Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD!

In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, your host David Mendes sits down for a meaningful chat with Claudia, who just wrapped up her PhD and is now stepping into the pharmaceutical industry. They explore Claudia’s experiences during her time in graduate school, including her struggles with impostor syndrome, and the proactive steps she took to get ready for life after her thesis. David and Claudia dive into the significance of networking, the art of telling your story in job applications, and the crucial but sometimes neglected skill of negotiating your salary. Claudia also shares some handy tips for navigating the job search, including a Notion dashboard she created to streamline her applications and networking activities. You can expect to pick up some valuable advice on how to tackle the hurdles that come with leaving academia behind and the essential role mental health plays in finding fulfillment in your career. Whether you’re currently in a master’s or a PhD program or thinking about making a switch to industry, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you carve out your own path beyond the thesis.

Claudia Belliveau  holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and is passionate about making science accessible to all. During her PhD, she founded a scientific consulting company to bridge the gap between science and the public. Alongside her consulting work, she runs a popular Instagram platform with 76,000 followers, where she shares tips, resources, and relatable content for students and researchers. Claudia now works full-time as a freelance scientific consultant and content creator while navigating the transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry.