MSCA is often seen as a decision point.
Before the result, many think:
this will define my future.
After the result, some think:
now I am safe.
But both views come from a fixed mindset,
which leads to insecurity feeling closer to the fellowship end.
Statistically, MSCA does not define your career.
It increases your probabilities to be employed.
You are not selecting just one path.
You are expanding the number of possible paths.
These ideas come from the growth mindset framework –
it explains how mindset prepares people for success.
The people on this slide followed it consistently,
often without naming it.
So the question is not whether you win or lose the MSCA PF.
The question is how you use this step to move forward.

Let us take a look at how careers in biology
in the US careers evolve in numbers.
These are shown in black numbers.
If we add MSCA data in colour numbers,
we see a similar pattern.
Right after the fellowship,
more than half are employed.
After two years, almost 90% are employed.
And almost all say the skills gained are useful.
Herewith, the most used skills are: communication, networking, and project management.
Around 70% stay in academia, about 20% go to industry.
But only one in three in academia have permanent positions,while in industry, four out of five are permanent.
At the same time, about half of researchers desire to become a professor, but only one in ten reach that path.
So there is a clear gap between expectations and probabilities.
This picture shows that careers are not a single predefined path.
They are a set of probable stepwise paths.
Thus, the rational approach is to align expectations with probabilities to step up,
not with initial desires.

Please think on this idea.
Fixing on “precious” results is destructive.
It creates pressure before MSCA,
and false security after it.
Growing along your career,
with purpose, is constructive.
It means using each step,
not depending on a single result.
MSCA is one of many steps.
Not the destination.
So keep calm,and keep going.