05/21/2026
The transition from academia to industry can feel uncertain—but your postdoc has already prepared you more than you think.
As part of the WMIS Postdoctoral Mentoring Program, we hosted our second 2026 workshop: “Declaring Independence Part II: Career Paths in Industry”, featuring leaders from industry and translational science who shared honest insights on navigating careers beyond academia.
From networking and mentorship to communication and industry readiness, here are some of the key takeaways from our panel:
🔹 Your scientific training already has industry value—learn how to translate your skills
🔹 Be intentional with applications—tailor your CV for each role
🔹 Many opportunities come through relationships and referrals, not cold applications
🔹 Academia and industry are deeply interconnected and evolve together
🔹 Communication shapes influence—people need to understand the value of your work
🔹 Mentorship can open doors, but direction and action must come from you
A huge thank you to our panelists—Catherine Hines, Su-Tang Lo, and Zdravka Medarova—for sharing their experiences and perspectives so openly! Special thanks as well to Derick Rosario for leading such a thoughtful discussion.
💡 The WMIS mentoring program is designed to support postdocs in molecular imaging through mentorship, career guidance, community, and real-world advice across both academia and industry.
👉 Interested in joining future sessions or getting involved? Learn more: https://wmis.org/postdoctoral-mentoring-program/
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