After completing a PhD and postdoc in neuroscience, Sabine Blankenship took a job as the science liaison officer at the German Consulate General in San Francisco. She describes how she helps her compatriots to stay up to date with scientific developments across northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

What do you do?

I build professional networks, engaging researchers and learning about scientific developments. Recently, I participated in an industry day at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California. Before that, I spoke to relevant researchers to learn about the CRISPR–Cas gene-editing technology and wrote a report for German government officials. When German delegations visit, I organize their agendas. I can spend a lot of time at the computer requesting meetings, but our work depends on getting out and getting to know people. The communicative part is something I totally enjoy — that and the ability to keep learning.

How do you apply your training?

Very rarely is it factual knowledge. Anything in life sciences, I can follow in depth, but I'm also responsible for energy and information technology. What I really learned in graduate school was how to research something deeply and structure that information into a useful format. Also, self-management is important. I have to take the initiative and see that my projects keep running.

How did you get the job?

What tipped me to this position was a conference run by the German Academic International Network, which helps German nationals to find jobs back home. I thought it was the wrong conference to go to since I wanted to stay in the United States, but then I found the job ad for the consulate. Friends introduced me to two people who work at consulates and I had coffee and lunch with them. Talking to them made me realize that consulate work is something I could be good at and love. And it proved to be useful for preparing for the job interview.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. See go.nature.com/2auauki for more.