From PhD to Program Management With Anca Bodzer

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

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Welcome to Season 6 of “Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD”, the podcast where we dive deep into the journeys of individuals who have transitioned from academic pursuits to thriving careers in various industries. Today, we have a riveting episode featuring Anca Bodzer, a seasoned program manager specializing in the life sciences vertical. During the interview, Anca shares her insightful journey, transitioning from academia to the localization industry, and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.

In this episode, host David Mendes and Anca delve into the vital importance of authenticity and being genuine in professional interactions and interviews. Anca emphasizes how authenticity is not just a buzzword but a quality highly valued by employers. They explore the significant considerations one should make before pursuing further education or certifications, ensuring it aligns with career goals and personal values.

Anca offers a detailed blueprint of her experiences as a project manager and now a program manager, shedding light on the distinctions between these roles and the transferable skills from her PhD that have been invaluable in her career. Together, David and Anca discuss the necessity of learning the language of the new industry when transitioning from academia, and the powerful impact of networking and enduring relationships.

Anca’s story is one of perseverance, authenticity, and the courageous decision to follow one’s inner voice and core values. Whether you’re contemplating a similar career move or simply curious about the crossover between academia and industry, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable advice.

Join us as we traverse the path from PhD to program management with Anca Bodzer, and uncover the strategies to translate academic experience into industry success!

Anca Bodzer was born and raised in Romania but she moved to Madrid, Spain in 2008 to pursue an MA in Intercultural Communication, Translation and Interpreting. Afterwards, she was awarded a PhD scholarhisp, so 15 years later, she is still living in Spain

Anca Bodzer is the holder of a PhD in Translation and Interpreting and she currently works as a Program Manager specialized in the Life Sciences vertical, more precisly in Linguistic Validation of Clinical Outcome Assessments.

Anca has strategically pivoted from academia into the localization industry and she has also started her own podcast Languages Surfers as a platform to bridge the gap between professionals from the localization industry and academia.

What we covered in the interview:

• Embracing Authenticity in Your Professional Journey: Authenticity and being your true self are highly valued by employers. Genuine interactions can pave the way for meaningful professional connections and opportunities.

• Leveraging Transferable Skills: Skills honed during ayour PhD, such as communication, problem-solving, and independence, are highly valuable in the corporate world. Understanding how to articulate these skills in industry language is crucial for a successful transition.

• The Key Role of Networking: Building and maintaining authentic relationships is vital to your professional development. Networking isn’t just about making connections—it’s about creating lasting, genuine relationships that can provide support, mentorship, and opportunities.

🔗See the resources section below for links!

This episode’s resources:

• Podcast: Language Surfers Website
• Podcast: Language Surfers Spotify

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Thank you, Anca Bodzer!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Anca, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:

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Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

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