BGS Career Development

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Science: Working Life

Nature Career Column: “Networking for introverted scientists”

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Illustration of 3 nervous blue people poking their heads out of holes in the ground to look and comment.
Credit: Alashi/Getty

Those who struggle with networking may benefit from a more structured approach. This Nature Career Column offers tips for strategically navigating a networking event. The author recommends identifying a “core group” of people you’d like to meet for various reasons (i.e. potential collaborators, employers, funding sources, etc.) ahead of the conference. Once you arrive, you should not leave until you have accomplished three goals with each person you’ve identified: introduced yourself, shared your specialty and industry, and exchanged contact information.

The article also provides a list of anxiety-management strategies and alternative networking options. Read more here.

Request a sponsored Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences

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To support your professional and career development, the Perelman School of Medicine will sponsor interested students, postdocs, faculty and staff for complimentary 1-year Membership to one of the oldest and most prestigious scientific organizations in the United States, the New York Academy of Sciences.

TO REQUEST A SPONSORED MEMBERSHIP, SIGN UP HERE

As an Academy Member, you’ll benefit from free/discounted access to:

Cutting Edge Content: publications, eBriefings, and webinars featuring the latest research presented at the New York Academy of Sciences

Career Readiness Training: online courses, webinars and other career resources to help you acquire the skills needed to succeed in a STEM-related field

Networking & Resume Building: opportunities to present your research, apply for Travel Fellowships, qualify for intensive leadership training, or request a mentor

Nature Toolkits: Academic and Non-Academic CVs

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Image result for resume and cv stock art

There are several important differences between academic and industry CVs. These Nature toolkits lay out the broad rules to follow when writing each type of document, providing guidance on content and design. The toolkits also provide links to useful resources, such as the Imperial Guide to CVs. 

Toolkit: How to write a great academic CV

Toolkit: How to write a great non-academic CV

Students interested in feedback on their own resume or CV should schedule a consultation with Penn Career Services. Speak to a graduate student/postdoc career advisor at any time during your Ph.D. or postdoc by scheduling your appointment on Handshake or calling 215-898-7530.

Nature: Negotiating your job offer or postdoc position

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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.

ASCB: “Five ways to get involved in community science outreach”

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The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) provides five key pieces of advice for graduate students looking to become more involved in science outreach. The skills one gains as an advocate for science (communication, organization, leadership, and more) are applicable to any number of careers. Of course, there are other great benefits to science outreach. The author explains:

Discussing science with friends and neighbors can give them a better sense of what you and other scientists really do—science can seem very technical and confusing to non-specialists. Finally, talking big picture science can also remind you, the specialist, that science is fun! It’s a reminder that many of us need after another day of troubleshooting experiments.

(Via ASCB)

Read more here.