Pierre Orlewski: "All digital and data analytics skills are sought after "
Evidence shows that doctoral graduates can raise the profile and credibility of an organisation, with the researcher acting as a mark of quality. Where it is important that outcomes are innovative, rigorous or evidence-based, having a PhD on board can help provide that assurance.
Pierre Orlewski drives Open Innovation and Technology Scouting in the EMEA region for Goodyear's most forward-thinking Innovation Technology department, which focuses almost exclusively on "innovation beyond tyres". As part of the EURAXESS Luxembourg 2getthere mentorship programme, Pierre took on the role of mentor and shared his experience and advice with PhD candidates on how to successfully make the transition from academia to industry.
Today, employers are seeking concrete and quickly available skills over scientific qualifications and degrees.
Open your eyes wide
A biophysicist by training, Pierre Orlewski came to France to complete his training at the École Polytechnique de Lorraine (ENSIC) - now part of Université de Lorraine - after completing his master's degree at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw. At that time, he was working in the very mixed discipline of molecular biophysical simulations, at the crossroads of biophysics, biochemistry, molecular simulations, organic chemistry, immunology, crystallography and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy.
In 1996, Pierre and his wife, also a researcher, moved to Luxembourg. At that time, there was virtually no research in the natural and biomedical sciences. Thus, the couple decided to leave their comfort zone and look for a job outside academia and public research. In Pierre's case, he went into the automotive industry.
There are many opportunities in Luxembourg for educated, motivated, flexible and multilingual PhDs in large and medium-sized Luxembourg companies, as well as in start-ups and business services companies.
Employers are looking for quickly applicable skills
Pierre thinks that scientific titles and degrees have little interest for employers, but rather the practical and quickly usable skills gained during a PhD. In addition to being able to work in a multicultural context and speaking several languages, Pierre believes that Luxembourg employers value all-digital and data analysis skills.
Pierre strongly recommends his mentees to take a skill assessment test to know where their strengths are. Then, they can focus on the soft skills needed to thrive in their new job. Finding a job in Luxembourg right in the topic of a PhD rarely happens. As such, candidates need to show other skills to convince hiring managers.
Emphasising your soft skills is essential because PhDs are often competing for the same position with engineers, whose background is generally more suited to the positions open in industrial and commercial organisations.
Target knowledge and innovation organisations
In Pierre's view, many Luxembourg-based knowledge and innovation organisations host highly specialised people in many fields. These companies are increasingly lacking in open-minded, broadly educated, interdisciplinary people. Indeed, such talents are very useful in connecting the dots and establishing better communication and mutual understanding between the different silos of skills or technologies. They are also very useful in disruptive innovations, as they are able to quickly upgrade themselves through self-learning and in a situation to build alternative technological hypotheses and validate/invalidate them quickly. These capabilities are part of the background of any researcher.
If innovation is part of a company's DNA, researchers can contribute to the global efforts and give it an edge.
The benefits of a mentor from the private sector
It is important that doctoral students who are considering leaving public research and higher education can learn the "big picture" from someone in the private sector. From talking to a few PhD students, including two of his EURAXESS mentees, Pierre realised that their understanding of the job market was somehow variable. Moreover, they are generally unaware of the criteria used by private sector recruiters.
As a mentor, Pierre strives to provide an overview and understanding of what work looks like in companies and organisations in the business world and what the typical expectations of hiring managers are.
He then helps mentees to reflect on their personal expectations and their definition of a 'dream job'. What are the essential ingredients for a 'good' job? This is a tricky point to seriously consider because in most cases, PhDs expect intellectually stimulating and exciting work, which is not the case for all jobs.
Make the most of social media and attend events to expand your network in non-academic organisations and businesses and find a trusted and experienced peer in the sector to give you a good overview and to advise you on your choices.
Get ready for 2getthere 2.0.
2getthere is a free-of-charge mentoring programme managed by EURAXESS Luxembourg dedicated to PhD candidates who see their future career outside academia in Luxembourg. The 2.0. edition is starting soon. Stay tuned.