CareerCatalystLab

Get all the Free materials with one click. Start your transition journey by informing yourself on your options. The package includes: 1. Entry Roles in Industry for PhDs and Post-Docs (some relevant for MSc, too) - full access 2. Transferable Skills Guide - full access 3. Preview of Application Toolkit - full guide is premium 4. Your Roadmap to Marketing Jobs in Life Sciences - full free guide as an example 5. Preview of Product Management Jobs in Life Sciences - full roadmap is premium 6. Preview of R&D Jobs in Life Sciences- full roadmap is premium 7. Preview of Technical Field Jobs in Life Sciences - full roadmap is premium 8. LinkedIn Networking Guide - full access 9. Interview Prep Checklist - full access

Skip-MBA Crash Course The Industry Operating System for Scientists You spent years learning how to do science in a lab, but you didn’t get exposure to how Life Sciences companies work and how you can build your career there. That's why many scientists struggle when transitioning into industry. Obviously not because they lack technical expertise, but because they have not experienced to the business side of innovation. Skip-MBA is a practical crash course designed for scientists who want to transition into Life Sciences industry roles and succeed once they get there. Whether you're targeting roles in R&D, Product Management, Field Application Science, Technical Support, Marketing, Sales, or other industry entry-level functions, this program will help you understand how companies create value, make decisions, and evaluate talent. Instead of spending years and six figures on a generic MBA, you'll learn the specific concepts that matter in the Life Sciences industry from someone who has worked across strategy, M&A, commercial, and innovation-focused roles AND HIRED team members and colleagues into these roles. What Makes Skip-MBA Different? Most career resources focus on getting you an interview. Skip-MBA focuses on helping you understand the industry itself. Landing the job is only the first step in your long successful high-pay career. To thrive in industry, you need to understand: How products move from idea to marketHow Life Sciences companies generate revenueHow different functions work together around the Product LifecycleWhat hiring managers look for in STEM candidatesHow to communicate beyond science and learn industry lingoHow to navigate stakeholder conversations and workplace dynamics This is the knowledge many professionals spend years learning on the job. You'll learn it before you even start. What You'll Learn Industry Fundamentals How the Life Sciences innovation ecosystem worksProduct lifecycle and commercializationThe role of customers, markets, and competitionBasic financial concepts directly relevant to these roles Career Transition Strategy How to translate your academic experience into business valueHow to position yourself for industry hiring managersNetworking strategies that lead to introductions and referralsHow to communicate your expertise in business language Understanding Industry Roles Gain practical insight into: Product ManagementResearch & DevelopmentField Application ScienceSales & Account ManagementMarketing Learn what these professionals actually do, what skills they use daily, and how to position yourself for these career paths. Workplace Readiness Many scientists underestimate the importance of communication and stakeholder management. You'll learn practical approaches for: Handling objectionsNavigating difficult conversationsManaging conflicts professionallyWorking with non-technical stakeholdersBuilding credibility in corporate environments Included in the Program Career Options in Life Sciences MasterclassIndustry Transition Application ToolkitFive Role-Specific Career ToolkitsCV Templates for Industry ApplicationsCover Letter TemplatesQuestion Banks for Your PositioningNetworking Strategy TrackerMBA Decision ToolkitWorkplace Readiness Toolkit “Don’t Lose It. Use It”Two Live Group Q&A Sessions For Scientists Who Want More Than Just a Job This program is for scientists who want to understand how the industry works, communicate with confidence, and build a long-term fulfilling career in Life Sciences with 6-digits paychecks. The most successful industry professionals aren't necessarily the smartest scientists. They're the scientists who understand both science and business.   Disclaimer: this course doesn't give a certificate, it is not an accredited program. It's what I wish I knew when exiting my PhD and applying into Life Sciences industry roles (unsuccessfully). It took me a full MBA and lot's of luck to transition. But it doesn't need to be that complex. Now that I worked 10+ years in industry, been in these roles myself and hired into them, - I know what's needed to get there and grow.

Exclusive 1:1 Mentorship Program 3 spots available for June This is not generic career advice. This is tailored, hands-on guidance designed around you regardless if you're at MSc, PhD or Post-Doc level. If you’re trying to break into the life sciences industry but feel stuck between roles, unclear positioning, or lack of direction, this program gives you a clear, personalized roadmap and the tools to execute it. What you’ll get 1. Strategy Call (30 min 1:1)We start with you: your ambitions, your background, your skills. Together, we identify 1–2 specific entry roles in life sciences companies that actually fit your profile and give you the highest chance of success. ATTENTION: You will choose among Product Management, R&D, Sales, Marketing and FAS in Life Sciences - this is very specific. If you're going to MSL or Pharma roles for example, this program is not the right fit. 2. Targeted Homework + Career Toolkit Access (2-3 hours of your time)You’ll receive curated materials from my Career Toolkit Collection, tailored to the roles we selected. You will: Understand what these roles really requirePosition your experience strategicallyBuild a strong, industry-ready CV and application 3. Application Review Call (30 min 1:1)We refine everything together. Review your CV and applicationStrengthen your positioning and messaging to grow your network and leverage referrals when the time comesMake sure you highlight your most valuable, transferable skills 4. Networking Strategy Call (30 min 1:1)This is where most people fail and I make sure you won’t. We will: Identify the right LinkedIn profiles to targetCraft personalized outreach messagesDefine your strategy for both online and in-person networkingPrepare you for industry events with confidence The Outcome You leave these conversation with: A clear target role (or roles) in the Life Sciences industryA strong, tailored applicationA networking strategy for LinkedIn and real life You’ll be fully equipped to enter your target role in the Life Sciences industry. Limited Availability for this high-touch, personalized program because my time is premium. Only 3 spots are available for June. If you’re serious about making the transition, now is the time. Secure your spot before they’re gone.

Should You Do an MBA? The Decision Toolkit for STEM Researchers Model your career like a business case. An MBA can cost you six figures, 1 to 2 years of income, and massive opportunity cost. Yet many STEM professionals make this decision emotionally instead of financially. This toolkit shows you how to evaluate your MBA decision the same way Life Sciences companies evaluate investments: You are the asset.Your career is the project.Your salary is the cash flow. Built specifically for PhDs, postdocs, and scientists considering business careers, this guide combines real industry insight, MBA experience, and step-by-step financial modeling so you can make a rational, data-driven decision. What You’ll Learn InsideUnderstand Where an MBA Actually Matters Which Life Sciences roles truly benefit from an MBA (Strategy, Corporate Development, Leadership)Where skills matter more than the title (Product Management, Marketing, Sales)When an MBA is overkill and when it accelerates your trajectory Real MBA Insights From the Inside Based on my HEC Paris MBA and 10+ years in Life Sciences industry, you’ll learn: What business skills actually changed my careerWhat MBAs don’t teach you but industry will demandWhy some MBA graduates succeed fast while others struggle to monetize the degree Build Your Personal MBA Business Case (You'll Get an Excel Framework to Toggle in YOUR numbers) You’ll learn how to model three scenarios: Stay in your current roleTransition into industry without an MBADo an MBA and aim for higher leadership roles Using financial concepts explained in simple language (that you'll need later on the job) you will: Project your long-term salary growthInclude all hidden MBA costs Apply realistic risk assumptionsCompare scenarios financially and objectively No finance background required. The Excel logic is explained step by step. Who This Toolkit Is For This guide is built for you if you are: A PhD, postdoc, or STEM professional considering business rolesThinking about doing an MBA but unsure if the ROI makes senseAlready in industry and wondering if an MBA is the right next moveAmbitious about leadership, income growth, and long-term career strategy Why This Is Different From Generic MBA Advice It is built from: Real hiring experience inside Life Sciences companiesReal post-MBA career outcomesReal financial modeling logic used in corporate decision-making What You’ll Walk Away With After completing this toolkit, you will: Know whether an MBA makes financial sense for YOUR situationUnderstand alternative paths that may outperform an MBA ROIHave a personalized career investment framework you can reuse for future decisionsThink like a business leader instead of reacting emotionally to career pressure Make Your MBA Decision Like a Leader If you are going to invest years of your life and six figures into a degree, it deserves a proper business case. Download the MBA Decision Toolkit and take control of your career strategy.

