I was hoping that I could also do the transition, but that never happened during my PhD (with good first author publications). (nextscientist.com)
For career progress, postdocs consider producing publications and especially first author publications essential. (link.springer.com)
He has several first author publications in the major veterinary journals (JVIM, JAVMA, AJVR, JVC) as well as a book chapter on heart failure, and enjoys lecturing on any cardiology topic. (scvsec.com)