The recent launch of the book Beyond the Books: Your Guide to Transition From Academia to Industry on the U of M’s Bannatyne campus marked a significant milestone for Mary Chinyere Obiechina Ifeakandu, a current PhD student in physiology and pathophysiology.
The event celebrated the publication of her practical guide, a project undertaken alongside her graduate studies, which aims to ease the path for others navigating a similar journey from academic life to a corporate career.
Ifeakandu’s inspiration for writing the book was drawn directly from her personal journey of adaptation and observation.
The common struggles she witnessed became a powerful motivator. “Along the way, I saw how many students and professionals struggled with the same challenges […] These experiences led me to create Beyond the Books, a practical guide to simplify this journey and empower others to transition with clarity, courage and purpose.”
The content of the book is designed to be a comprehensive toolkit, structured to provide a broader guide that prepares readers for the corporate world. “It covers everything from personal branding, networking and mentorship to overcoming fear, job search strategies […] evaluating job offers and thriving in your first 90 days on the job,” Ifeakandu explained.
The path to publication, however, was not without significant obstacles. “The biggest challenges were time constraints, funding and the publishing process itself,” she noted.
Her strategy for overcoming these hurdles was methodical and self-reliant. “I overcame them by breaking the work into manageable tasks, self-funding and embracing self-publishing platforms that gave me creative control.” Throughout this demanding process, she noted that she was “blessed with strong support,” acknowledging the community that helped her succeed.
After this experience, her advice to others is to begin without hesitation. She urged aspiring authors, “Start where you are, with what you know. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time. Break the process into steps, seek mentorship and believe your voice matters.”
Her hope for the book extends beyond its pages into fostering a larger, much-needed conversation between two worlds. “I hope it becomes part of a broader dialogue […] By bridging academia and industry, I want to help reduce the gap […] that leaves many graduates feeling unprepared, isolated and unemployed.”
The immediate reaction from the launch suggests the book is well-positioned to achieve this goal. Jenny, an attendee, described the work as “quite impressive,” noting that “it does not just provide information and a practical guide to readers […] I see the book as a guidance note.” She added, “I would like to recommend Beyond the Books to everyone.”
With the launch complete, the book is now available to a global audience. Beyond the Books and its mini-series can be purchased on Amazon, Selar, Gumroad, Apple Books, Kobo and IngramSpark, and directly through the author’s website at maryempowers.com.
