As a science-trained professional, you may sometimes feel like the universe is playing a trick on your career. After all, it’s not always easy transitioning from an academic world, where you were possibly groomed for scarce jobs in academia, to the outside world where it seems like you need to locate those elusive opportunities everyone talks about.
But hold on a minute, you’ve got a hidden superpower: the ability to experiment.
You see, you’ve got a goldmine of skills as a science-trained professional – and I’m not just talking about your critical thinking, problem-solving, or creativity that employers so desperately want. I’m talking about your expertise in experimentation. Yes, you can actually approach your career like one big science experiment. The same analytical, methodical, and innovative approach you bring to the lab can be your guiding star in the career world.
My own career journey led me to a similar revelation. I used to think that every career choice was a do-or-die situation – one false move and I’d be career toast.
That’s when I discovered the book “Designing Your Life,” which completely changed my perspective. It suggested that life and career can be viewed as a series of experiments, each one revealing a little more about what works and what doesn’t. It’s all about trying out different paths, iterating, and evolving.
It struck me that as scientists, we already embrace this approach in our work. So why not apply it to our careers too?
Here’s how you can harness this experimental mindset for your career development.
Your career is a journey
First, think of your career as a journey with multiple potential destinations. Instead of following a linear path, you have the freedom to explore different routes and find the one that suits you best. Each step you take is an experiment, a chance to learn and adapt.
What career goal excites you?
Start with a career goal that excites you. Then, break it down into small, actionable steps that move you towards that goal. Instead of making a drastic career shift, conduct mini-experiments. Volunteer at an event, take a short course, or network with professionals in the field. These small actions let you test your career hypotheses without committing fully.
Test. Observe. Analyze. Refine.
Observe the outcomes of these experiments. What did you enjoy? What didn’t meet your expectations? Use this feedback to refine your approach and experiment further. It’s okay to change directions or make mistakes – that’s how you learn and uncover new opportunities.
As you continue experimenting and adapting, you’ll gain deeper insights into your preferences and values. Your career path will become a dynamic, evolving journey, revealing possibilities you might not have considered before.
So, next time you’re feeling stuck in your career, remember your hidden superpower of experimentation. Embrace uncertainty, take small steps, and explore different paths. After all, life itself is one big experiment, and you have unique skills to navigate it.
