In this conversation, Dr. Jane, a chartered counseling psychologist, shares her journey into the field of psychology, discussing her motivations, the importance of proper training and registration, and the nuances of therapy. She emphasizes the significance of finding the right therapist, the challenges of working in mental health, and the evolving landscape of mental health awareness. The discussion also touches on the importance of proper assessments for conditions like ADHD and the misconceptions surrounding therapists.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Counseling Psychology

02:49 The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist

05:03 Understanding Therapy Duration and Expectations

07:44 Types of Psychology and Their Importance

09:58 The Importance of HCPC Registration

12:59 Securing a PhD in Psychology

15:37 Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy

18:21 The Demands of Doctoral Training

20:45 The Transition from Training to Practice

23:46 Navigating Post-PhD Career Paths

27:14 The Shift to Remote Therapy

30:26 Understanding Mental Health Awareness

33:59 Transitioning to Private Practice

37:59 Evolving Career in Psychology

39:48 The Importance of Qualified Assessments

Keywords: counseling psychology, mental health, therapy, HCPC registration, PhD in psychology, private practice, ADHD assessment, group therapy, misconceptions about therapists, career progression

Follow Dr Jane:

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.janehalsall/
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.janehalsall?lang=en-GB
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dr-jane-halsall-psychology-practice/posts/?feedView=all
• Visit her website linktr.ee/drjanehalsall

In this episode, we explore the growing rise of side hustles in science and healthcare and whether they actually help or hurt your career.

From PhD life, academia, and NHS careers to content creation, science communication, and advocacy, we unpack what it really means to be multi-passionate as a scientist. Alex shares her journey creating educational content alongside a full-time healthcare role, while Abdul reflects on balancing a PhD workload, research pressures, and creative side projects like photography and science outreach.

Keywords: side hustles in science, scientists and side hustle, PhD life, academia burnout, healthcare careers, science communication, content creation for scientists

Follow Us on Social Media

• The podcast page on IG
• Follow Alex on IG
• Follow Abdul on LinkedIn

In this episode Abdul and Alex break down what health tech really is and why it’s becoming one of the most exciting and impactful areas in modern healthcare.

The conversation dives into real-world health tech innovations, including digital physiotherapy platforms, eye-imaging photonic chips, and non-invasive brain monitoring tools, while also addressing critical challenges such as accuracy, user experience, health inequality, and data reliability across different populations.

Whether you’re a scientist, healthcare professional, student, or someone curious about health tech careers, this episode offers an accessible, honest look at where the industry is heading and the questions we should be asking as innovation accelerates.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Why Talk About Health Tech Now?

02:40 – What Is Health Tech? (Explained Simply)

04:40 – Wearables, Apps & Everyday Health Data

06:40 – Are Health Wearables Actually Useful?

09:00 – Why Health Tech Is Growing So Fast

11:20 – UK Health Tech & Innovation Ecosystem

12:30 – Health Tech Example #1: Digital Physiotherapy (Flok Health)

15:20 – Health Tech Example #2: Eye Imaging & Photonic Chips

18:00 – Health Tech Example #3: Non-Invasive Brain Monitoring

20:10 – Accuracy, Bias & Health Inequality in Health Tech

23:00 – The Importance of User Experience in Medical Technology

24:30 – Future Episode Ideas & Closing Thoughts

Links

• EEG podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UbfqpaUDKUsU2DdvyiKSx?si=1exsBc7HTE20weHufxRI0g

Keywords: Health tech, health tech innovations, healthcare technology, digital health, medical technology, health tech explained, wearable health devices, AI in healthcare, medical devices, home health monitoring, NHS innovation, preventative healthcare, health tech startups, scientists in industry, health tech careers, what is health tech, how technology is changing healthcare, health tech for patients, digital healthcare explained, health tech UK, inequality in health technology, wearables accuracy skin tone, future of healthcare technology

Today I’m excited to welcome my colleague and friend Emma to the show. Emma is a seasoned talent and events professional with deep experience across startups and big tech. She’s worked on high-growth hiring at companies like Amazon, Pinterest, and HeliosX, as well as two global VFX studios, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on what it takes to scale teams, stand out as a candidate, and navigate competitive hiring environments.

Outside of the 9–5, Emma is equally impressive, she’s finishing her M.A. in Creative Writing, has multiple writing certifications, a degree in Food Science, and is working on her first novel. She’s also a runner, weight-trainer, beach-lover, cook, pianist, and overall creative powerhouse.

Today we’ll dive into her career journey, what she’s learned from recruiting across industries, how people can distinguish themselves in today’s job market, and what makes hiring in health tech different from big tech. And of course, we’ll talk about her creative life and why having side projects may actually make you a stronger candidate. 

Chapters

00:00nIntroduction to Emma's Career Journey

03:17 Navigating the Job Market: Insights from a Recruiter

12:08 Understanding Top Talent: What Employers Look For

17:15 The Importance of Data in Recruitment

20:14 Following the Candidate's Journey Post-Hire

21:38 Misconceptions in Job Applications

25:11 The Importance of Customization

26:47 Navigating Career Pivots

29:31 Understanding Hiring Signals

31:19 Differences in Health Tech Hiring

33:26 Balancing Side Projects and Work

37:15 The Value of Curiosity and Side Hustles

39:19 Defining Success in Careers

Amazon, Pinterest, HeliosX, Facebook, Technicolor, VFX Studios, Health Tech, Big Tech, Startups, Recruitment, Creative Writing, Talent Acquisition, Compliance and Regulatory, Film Industry, Social Media, Healthcare Industry

The conversation explores the critical role of research and development (R&D) in the consumer goods industry, particularly focusing on how companies like P&G and Unilever leverage incremental innovations to enhance their market share. It highlights that while consumers may not notice significant differences in products, the ongoing tweaks and improvements in formulations contribute to overall performance and competitiveness.

