The PostDoc Office cultivates a valuable network of people who moved their careers beyond academia after their PhD. They work in research-related leadership roles, in research positions outside the university, or in other really exciting jobs that suit a person with a research background.
One of these people is Science Manager Snezana Vuletic Solari (find her on LinkedIn and read about her best memories of Uni Graz and how to find happiness in your career here), who has a background in literary studies. We are delighted that she consented to be interviewed for this series, providing us with her insights into the success strategies and surprises of her career journey.
1) What was your last job in university research, and what are you doing right now?
While I was still active in university research, I last worked as university assistant and postdoc at Graz University. Currently, I work as advisor to the president of a scientific institute in the spheres of academic appointments and scientific strategy.
2) With some distance to leaving university research: What was your biggest learning you developed in your new sector?
Multitasking, quick switching from a topic to a topic, and quick decision-making.
3) What surprised you the most in the beginning?
How critical thinking, which is a 'must' in academia, is not considered a 'plus' in some professional roles outside of academia;
How being comfortable with public speaking that academia teaches us is a big benefit in non-academic professional contexts.
4) What did you already do before you made the decision to switch fields that helped you later on? (Or what do you wish you had done earlier?)
This is a very important question! I did not do anything before I changed to science management (because my decision was rather spontaneous), but I wish I had dedicated time during my postdoc to networking outside of academia, and to getting experience in academic coordination and team management.
Interview: Johanna Stadlbauer, 05.11.2025
Upon request, we make our contact list (the PostDoc Office Address Book for Careers Beyond Academia) available to our University of Graz postdocs. It‘s a curated list of selected people, and like a good library it can provide information from a great diversity of disciplines and fields. Reach our via postdoc@uni-graz.at!