Career Paths

Christine
Zafra

Join me on my blogging adventure as I embark on my career journey!

Hello! My name is Heather, and I am currently a postdoctoral fellow. As I was thinking about beginning this blog, one question kept popping into my head “What makes me qualified to give career advice?” And what I realized is that I am not any different from the scientist sitting next to you. ...


Sandlin
Seguin

Becoming An Expert In Things I Enjoy

As a graduate student, I worked really hard to do the things that graduate students are supposed to do. I went to the seminars. I read the journal club papers. I did well in my classes. And I will admit that I was often pretty jealous of other people who weren’t so regimented about those things, b...


Sandlin
Seguin

Working as a Technology Licensing Intern

One of the important factors in my job hunt was that after my defense, my husband accepted a job in Seattle. Seattle is very far from Pittsburgh, where I graduated, but much closer to our friends and family. It was a great opportunity for his career, and of all the places we could end up, the Seattl...


Virginie
Adam

MSL: Medical..Science…What?

If you browse job listings on the websites of pharmaceutical companies, it’ll soon become apparent that there are a slew of titles and abbreviations, which often differ between companies…it can get confusing!  Sometimes, at Company X an ‘Associate’ scientist has more experience than a �...


Meghan
Mott

Leaving the bench to advance public knowledge of current research

Given the current dismal job prospects in tenure-track science academia, it’s no wonder more science PhDs are exploring alternative career options. Although we were groomed to succeed our mentors in the academy, bench life isn’t for everyone. Some of us don’t have the passion for conducting th...


Erica
Taylor

Planning My Career

It is not often that one is asked to reflect and share experiences from one’s career.  I, like many others, spend the majority of my time examining and looking toward others who are much farther in their careers than I.  In fact, it might be a bit ridiculous for me to perform this exerci...


Lisa
Sproul Hoverman

Plan Actively for Your Non-Academic Career

So you’ve obtained, or will a graduate degree in the life sciences, but you know for a certainty that traditional academia is not for you. Do you know what is? If you don’t then this blog is geared towards you. Many students enter a program with a specific goal in mind, be that a practicing p...


Dr
27

Hello again and lots of changes

Greetings dear readers. I apologize for the lengthy absence. Since we last met, I've switched jobs and states! And got married!! I know. Too many changes in such a short period of time. But all is well. And I'm happy to be back to share what I've learned, especially in the last few months. I would l...


Kate
Sleeth

Looking the Part

Today I want to focus on something that I believe a lot of scientists don’t really consider. Our clothing! Now we scientists have a poor rap when it comes to perceptions on our fashion sense.  I realize this is unjustified, but we need to break this stereotype.  I do not expect everyone to st...


Maida
Taylor

The Long Engagement: Waiting to Hear Back After the Interview

The New York Times published a graphic,  the Beveridge Curve on March 6, 2013, noting that there is  “A Shift Toward Higher Job Vacancy Rates.” The New York Times Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.The Beveridge Curve compares the job vacancy rate with the unemployment rate.  ...