BGS Career Development
Making It Count!
NIH’s Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) maintains a PhD/Postdoc Blog that discusses work-life balance, career options, and job application process. The most recent post was written by a doctorate student interested in teaching at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI). She conducted informational interviews with three professors at PUIs and summarized their responses.
Read more here.
In this brief article, eight students and professors share concrete time management tips to avoid distractions and hold oneself accountable. Their advice includes both individual and lab techniques to stay on task.
Read more here.
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.
This Science article, posted under “Letters to Young Scientists,” describes the merits of maintaining a social media presence. Even without posting original content, becoming an active member of online communities creates a curated list of discoveries, events, and discussions. The authors also describe the potential outreach benefits, stating:
“Having a presence on social media may even lead to opportunities, exposure, and impact beyond scientific circles. A recent study suggests that scientists with more than approximately 1000 Twitter followers reach a broad audience, including educational organizations, media, and members of the general public—people who are unlikely to dust off an academic journal to read your research.”
Read more here.
Science features a career story from Jet-Sing M. Lee, an assistant professor of chemistry at Kyoto University in Japan. Lee describes how he made the decision to pursue a fellowship in Japan rather than a postdoc within his PhD lab. Despite natural misgivings, Lee sought the additional perspective that observing a different approach to science could contribute to his career development. In the article, Lee shares the challenges and rewards of gaining this perspective, both within and outside of the lab.
Read more here.
This article in Science features insights from various scientist parents about beginning a family, with a focus on academic careers. They discuss planning a successful parental leave and return, as well as the challenges of maintaining work-life balance after settling back in at work.
The work-life balance of any given career path warrants consideration, and doctoral students considering a career in academia may find the insights shared in this article helpful as they navigate career choices.
Read more here.