If you don't know where to start - start here, with this webinar. Move from Academia to Entry Roles in Life Sciences Industry A practical 40-minute webinar for scientists who want to transition from academia into industry but don’t know which role to target or how companies actually hire. In this session, I walk you through the five most accessible entry roles in life sciences companies and explain what hiring managers really expect from candidates with a STEM background. All the insights are based on my experience moving from a PhD at the Pasteur Institute into strategy, product management, and commercial roles across companies like Tecan and Danaher, plus nearly a decade hiring scientists into industry teams. What you’ll learn inside the webinar How the life sciences industry actually works Understand the structure of vendors, technologies, and business functions so you can position yourself strategically instead of applying blindly. The 5 strongest entry roles for scientists R&D ScientistProduct ManagerField Application Specialist (FAS)Sales SpecialistMarketing Learn what each role does day-to-day and which one fits your background best. Why academic R&D experience is often not enough Discover the hidden expectations companies have around project management, IP awareness, customer focus, and cross-functional collaboration. How product decisions are made inside companies Learn the basics of: business cases market analysisportfolio strategycustomer journeyinnovation strategy (organic vs inorganic) These are the signals recruiters look for in strong candidates. Why sales is one of the most underestimated entry points Understand why sales roles often offer: higher starting compensationfaster career growthstronger visibility inside companiesaccess to leadership tracks How to position your transferable skills correctly Most applicants fail here. This webinar shows how to translate academic experience into industry language. This training is designed for: PhDsPostdocsMaster’s graduates in life sciencesScientists exploring industry careersResearchers unsure which entry role to target Especially valuable if you are applying already but not getting interviews. What makes this different from generic career advice This session explains how companies think internally when they hire scientists. You’ll learn: how product development decisions are madehow market strategy influences hiringhow customer needs shape technical roleshow revenue roles accelerate career growth These are insights most candidates only discover after entering industry. Format 40-minute on-demand webinarWatch anytime after purchase

Includes: Application Toolkit: Learn about the Product Life Cycle and how to approach your application. CV and Cover Letter strategy. Salary trends depending on your career path choice. Reading effort 30min.PM Toolkit: discover what the PM role consists of with context around the entire Product Life Cycle and daily activities. Deep-dive into specific skillsets that are not common for academic scientists, but you can demonstrate notions of, if you learn the basics described in this Toolkit and follow the prompting questions to populate your CV and Cover Letter. Reading effort 60min + several optional exercises.PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills PM Job: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template PM Job: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template PM Job: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled with PM-relevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h.

Includes: Application Toolkit: Learn about the Product Life Cycle and how to approach your application. CV and Cover Letter strategy. Salary trends depending on your career path choice. Reading effort 30min.R&D and FAS Toolkits: discover what these roles consist of with context in the realm of cutting edge biotechnology solutions and the daily activities of sales reps. Deep-dive into specific skillsets that are not common for academic scientists, but you can demonstrate notions of, if you learn the basics described in this Toolkit and follow the prompting questions to populate your CV and Cover Letter. Reading effort 60min + several optional exercises.PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills R&D + FAS Jobs: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template R&D + FAS Jobs: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template R&D + FAS Jobs: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled withrelevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h.

Includes: Application Toolkit: Learn about the Product Life Cycle and how to approach your application. CV and Cover Letter strategy. Salary trends depending on your career path choice. Reading effort 30min.Sales Toolkit: discover what the Sales role consists of with context in the realm of cutting edge biotechnology solutions and the daily activities of sales reps. Deep-dive into specific skillsets that are not common for academic scientists, but you can demonstrate notions of, if you learn the basics described in this Toolkit and follow the prompting questions to populate your CV and Cover Letter. Reading effort 60min + several optional exercises.PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills Sales Job: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template Sales Job: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template Sales Job: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled with Sales-relevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h.

Break into Life Sciences Industry Roles straight from the LabDesigned for PhDs and Post-Docs ready to leave academia behind This FREE Career Toolkit is your strategic guide to landing entry-level roles in Life Sciences Innovation Companies that design solutions for research and diagnostics. Whether you're a bench scientist curious about life beyond the lab or a post-doc overwhelmed by career options, this resource maps out accessible entry roles along the Product Life Cycle, what they require, and how to position yourself for them. What’s inside:✅ A breakdown of non-academic job titles and what they mean✅ The type of skills companies actually look for in candidates like you✅ How to approach your CV and Cover Letter for industry roles Most importantly, you will understand what further materials from CareerCatalystLab.com you will need to boost your application and shortcut your time to results. This is an introductory Toolkit to help you figure out the first steps of your transition. 

Includes: PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills PM Job: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template PM Job: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template PM Job: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled with PM-relevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h. While these resources are very practical, they need to be used in combination with the PM Toolkit as well as the Application Toolkit. These two materials will complement these templates with context on the role scope, help you read and understand the job descriptions and prepare you for interviews. For best results, get the PM Ultimate Bundle with all of the relevant materials (7 items).

