paths is through informational interviews. Speak with professionals who have jobs that interest you to find out what drives them, and what it took for them to reach their position.

• The Surprising Reason Your Networking Isn’t Working (article about weak ties)
• How Your Network Can Help You Change Career Paths (article at Forbes.com)
• Informational Interviews and Job Shadowing (article at Nature.com)