FindLight Founders Share Career Insights at UC Irvine
Returning to their alma mater as UC Irvine PhD alumni, FindLight’s founders delivered an engaging talk titled “Life After the PhD: From Research to a Global Photonics Marketplace” for students, postdocs, and staff. Organized by the campus OPTICA/SPIE student chapter, the event brought together graduate students, postdocs, and staff for an engaging conversation about life and career paths after the PhD.
Hosted on the UC Irvine campus, the session provided a candid look at professional pathways in photonics, deep tech entrepreneurship, and the evolving industrial landscape awaiting PhD graduates. Drawing from their own journeys from academic research to building a global industrial marketplace of optics and photonics products, the speakers shared practical lessons on navigating career transitions, identifying opportunities in industry, and transforming technical expertise into real-world impact.
From Research to Real-World Innovation
During the presentation, the founders reflected on:
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Their early research experiences and involvement in scientific publishing and conferences
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First steps into entrepreneurship and the challenges of launching a technology company
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The development of FindLight as a platform connecting buyers of optics and photonics components and devices and suppliers worldwide
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Career evolution within the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem
The discussion emphasized how analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and persistence, hallmarks of doctoral training, translate directly into success across industry, startups, and leadership roles.
Engaging the Next Generation of Photonics Professionals
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees asked thoughtful questions about:
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Transitioning from academia to industry
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Building startups in highly technical fields
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Skills most valued by employers in photonics and semiconductor sectors
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Long-term career growth beyond traditional research roles
The strong participation and thoughtful dialogue highlighted growing interest among UC Irvine researchers in entrepreneurial and industry-driven career paths.
Strengthening Connections Between Academia and Industry
FindLight remains committed to supporting the global industrial and academic community, not only through its marketplace platform but also by fostering knowledge exchange, mentorship, and career development for emerging scientists and engineers.
Events like the UC Irvine talk reinforce the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, helping the next generation of innovators translate cutting-edge research into meaningful technological progress.