Includes: PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills R&D and FAS Job: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template R&D and FAS Job: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template R&D and FAS Job: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled with relevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h. While these resources are very practical, they need to be used in combination with the R&D and FAS Toolkit as well as the Application Toolkit. These two materials will complement these templates with context on the role scope, help you read and understand the job descriptions and prepare you for interviews. For best results, get the R&D and FAS Ultimate Bundle with all of the relevant materials (7 items).

Includes: PRE-FILLED Q&A Expected Skills Sales Job: an actionable skill generator with examples. You need to work through the list of questions and create your unique answers using the examples I provided. You can even use any of my examples if they apply to you, but in essence it's an editing type of homework that encourages creativity and open minded thinking. Editing effort 30min.PRE-FILLED CV Template Sales Job: simply edit the skills and experiences in an industry-facing CV template by using the Q&A Skill generator and all the pre-filled options. Boost with your own unique experience that you'll package using the same logic. Editing effort 1h.Pre-FILLED Cover Letter Template Sales Job: use this template as a starting point for demonstrating how your academic experience was filled with Sales-relevant experiences and advocating that you possess the required notions to further learn on the job. Editing effort 1h. While these resources are very practical, they need to be used in combination with the Sales Toolkit as well as the Application Toolkit. These two materials will complement these templates with context on the role scope, help you read and understand the job descriptions and prepare you for interviews. For best results, get the Sales Ultimate Bundle with all of the relevant materials (7 items).

Ace Your Life Science Interview as if you were an Industry Insider! Landing a job in the Life Sciences industry means more than rehearsing answers. It means showing up informed, strategic, and aligned with the company's goals. This Life Science Company Interview Prep Checklist is your essential tool for standing out in competitive interviews. Designed for scientists, researchers, and professionals transitioning into industry roles, this FREE 2-pager helps you: ✅ Research a company’s mission, leadership, and culture✅ Understand funding, global reach, and recent developments✅ Uncover product strategy, technology focus, and R&D direction✅ Analyze financial reports and sustainability goals (for public companies)✅ Craft questions that impress and responses that resonate Whether you're targeting startups or global players, this checklist ensures you're not just prepared - you're memorable.  Make a smarter first impression.Download now and get interview-ready today.

Networking examples

From Scientist to Industry Professional Transferable Skills You Already Have (But Don’t Market Enough) You already have the skills life sciences companies hire for.You’re just not positioning them in industry language. This concise Career Toolkit helps scientists and PhDs identify their transferable hard and soft skills and understand how they map to real industry roles in R&D, Product, FAS, Sales, and Marketing. It shows you: Which skills you already use dailyWhy industry values themHow to stop underselling yourself in applications and interviews This Toolkit shows you what you already have.My other Toolkits and Bundles show you how to use it.

Your Application Toolkit for jobs in the Life Sciences industry: enhance your career and salary. What's Inside? Job Opportunities Along The Product Lifecycle You will learn how innovation is done in Life Sciences companies, which roles are central to it and which roles are a great fit for someone straight from Academia.  From Master CV To Tailored CV You will learn how to craft an industry-facing CV that is fundamentally different from an academic one as it needs to show business-oriented thinking and demonstrate skills that bring value, results, efficiency. A CV should argue that hiring YOU offers a great return on investment.  Matching Your Experience To Job Requirements To create an outstanding CV that matches the job description, we recommend that you use this toolkit in combination with one or several of our role-specific toolkits (purchased separately), especially if you are applying to “classic” entry roles like R&D, Product Management, Marketing, Sales, and FAS/FSE. When To Use A Cover Letter You will learn why in some cases it’s valuable to send a cover letter and what kind of information needs to be in there to add value to your application. Long-term Career Trajectories You will learn which roles offer vertical versus lateral growth, so you can make an informed decision on which roles to target for your industry transition. Matching Ambition With Compensation Similarly, you will get a sense of salary dynamics that come with various roles, so you can project your long-term career and decide on the level of comfort and responsibility that suits your personality.

Break into Marketing jobs in the Life Sciences industry: enhance your career and salary. This FREE Toolkit gives you a taste of what my premium, role-specific Toolkits offer (except those are 2–3x more powerful and packed with tailored resources).

