From Ivory Tower to Industry: Alumni Making Their Mark Beyond Academia

For many graduate students, one question remains unanswered: “What happens after graduate school?” Among numerous University of Mississippi Graduate School alumni, the answer was not found in academia but in professional or industrial sectors such as business, engineering, and health. For these alumni, working in industry offered a chance to apply their academic experience and knowledge to make an impact in their chosen field. A few such alumni agreed to share their thoughts, experiences, and career advice.

Our first featured alum, Dr. Swarnali Goswami, holds a Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences with Emphasis in Pharmacy Administration from The University of Mississippi. Currently, she serves as a HERO (Health Economics and Outcomes Research) Manager at Neurocrine Biosciences in San Diego, CA. Describing her role, she shared, “I am responsible for planning and executing evidence generation strategies that demonstrate the value of neuropsychiatry assets. My role involves designing and overseeing real-world evidence and HERO studies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to support market access and reimbursement, and translating data into insights that inform healthcare decision-making and policy.”

Originally from Kolkata, India, she chose The University of Mississippi Graduate School for its quality Pharmacy Administration program, and she accepted a position in a HERO program because it aligned with her research interests and career goals. Goswami says the Pharmacy Administration program “offered rigorous training in applied statistics, research design, and real-world evidence generation—skills essential for my long-term aspiration to contribute to patient-centered outcomes research and healthcare policy.” She is passionate about her work and explained, “My favorite aspect of working in industry is the opportunity to see research directly translate into real-world impact for patients. I enjoy the collaborative environment, where cross-functional teams—clinical, medical affairs, market access, and commercial—come together to align science with patient and payer needs.” When asked what advice she would give grad students looking to work in industry, Goswami said, “Network early – attend conferences, join professional societies, and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn. Seek practical exposure – pursue internships, consulting projects, or collaborations. Stay curious and adaptable – industry work often requires cross-functional collaboration and agility.”

The next alum we are highlighting is Mr. Kurt Autenreith. Mr. Autenreith took a more circuitous route to graduate school than others. After working for many years, he returned to college in 2017 and subsequently earned his master’s degree in Hospitality Management. “I originally graduated high school in 1990 in Houston, TX. I played a few years of junior college football in Texas and then quit school in 1993 to join the workforce in the hospitality industry. The main reason was that I was not a very good student back then. I eventually married into an [University of Mississippi] family. My mother & father-in-law went to school here. My wife and brother-in-law went to school here.”  When these family members began moving back to Oxford, Autenreith considered the appeal of being nearby. He shared, “In 2015, I moved my family here so that my wife could be closer to them [and] in 2017, I decided it was time to go back to school and finish my college education.” After completing an associate’s degree at a local community college, Autenreith transferred to The University of Mississippi in the fall of 2018. He said, “I received my bachelor’s degree in General Studies at the age of 48 in 2020 during Covid. I was really enjoying the education process this time around, making the Chancellor’s Honor Roll every semester. So, I decided to continue my higher education and got my master's in Hospitality Management.”

Mr. Autenreith currently resides in Oxford, MS, and is the General Manager of Tru by Hilton Oxford. His role requires him to oversee “all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring smooth daily functions across departments like front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, and food service.” He elaborated that he is responsible for “achieving financial goals, maintaining guest satisfaction, and ensuring compliance with brand standards and policies.” Autenrieth’s favorite aspect of working in industry is the people. “The great thing about working in the hospitality industry is you get to meet new people every day from all over the world,” he explained. His advice to students looking for jobs outside academia is to find a career they are passionate about.

Our next featured alumnus in industry is Dr. Matthew Saucier. Dr. Saucier earned his Ph.D in Chemistry from the UM Graduate School and says he was drawn to the school because of its status as an R1 institution. An R1 classification is the highest tier of research distinctions among universities in the United States. Schools with the R1 distinction are considered to be at the cutting edge of research and innovation. He said, “Research is a high priority for the graduate school, especially in chemistry. I knew that to be successful, I needed to develop my skills as a researcher.” Currently a resident in Washington, D.C., Saucier is a Managing Editor at the American Chemical Society. His position entails managing four academic chemistry journals. “My job is to support strategic development of journal content or format, to support and manage the board of editors who review the manuscripts submitted to the journal, and to serve as a staff subject matter expert and point of contact relating to my journals.”

A native of Diamondhead, MS, Saucier shared that “Working in industry provides a lot of flexibility and a lifestyle that is comfortable and enjoyable for me and my family. My job is hybrid, which gives me the chance to work some days in the downtown office and some days at home.” His advice to grad students who are exploring careers in industry is to keep an open mind. He explained, “Don’t just follow the easy path because it’s in front of you. Value yourself and the work you did or are doing to obtain a graduate degree in your field. It’s easy to let imposter syndrome or ‘lack of work experience’ push you down; instead, be confident and leverage your value to make those dreams come true.” Saucier credited his professional success to his time at the UM Graduate School. “I am where I am today because of the foundation I built at [The University of Mississippi],” he says.

The final featured alumnus is Mr. Gaurav Aryal, a graduate of the master’s in Engineering Science with Emphasis in Civil Engineering program at UM. Originally from Nepal, he currently resides and works in Jackson, MS, and works as a Traffic Engineer Intern at Neel-Schaffer, Inc. In his position, Mr. Aryal analyzes “the safety performance of various intersection and interchange projects to evaluate how they improve traffic flow and safety, and identify opportunities for further enhancements.” He is also involved in various traffic signal projects across the state.

 While at the University, Mr. Aryal’s focus of study was Civil Engineering with a concentration in Transportation Engineering. “My research focused on traffic safety analysis, intersection design, and the use of advanced modeling tools for safety performance evaluation. In particular, I studied the safety performance of Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersections in Mississippi and identified factors that can improve roadway safety conditions.” He enjoys working in industry as he gets to see his impact on communities in real time. “Solving real-world transportation challenges and then witnessing projects improve safety and mobility is deeply rewarding.” When asked what advice he would give to graduate students looking to obtain jobs in industry, he said, “Start building professional connections early and seek out internships or assistantships that give you exposure to applied projects. Networking with alumni and participating in professional organizations also opens many doors.”

Graduate students interested in learning more about careers in industry have several resources available to them at The University of Mississippi. The Career Center organizes two large job fairs each semester, bringing in a variety of employers looking to hire UM grads. The Graduate School offers the Beyond the Professoriate and Beyond Graduate School career development platforms, and partners with the Graduate Career Consortium to host the annual Virtual Career Expo each March. Students looking to learn more should be sure to check out the weekly G School Journal, which not only includes details on these opportunities but also regularly lists open positions in industry. We know that Industry holds a lucrative and exciting future for many of our soon-to-be graduates, and we look forward to hearing about and sharing their career success.