From PhD to Communication Consultant
Alda Sabalic, a Communication Consultant based in Barcelona, shares how she went from a PhD in Biomedicine to a fulfilling career helping scientists explain their work with clarity and confidence.
👔 The Job 👔
Alda Sabalic is a STEM Communication Consultant who works with researchers across disciplines to improve how they share their science. Whether it's preparing for funding applications, job interviews, or public talks, she helps clients distill complex ideas into clear, engaging messages.
She coaches them on how to turn the ideas in their head into clear, easy-to-understand information, focusing on summarizing their ideas before they start working on presentations, talks, or writing papers and reports.
Best parts of the job:
Staying close to scientific discovery — without working at the bench
Learning from professionals across disciplines
Building a business around her passion for teaching and clarity
🛣️ The Path 🛣️
Alda always loved teaching, and during her PhD, she became the go-to person for feedback on talks, presentations, and reports. She discovered a deep satisfaction in helping others explain their work clearly. That interest grew into a skill — and eventually, into her own consulting business.
Key steps in her career journey:
PhD Graduate ➡️ STEM Communication Consultant (Solopreneur)
She designed the role herself, blending her scientific training with a love of communication, and created a job that plays to her strengths.
⁉️ Ok, but why are so many PhDs becoming entrepreneurs ⁉️
Connect with and learn from dozens of PhD entrepreneurs through the PhD Paths Exclusive Portfolio - they are happy to chat! 💌
🧠 The Decision 🧠
Alda knew academia wasn’t for her. The instability and constant relocation didn’t match the kind of life she wanted. She wasn’t disillusioned with science — just with the structure of academic careers.
Instead, she chose a more stable, independent path where she could still work with scientists and stay connected to innovation — on her own terms.
💡 The Advice 💡
“Know that you’ll be just fine”
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You can move forward in your career even if you’re not 100% certain of your next step. Progress doesn’t require perfection.Recognize the skills you’ve built.
A PhD isn’t just about research — it also teaches communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Don’t overlook the value of what feels “routine.”Own your strengths.
Skills like critical thinking and managing complex projects are superpowers outside academia. Embrace them — they’re exactly what many industries are looking for.
🔑 The Takeaway 🔑
Alda’s story is a reminder that your career can be both self-designed and science-adjacent.
If you’re driven by clarity, creativity, and a love of learning — and willing to carve your own path — your PhD can take you far beyond the lab.