Tina Persson shares her journey from chemistry and nearly 20 years in academia, to recruiting and then career coaching. Tina discusses the challenges she faced in academia, including struggles with energy-draining tasks and political landscapes, and how she pivoted to a career in recruitment and coaching. She emphasizes the importance of understanding natural talents, emotional intelligence, and honest communication in career development. The conversation covers valuable tips for professors on recruiting and supporting early-career researchers, the impact of AI on career skills, and the cultural differences in career transitions. Tina also highlights the significance of lifelong learning and being open to unseen opportunities, offering practical advice for academics, those seeking an academic position, and those considering a career pivot.

Overview:

00:29 Episode Introduction

03:02 Introducing Tina and her Academic Journey

10:18 Transition to Industry

12:24 Becoming a PhD Recruiter

15:25 Coaching and Career Development

25:24 Recruitment Tips for Professors

36:00 Startup Mentality in Academia

38:43 Evaluating Candidates Beyond Technical Skills

40:35 Innovative Interview Techniques

43:09 Filtering Candidates Efficiently

50:57 Cultural Differences in Recruitment

52:50 The Role of AI in Recruitment

54:25 Human-Centric Skills in Academia

01:00:13 Building a Supportive Academic Culture

01:03:23 The Importance of Career Pivoting

01:05:52 Conclusion and Contact Information

Related links

PhD Career Stories Podcast and upcoming book

People: Sarah Blackford , Fritz Eckstein

Holland’s Theory of Career Choice

Tina Persson on career pivots, recruitment and coaching for career security (CAL124, S6 E18)