Break into Product Management jobs in the Life Sciences industry: enhance your career and salary. What's Inside? Product Manager: What To Expect You’ll uncover what it really means to be a Product Manager in the Life Sciences industry: a role with broad, strategic responsibilities at the heart of product innovation. Product Managers act as the central hub, connecting R&D, Marketing, Sales, and Field teams to drive products forward. By understanding the nuances of this role and its many flavors, you’ll learn howto read between the lines of job descriptions, identify what companies truly value, and position yourself as the standout candidate they’re looking for. A Day In A Life Of A Product Manager You’ll get clear examples of both routine tasks and occasional responsibilities typical for this role, giving you a realistic view of what the job involves. Based on these insights, you’ll be able to gauge your genuine interest and prepare to address skill gaps effectively. Your level of interest is a crucial first step toward building a fulfilling, successful career. And if you spot skill gaps, you don’t need to worry as the next chapter will guide you step-by-step how to bridge them.  Make Your Application Stand Out / Skillsets & Competencies This is the most valuable part of the guide: a goldmine of industry-relevant skills that hiring managers look for but rarely spell out, but you’ll get to see as if you’re already on the inside. These critical skills arecollected based on the author’s 10 years experience working and hiring into these roles. You don’t need to master them all, but showing familiarity will instantly set you apart as someone who "gets it."This section gives you targeted prompts to reflect on your lab work, side projects, or teamwork experiences and translate them into business-savvy language. The result? A CV that doesn’t read like an academic boilerplate, but one that speaks the language of impact, value, and ROI (return on investment) - exactly what companies are looking for when deciding who to interview.

Break into R&D jobs in the Life Sciences industry: enhance your career and salary. R&D / Application Scientist: What To ExpectYou will discover the scope and responsibilities of R&D and Application Scientists in industry. These roles are central to product innovation in Life Sciences companies and therefore differ quite substantially from academic research. Understanding these roles and how they fit into the company’s product development ecosystem will help you decode job descriptions and grasp what employers truly value, so you can tailor your application accordingly and stand out.A Day In A Life Of An R&D / Application ScientistYou’ll get clear examples of both routine tasks and occasional responsibilities typical for this role, giving you a realistic view of what the job involves. Based on these insights, you’ll be able to gauge your genuine interest and prepare to address skill gaps effectively. Your level of interest is a crucial first step toward building a fulfilling, successful career. And if you spot skill gaps, you don’t need to worry as the next chapter will guide you step-by-step how to bridge them. Make Your Application Stand Out / Skillsets & CompetenciesThis is the most valuable part of the guide: a goldmine of industry-relevant skills that hiring managers look for but rarely spell out, but you’ll get to see as if you’re already on the inside. These critical skills are collected based on the author’s 10 years experience working and hiring into these roles. You don’t need to master them all, but showing familiarity will instantly set you apart as someone who "gets it."This section gives you targeted prompts to reflect on your lab work, side projects, or teamwork experiences and translate them into business-savvy language. The result? A CV that doesn’t read like an academic boilerplate, but one that speaks the language of impact, value, and ROI (return on investment) - exactly what companies are looking for when deciding who to interview.

Break into Sales jobs in the Life Sciences industry: enhance your career and salary. Sales / Account Manager: What To ExpectYou will discover the scope and responsibilities of Sales and Account Management roles in industry. These roles are revenue-driving engines of Life Sciences companies and therefore differ significantly from academic environments. Understanding how Sales fits into the broader commercial strategy and customer lifecycle will help you decode job descriptions and grasp what employers truly value, so you can tailor your application accordingly and stand out. A Day In The Life Of A Sales / Account ManagerYou’ll get clear examples of both daily activities and high-impact responsibilities typical for this role, giving you a realistic view of what the job involves. From customer meetings to pipeline management and internal alignment, you’ll understand how success is measured. Based on these insights, you’ll be able to assess your genuine interest and prepare to address skill gaps effectively. Your level of interest is the first step toward building a fulfilling, successful career. And if you spot skill gaps, the next chapter will guide you step-by-step on how to bridge them. Make Your Application Stand Out / Skillsets & CompetenciesThis is the most valuable part of the guide: a goldmine of commercial and customer-facing skills that hiring managers look for but rarely spell out, but you’ll get to see as if you’re already on the inside. These critical skills are collected based on the author’s 10 years of experience working and hiring into these roles. You don’t need to master them all, but showing familiarity will instantly set you apart as someone who "gets it." This section gives you targeted prompts to reflect on your research, collaborations, or stakeholder interactions and translate them into business-driven language. The result? A CV that doesn’t read like an academic profile, but one that speaks the language of revenue, customer value, and impact - exactly what companies are looking for when deciding who to interview.