Big life and career changes
Since last November, I have been reflecting on my research career. I started my second postdoc, and I didn't want to stay postdoc for too long. I see postdoc as some sort of limbo. You gain experience, improve your publication record and try to check all the boxes necessary for the next step while staying on short-term contracts and most probably relocating to have international experience.
During my first postdoc, my path was (sort of) clear to me, which led to a professor position (someday). I had an idea of what research I wanted to do, and I was trying to learn from various supervisors and mentors to develop my supervision style. Since my Master's studies, I have been working with software companies, but I have always stayed on the academic side of those collaborations.
My perspective shifted with the pandemic-triggered existential crisis and increased exposure to both assistant professors and "altac"/"postac" (academics transitioned to industry) experiences. As I attended several panel discussions on academia-industry transitions (both ways) and some postdoc friends got industrial positions, I realized that it's not all so different from the UX research I do in academia. Most of the points I valued in my academic path were available in industrial research as well. Moreover, working hours looked more regulated, and career paths more secure and defined.
At the same time, for me personally, the struggles of assistant professors who also wanted to have a family and choose where to settle became more and more visible. As you advance after finishing the Ph.D. and start socializing with those ahead of you on the path, more things become clear. The tweets of Academic Mom looked hilarious but also concerning at the same time, and I wanted a more balanced life. Since my Master's, which I completed more than seven years ago, I changed the place of my residence a lot, and I was ready to end the nomad lifestyle.
As my close friend and co-author moved to do UX research at WhatsApp, I was curious to try applying. After she referred me, the application and selection process took about three months, and it was the most smooth and clear interview experience in my life. It started with the initial HR call in November, followed by a 45mins UXR interview and virtual half-day onsite in January. In February, I got an offer for a Qualitative UXR position in the integrity team of WhatsApp, and I am starting tomorrow.
The world is changing, and lots of terrible things are happening in Europe today, so such a big change in life is somehow scary but also exciting. I am moving back to Italy to be closer to my husband's family, and he also secured an industrial research position (he also was a postdoc), so the two-body problem is resolved! I am happy it worked out for my family and our longer-term goals, and both companies were very flexible in accommodating them.
I will try to reflect more on my postdoc experience and what I learned working at Aalto University and living in Finland as well as the resources I used in preparation for the Meta interviews, but for now, the new chapter of my life is about to start!