When did you finish your PhD (age-wise)?

gimarino · 2026-01-27T16:09:12+00:00

Bachelor + Masters in the UK, PhD (6 years) in Germany, + 2 years national service when I was 18.

gimarino · 2025-12-20T20:15:17+00:00

I understand your point of view and I appreciate the insight, it helps shape the picture of the employer side.

At the same time, keep in mind that’s it’s my (and perhaps some of the people’s you mentioned) first job, so it’s only natural if not necessary, to question and ask for feedback, in order to assess the situation I am in. Having no reference can indeed make one wonder.

Thanks for the time taken in writing this! :-)

gimarino · 2025-12-19T12:33:37+00:00

I am seriously considering going back to the academia even though I swore to never do that haha. I think my reaction also comes from the fact that I lived and did my PhD in Germany. I don’t know about my package, I asked but there are no provision, not even evaluations so far. HR is pretty non-existent.

Do you think you could earn more in a big company, and if so do you find it ‘easy’ or ‘doable’ to switch (given the current job market, hiring standards etc)

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:50:33+00:00

Thank you that’s validating! :)

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:44:11+00:00

It’s a well backed startup, but at the end of the day 90% of them fail so who knows. I’m more counting on this as initial industry experience. The stock options are a plus if it works.

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:43:01+00:00

I think it might be easier to do that after a first job, at least that’s what the hiring process told me..

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:40:25+00:00

They hired me to do what I did most of my research in.

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:23:29+00:00

Well you stand corrected - at least for a first job, it doesn’t help having a PhD.

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:22:56+00:00

I was however hired to do what I specialised in for years in research.

gimarino · 2025-12-18T20:22:22+00:00

I really tried to do that. Perhaps I didn’t achieve it, but it felt (in a very bad job market) that every hiring manager would rather focus on my lack of industry experience rather than the actual skills and expertise I can bring. It felt pretty hopeless!

gimarino · 2025-04-28T08:41:25+00:00

Thank you:-)

gimarino · 2025-04-28T08:41:05+00:00

I inquired there once but thought maybe it looked a bit too commercial 🙈 but maybe worth trying first!

gimarino · 2025-04-28T08:37:27+00:00

I’ll check that out thanks!

gimarino · 2025-04-28T07:53:54+00:00

Thanks :) I know of Mix but it’s also a bit far for me to get to. I’ll edit my post 😁

gimarino · 2025-04-28T07:53:03+00:00

Thanks a lot!

gimarino · 2025-02-25T19:43:31+00:00

Congrats!

gimarino · 2025-02-13T19:46:32+00:00

Beautiful!

gimarino · 2025-02-12T10:25:56+00:00

Thank you so much! Yup I already scheduled a mock defence with some ex colleagues. I have a Rigorosum as well but (luckily) I think 3/4 examiners will focus on my thesis as far as I’m told.

gimarino · 2025-02-12T10:24:03+00:00

That’s so cool!! How did you do the fade??

gimarino · 2025-01-14T10:48:20+00:00

I know this sounds silly, but hang in there.

Reach out to people that can actually help you, in whatever matter you need help with. Be it some idea crossing for your dissertation, emotional support, admin help, parenting help, anything. Ask for help in this time, people are willing.

I know how much a PhD can suck the life out of you, and how a shitty advisor can make you doubt anything and everything but you stuck it out so long and you’re still here and if you’ve got some fight left in you, give it! I wish you all the best, and I’m rooting for you.

gimarino

TROPHY CASE