Anyone opt out of a science post-doc? (alternative, careers, company)

[vemureaux]

Did anyone decide against pursuing a post-doc after a PhD in the biological sciences? Or perhaps did the post-doc and then decided against the academia/industry/government research career?

What did you end up doing?
What "alternative" careers did you pursue with your training and qualifications?

I want to know what other options exist before I blindly follow the "typical" path, especially when I'm not sure if my heart is in it (I'm quite capable and have great lab-hands, just not that passionate about it). I feel overqualified for certain jobs, and pigeonholed and lacking experience when it comes to other jobs.

Would love to know what's really out there, or how people combined their scientific know-how with other skills to carve a unique career.

[mdwstrnkid]

One of my old roommates get a PhD in biochem and did a post-doc for three years. She left academia and research after that post-doc and now works as an analyst covering the pharma industry for a private equity company.

I didn't post-doc after my PhD (in pure mathematics), but also left academia. I'm now working in corporate strategy and design and have been very pleased with my career decision.