The Career Field Resource pages describe the more common fields that employ scientists with advanced training, with a short list of websites which will help you understand the field. Each section has:
- at least one or two articles to provide an overview of the field or career paths;
- resources specific to Berkeley (access to opportunities you can pursue while a student or postdoc);
- more general sources of information including professional associations, sites with industry news and career advice, and fellowship/job listings.
Management and Life Sciences Consulting
Scientists interested in the business aspects of science often find careers in management and strategic consulting to be a good way to transition from academia to the private sector. Resources below focus on management consulting and life sciences; however “consulting” is a broad term and there are other types of specialized consulting (such as nonprofit, government or healthcare consulting).
Berkeley Resources
- Berkeley Career Engagement – hosts multiple events focused on management consulting, including the Consulting Forum. Events generally target undergrads but are open to all. Use the Vault Guides within Handshake (look under the “Resources” tab) to learn about different career paths, companies and industries.
- BCBA – Biotech Connection Bay Area connects trainee scientists from UC Berkeley, UCSF and Stanford with industry professionals “to facilitate life science innovation.” Graduate students and postdocs have the opportunity to do consulting projects and internships with local biotech organizations.
- Berkeley PhD Consulting Club – holds regular events to help with the job search, including preparing for the “case interview” style used by consulting firms.
General Resources
- Science article, “The Science Careers guide to consulting careers for Ph.D. scientists”
- IGotAnOffer article, “How to transition from PhD to consulting?” – a good overview of the field (note: not an endorsement of the case prep/coaching offered by the site)
- Many of the biggest management consulting firms recruit advanced degree candidates: look for specific recruiting programs such as those of Bain & Company, BCG, Deloitte, EY, McKinsey & Company (there are many others; to see which companies recruit at Berkeley, use Handshake)
- There are a range of large and small companies that specialize in Life Sciences consulting, for example: Clearview Healthcare Partners, DNA Bridges, Cerner Enviza, LEK Consulting and Guidehouse. You can research companies using websites such as Vault (use the Berkeley Career Engagement subscription)
- Consulting Magazine – trends and news in the industry
- Institute of Management Consultants USA