The Eternal Search to leave postdoc-dom

So I haven't been as good as I should be about blogging. My excuse is that my number 1 job has been to leave the postdoc world and enter the 'real' world. Now I realize that this might be an interesting topic for some, especially those considering a similar leap.

OK, first the gripe. I have been actively 'looking' for a job for two years of my nearly six as a postdoc. That equals A LOT of applications, so many that I have really stopped counting. At first I was fixated on the 'academic track' - the largely touted but largely untrue belief that the only successful end to a postdoc career is a tenure track faculty position. I have what you might call a successful CV (curriculum vitae, fancy word for academic focused resume) and should in all seriousness be able to get a good position. I have been through the whole academic search process (i.e. deemed good enough for an interview) twice, both at an institution where I completed my early graduate work. Both times, I felt like the interviews went well, and both times the position went to another candidate. So, I continued to apply for positions, but felt that if this university (where people knew me and gave me indications that I could make a good PI) didn't want me, then who would? So I began an earnest look outside of academia. Because of my background in translational medical research, I thought I had some options. I have applied for biotech positions (and went through two rounds of interviews at one company, with the position going to someone with industrial experience), policy positions in government and jobs in non-profit agencies. I have exponentially increased my number of applications.

Now the good news. I have started to get interviews! First some nibbles from good positions outside of academia, and most recently, a new interview for a faculty position! So, off I go to sell myself and my research again. I am finally in a place where I feel like I could be making a transition. Maybe that's a good excuse to blog more often. Because I feel this transition could get interesting.

Stay tuned!