00:00 Introduction and Hiatus

03:00 Guest Lecture on Malaria

09:00 Nanotherapeutics and Research

15:00 Placement Experience at P&G

21:00 Role of Enzymes in Detergents

27:00 Impact of COVID-19 on Placements

33:00 Exploring New Interests

Keywords: R&D, consumer goods, market share, technology development, incremental innovation, P&G, scientist, detergent, protease team, fairy, Lenore, tide, Unilever

In this episode, Alex and Abdul discuss recent breakthroughs in gene therapy, particularly for Huntington's disease, and delve into the importance of the HCPC for biomedical scientists. They share personal experiences from their NHS placements, highlighting the challenges and learning opportunities within the lab environment. The conversation also touches on the dynamics between students and employees, the significance of teamwork, and the financial considerations that influence career choices in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, they reflect on the journey of self-discovery and the transition from scientific roles to corporate positions, emphasizing the importance of finding one's identity beyond a job title.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and News Segment

02:53 Breakthrough in Gene Therapy for Huntington's Disease

05:33 Understanding HCPC and Biomedical Scientist Registration

08:35 Placement Experience in a Diagnostic Lab

11:24 Navigating NHS Lab Placements

14:09 Histopathology: The Role and Responsibilities

17:03 Working with Precious Samples in Histopathology

20:18 Navigating the Lab Environment

24:03 The Student vs. Employee Experience

27:36 The Role of Locums in Biomedical Science

31:31 Repetitiveness and Personal Growth

35:07 Identity and Career Reflection

39:01 Financial Considerations in Career Choices

Keywords: gene therapy, Huntington's disease, biomedical science, HCPC, NHS placement, lab experience, career choices, corporate roles, financial considerations, healthcare professions, IBMS, Institute

In this episode of Beyond the White Coat, Abdul shares his experiences from a recent international conference focused on the biology and physics of prokaryotic chromosomes. He discusses the importance of networking, presenting research, and engaging with attendees. The conversation covers tips for creating effective research posters, strategies for initiating conversations, and the significance of follow-ups after conferences. Abdul emphasizes the value of both peer networking and connecting with senior researchers, while also providing insights on how to find and choose the right conferences to attend.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview 

02:42 Research Presentation and Poster Creation

05:22 Engaging with Conference Attendees

08:20 Networking and Building Connections

10:56 Reflections on Networking and Follow-Up Strategies

22:45 Finding Conferences and Networking Opportunities

25:08 Evaluating Conference Worthiness

27:54 The Social Aspect of Conferences

29:59 Choosing Between Conference Sizes

30:49 Starting Conversations at Conferences

37:49 Networking Strategies: Peers vs. Senior Researchers

Keywords: conferences, networking, research, presentations, academic growth, poster sessions, collaboration, early career researchers, public speaking, scientific community

Useful Links

• Biochemical Society Website
• BioSci Toolkit Website
• FLEX tool - https://excitinginstruments.com/ei-flex/ 

Alex and Abdul return from their holidays in Greece and Barcelona only to dive into a heavier reality: the brutal job market for scientists and grads.

From spreadsheets tracking hundreds of rejections, to AI filters rejecting CVs in minutes, to why personal branding might matter more than your degree.

This episode breaks down the challenges of getting hired today. They also share tips that actually worked for them, and debate how much you should “game the system” vs. stay true to your values.

Chapters & Timestamps

In this episode, Alex and Abdul discuss their personal experiences, including the importance of taking breaks, the impact of social media on their podcast, and the challenges of navigating the PhD application process.

Abdul shares his journey to securing a PhD, the various application processes, and the feelings of imposter syndrome that can arise in academia, particularly for underrepresented groups. The conversation emphasizes the need for open discussions about career progress and the importance of building confidence in professional settings.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

14:19 Abdul's Journey to a PhD

15:50 Navigating the Path to a PhD

18:49 The Application Process Unveiled

24:10 Understanding PhD Interviews

30:49 Scholarship Opportunities and Diversity in Academia

🔗 Key Links

• Check out Helen O'neill
• Follow Alex on Instagram & TikTok
• Follow Abudul on LinkedIn
• Subscribe on Youtube

PhD journey, application process, interviews, imposter syndrome, diversity in academia, personal growth, social media impact, confidence building, academic challenges, career development

In this episode, Alex and Abdul discuss their recent personal and professional updates, including Alex's journey in asking for a promotion and Abdul's upcoming conference presentation. They delve into the challenges of time management in their respective roles, contrasting the structured environment of a PhD with the flexibility of creative work. The conversation highlights the importance of self-assessment, learning opportunities, and the need for balance in work and personal life.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 Life Updates and Career Progression

02:48 Navigating Promotions and Self-Assessment

05:40 Learning and Development in the Workplace

08:37 Conference Preparation and Presentation Skills

11:15 Mentorship and New Beginnings in Research

15:17 Celebrating Achievements in Research

16:09 Diving into Time Management Strategies

26:41 Personal Approaches to Time Management

🔗 Key Links