BGS Career Development

Making It Count!

Professional Skills: Negotiation

IHE, “The Stress of Interviewing and Negotiating”

by Leave a Comment

The Carpe Careers blog published in Inside Higher Ed features advice from PhD/postdoc career advisors on topics including job searches, career development, building professional relationships, and more.

The latest publication about harnessing the stress of interviewing and negotiating was written by Dr. Joseph Barber, Associate Director of Penn Career Services. He addresses the anxiety and fear that many people face throughout these processes, stating, “Rather than dwell on the negatives, if we can train our thoughts to be more positive, to picture what success will look like and imagine the how great we will feel when these job-search situations go well, then we will be better positioned to make the most out of them.” The article then provides a list of strategies to harness excitement rather than fear. Read more here.

ASCB: “Ways to engage with your members of Congress”

by Leave a Comment

In this ASCB article, the author describes her surprise at the simplicity of scheduling a meeting with one’s Congressional representatives. She states, “It turns out I didn’t need a lofty title. I already had all of the qualifications I needed to have a meeting on Capitol Hill—I am a constituent, I am persistent, and I care about scientific research.”

After a quick briefing on how the Congressional budget works, the author provides sample scripts to engage your members of Congress on Twitter, over the phone, or by email.

Read the full article here!
Students interested in a career in science policy or who are looking for ways to advocate for their research interests may also be interested in ASCB’s Advocacy Toolkit.

Nature: Negotiating your job offer or postdoc position

by Leave a Comment

Image result for negotiation stock photo

This article shares a conversation between Nature Careers and Joshua Weiss – negotiation expert and a senior fellow of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. Whether in academia, industry, or elsewhere, it’s important to negotiate with prospective employers. However, perceptions of a power imbalance may make it difficult to do so. Weiss explains:

People also tend to focus on worst-case scenarios—to think that they’ll lose the postdoc, or harm the relationship, if they negotiate. But when you’re in that situation, it’s important to remember that they made an offer to you. They’re sitting with you for a reason. They’re not sitting with the other 50 candidates; they’re sitting with you. We tend not to remind ourselves of those things, to remind ourselves of our own worth.

 Katie Langin, Science

The interview also covers broad negotiation concepts, tips, and pitfalls to avoid. Read more here.

BGS Professional Skills Series: ‘Philanthropy & Fundaising’

by Leave a Comment

And now for something different! The next session in the BGS Professional Skills Series is, ‘Philanthropy & Fundraising.’ It will be led by Torren Blair, Senior Director of Development, Basic Science and Translational Science Programs, and Megan Osvath, Associate Director of Development for Biomedical Research on March 26, 2019 from 4-5 PM in the Barchi Library (140 John Morgan Building.)

For most, the talk will be a revelation, and certainly useful. Philanthropy and other forms of fundraising are central to the growth of institutions such as Penn, but they are relevant as well to numerous, smaller spheres of nonprofit activity. Importantly, these activities embrace a number of skills relevant to a variety of pursuits:  valuation of what we do, how to communicate with the public, creating win-win situations, and teamwork. Please join Torren and Megan as they describe the objectives and skills required in a behind-the-scenes look at how these activities are conducted at Penn.

Light refreshments will be served!

Please register here by March 22, 2019: https://goo.gl/forms/CAxW3SlWz1aVS1Zl1

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Lopez.

Career Services: Negotiating for Faculty Positions and Postdocs

by Leave a Comment

Have you ever negotiated with an employer for salary or a job offer? Have you done it successfully? A Career Services counselor will discuss strategies for what to think about and do when you interview and when you receive an offer. This workshop will address:

  • The basic principles of successful negotiation
  • What can be negotiated
  • How should you respond when offered a position


We also have online resources on negotiating academic job offers, please visit: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices//careerfields/academicfaculty.php

When: February 19, 2019, 12 – 1:30 PM

Where: McNeil Building Conference Room 97

Register here

iBiology: Job Hunting in Industry

by Leave a Comment

iBiology has posted a series of four talks on effectively searching for industry scientist positions. See the following overview:

“Job hunting in industry might seem like a mysterious or overwhelming task, but there are specific skills you can learn to make the process approachable and successful. In a series of four talks, Bill Lindstaedt, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Career Advancement, International and Postdoctoral Services (CAIPS) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), will show you how to effectively search, apply, interview and negotiate for industry scientist positions. In part 1, Lindstaedt covers how to set yourself up for success in the job search, including how to find out about biotech and pharma companies and how to set up informational interviews with industry professionals. In part 2, he describes how to write a winning resume, and how to effectively find out about and apply to industry scientist positions. In part 3, he teaches key interviewing skills so you will excel at the interview process. And, in conclusion, in part 4, he provides tips for how to successfully negotiate your industry scientist job offer.” (Via iBiology)

Watch the professional development talks here.