Career Paths

Andrea
Habura

Learning to Be a Beginner

Nature recently published an opinion piece about the things budding 21st century scientists need in their training (https://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7560-371a). Of the seven people who contributed to the article, four emphasized the need for scientists to learn non-sci...


Sandlin
Seguin

What if you still love teaching?

The truth is out there: The number of tenure track faculty positions is shrinking relative to the number of eligible candidates. Adjuncting may be viewed as a stop gap for departments who need instructors and candidates who are timing the job market, but these positions aren’t meant to be lon...


Shu Chin
Ma

Cut the productivity clutter

I will be the first one to admit that I am mighty talented when it comes to finding ways to procrastinate or frivolously waste time on a daily basis. You’d think it was an Olympic sport. So, past the half way mark of 2015, I am finally getting around to my awfully neglected New Year’s resol...


Thomas Patrick
Chuna

If they can't find you, they can't hire you.

Hello Everyone! Our topic this time is how to avoid making the hiring authority think you are an unreliable flake. If you give that impression, all the latest fads in job search won't help you. Job search is difficult enough, without putting roadblocks in your own way. You have to remember...


Tom
Ruginis

Six lessons learned while I quit grad school to become an entrepreneur

Life changing decisions do not happen often. They are difficult and will require you to dig deeper into your brain, gut, and soul to find the best path towards your happiness. I was 28 years old in 2008 when I decided that a PhD and a life as a scientist, wasn’t a good fit for Tom Ruginis.It ...


Michael
Salgaller

Even Scientists Have Business Skills (they just don’t realize it!)

It’s a common misconception that acquiring the skills and talents necessary to move beyond the bench, or any position you find mundane, requires formal training or first leaving said bench. There are skills many of you are developing in your current role. There are skills many of you could de...


Andrea
Habura

Revisited

“What is it that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man's breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery! To know that you are walking where none others have walked; that you are beholding what human eye has not seen before; that you ...


Judy
Lytle

Science and Technology Policy Fellowships

As my pre-doctoral sentence of four-to-six-years-with-time-off-for-80-hour-work-weeks was coming to a joyful conclusion, I started to look for opportunities. I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Nights and weekends of caring for my research subjects, cup-o-noodle dinners in t...


Tom
Ruginis

My parents hate me. Now what?

A continuing blog series of life as an entrepreneur after leaving academia.5 years ago I dropped out of a PhD program in Pharmacology. It was a difficult decision but a smart one. Once the decision was made, outgoing messages began: “Hey, just thought I’d let you know, I’m dropping out of...


Charlene
Milliken

From Archaeology to Science and Technology Policy: Making the Leap from Academia to the Real World

Does this sound familiar?: After several years, the end is finally in sight. The Ph.D. is practically in your hand!  But you want to quit.  Why?  Because you’re sick of academia.  You don’t want a career in teaching, you’re burnt out doing research, or you feel like you’r...