A Multi-Faceted Career Journey

Dr. Hammer walked us through his professional journey, from his roots in engineering and academia to industry roles at Procter & Gamble and his eventual career in consulting. He emphasized the importance of understanding oneself, developing soft skills, and embracing continuous learning.

Key Takeaways for Transitioning from Academia to Industry

Markus Hammer shared practical advice for researchers aiming to transition to industry:

• Soft Skills Matter: Beyond technical expertise, collaboration, communication, and confidence play a critical role.
• International Exposure: Experiences abroad broaden perspectives and build independence.
• Practical Applications: Researchers should focus on how their work can be applied in real-world settings.

He also highlighted the significance of internships and collaborations with industrial partners, offering a bridge between research and corporate environments.

The Role of Consulting

For those considering consulting, Markus Hammer suggested it as a pathway to diversify experiences, citing his experience with industries ranging from high-tech manufacturing to energy. He emphasized:

• Diversity in Projects: Consulting offers rapid cycles of learning across various sectors.
• Importance of Change Management: Successful consultants collaborate closely with clients, focusing on co-creation rather than imposing solutions.
• Specialization: Developing expertise in a specific area strengthens professional identity and marketability.

Mid- and Late-Career Transitions

Markus addressed questions from attendees about transitioning later in their careers:

• Senior scientists should leverage their specialized expertise to explore roles in consulting, corporate leadership, or government advisory positions.
• Networking at industry-specific conferences and collaborating on cross-disciplinary projects can create new opportunities.

Building a Sustainable Career

Reflecting on his career, Markus emphasized the importance of aligning work-related with personal values and interests. He encouraged attendees to:

• Know Your Strengths: Use assessment tools and seek feedback to understand unique abilities.
• Balance Work and Life: Take advantage of flexible roles and prioritize meaningful personal pursuits.
• Invest in Lifelong Learning: Stay current with emerging trends such as artificial intelligence and sustainability.

Markus concluded the talk by sharing his passion for teaching, coaching, and painting, emphasizing the value of creative outlets in achieving a well-rounded life.

About the Expert – Markus Hammer

Markus is a highly experienced Coach, Lecturer at the Institute for Innovation & Industrial Management at Graz University of Technology, and a Director of Learning at McKinsey & Company. During his consulting career he worked with clients across the globe and in multiple industries, served as faculty at McKinsey’s Innovation & Learning Centers, and published several articles. Prior to this and after his university studies, he worked for Procter & Gamble, in the consumer goods industry. Markus speaks German, English, and Portuguese and is based back in Graz since 2015 after having worked abroad for 15 years.

RESEARCHERS BEYOND ACADEMIA by Euraxess

Created in collaboration with the Researchers Beyond Academia (REBECA) Hub by EURAXESS.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme within the framework of the ERA TALENT Project funded under grant agreement No 10110347.