Founder + Executive Coach Emphasizes Self-Awareness

Name: Nell Masey O'Neill (she/her)

PhD: Nutrition and Biochemistry, University of Nottingham, 2008

What was your main area of research?

Wheat is a key commodity crop and ubiquitous feed ingredient in Northern Europe. I investigated the impact that handling and storage conditions, post harvest, have on the nutritional value of wheat. I also extended my work to look at validating common digestibility trial models.

What is your current job?

I am a Founder and Executive Coach for my own coaching business, based in the United Kingdom.

My job entails several things including: fundraising, business strategy, technical and product development, innovation, executive coaching, and facilitation.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love that the work is different every day!

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Communication; analytical skills; networking

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

Experience! Putting myself forward for and accepting a breadth of roles and training opportunities + learning to reflect on the experiences I was having.

Executive coaching and learning to plan and own my own development was pivotal for me.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

Networking and maintaining relationships over the long term

PhD graduate ➡️ postdoctoral fellow ➡️ lecturer ➡️ R&D Manager ➡️ Senior R&D manager ➡️ Senior Science Manager ➡️ Innovation Director ➡️ Founder

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

• Build skills in self awareness and what you want from future roles.

• Build breadth.

• Network network network!

• Depending on the speed you are looking for, be comfortable with discomfort.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I wanted to try the commercial sector just to tick the box before moving on with an academic career. It was a fairly easy decision once I had founded a company I was interested in working for.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Networking is key, and so is building self awareness of your own unique skills. Make sure to take time for both of these.

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

I am an extroverted people person! I am not a detail oriented laboratory scientist! This has helped me to build relationships so I have leant on that!