Why did you choose to opt for science communication after your PhD?
Maria Givony (MG): I did a PhD in genetic immunology until 2013 at
Hôpital Necker in the unit “immune system development”. I decided to embark on
science communication right after my thesis defense: the key factor for my
decision was during my third year, when I had to present my research project in
5 minutes with only 3 slides, in front of an interdisciplinary audience. Until
that moment, I have always paid attention to the design of my presentations in
front of my colleagues and the graphic design was already part of my hobbies.
But it is really at that moment that I got constructive feedback and many
encouraged me to disseminate my presentation on social media!
In the meantime, you participated in the career
workshop by ABG, “Postdoctoriales” (1).
MG: I heard about ABG during a career fair,
Rencontres Universités Entreprises in 2014. On its exhibition booth, I
discovered its training sessions and among them, “Postdoctoriales”. What makes
this workshop appealing to me was the opportunity to have many information on
job market and career options after a PhD, which is difficult to get in
laboratories or from our PIs. The second asset was the opportunity to discuss
with professionals from different fields. What struck me the most was the
impact of network and I learned how important it is to develop and maintain it.
I also enjoyed the exercises and more specifically the simulation of job
interviews. We are told that the more we get invited for interviews, the better
we are. That’s why it was really interesting to be in the shoes of a candidate,
then of a recruiter and of an observer, to help us to analyse the body language
of participants. Another impact for me was the design of a poster that should
present who we are, where we come from, what we like and dislike… It was an
insightful exercise because the ABG trainers made me aware that the graphic
design was not particularly highlighted on my CV. A pity because it could be an
asset for my job search. I applied in September 2014 for the position I have
now at Firendo.
What is Firendo?
MG: It is a French network of stakeholders
involved in endocrine rare diseases. We gather all the professionals dealing
with endocrine rare diseases: researchers, MDs, representatives of patients
associations.
Let’s talk about your job: what do you
do exactly?
MG: As project manager at Firendo, I am under the responsibility of Pr. Jérôme Bertherat, chief of the division of endocrinology at Institut Cochin. My job entails three main activities:
- event management: I am in charge of organizing board meetings and an annual general assembly
- communication: raising awareness of our missions by participating as exhibitor in medical congresses or during the meeting of patients associations
- coordination of 7 clinical research associates located in different regions of France, in order to collect medical data on patients suffering from endocrine rare diseases. The objective is to know more precisely how many people are concerned by those diseases.
Among those three activities, which is
the most fulfilling for you?
MG: Communication is the field where the tasks are the most diversified: digital communication (website, newsletter, social media like Twitter). It also includes the promotion of events in which Firendo takes part, like the international day for rare diseases, for which we have to mobilize researchers, prepare the communication kit to promote Firendo… Using graphic design as a daily tool is very fulfilling. I also enjoy very much monitoring information to forward them to the right people who may be interested in them.
At Firendo, I finally have the opportunity to get positive feedback from patients: when we were preparing the launch of the website, we had to collect all the practices used by the members of Firendo and once we put them online, some patients told us they have discovered by using our website they could benefit from services not so far away from their home. This is very precious!
On a professional level, what impact had the workshop “Postdoctoriales” for you?
MG: Especially with the poster
activity, I increased my self-confidence on my abilities for graphic design,
which I use now in my job as project manager at Firendo by designing
infographics for the website. The second crucial point to find this job was
network: someone I knew forwarded my CV to my current manager who invited me
for an interview. The third factor was the opportunity to keep exchanging with
the “alumni” of this workshop. We kept meeting after the workshop, exchanging
job advertisements and tips by mail. We still keep doing it today in smaller
groups and some of them are now colleagues of mine!
By taking some distance now from your doctoral experience, how is it an asset for your current job?
MG: My doctoral experience is an
asset in many aspects. We have many results to present within the network of
Firendo. This written and oral reporting wouldn’t be as easy as it is without
the experience I gained during the PhD. My doctoral experience is also an asset
when it comes to monitoring information, finding relevant sources, validating
data.
(1) The next session of Postdoctoriales will be in Luxembourg from November 6 to 9. Participants are doctorate holders who are working in public research institutes with temporary work contracts. Are also eligible for the programme doctorate holders who are currently unemployed, preparing their return mobility in one of the three countries or are following their spouse in case of dual career. More info at kimpe@dfh-ufa.org
ABG is a French non-profit organization. Our missions are :
- To facilitate the transition of PhDs (whatever their field and seniority) from academia to the private sector;
- To help companies recruit PhDs.
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