Moving On P, H, & D

Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond Survival Skills and Ethics Program

Acknowledgements Science Next Wave –David Jensen –Peter Fiske Laurence Boldt Richard Bolles National Academy of Sciences

Getting a job the dream –PhD (+ postdoc) = job

Getting a job the dream the nightmare –6-10 yr postdoc –100 letters, no responses –“The PhD Glut”

Getting a job the dream the nightmare the reality –PhD + postdoc  job

Getting a job the dream the nightmare the reality –PhD + postdoc  job –jobs are available JOB

Getting a job the dream the nightmare the reality –PhD + postdoc  job –jobs are available –it will take time hard work JOB

This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. Emerson

Why do many people have so much trouble finding jobs?

Why trouble finding jobs? too many constraints

Why trouble finding jobs? too many constraints lack of proper training

Why trouble finding jobs? too many constraints lack of proper training lack of necessary experience

Why trouble finding jobs? too many constraints lack of proper training lack of necessary experience poor problem solving techniques

How do you solve a research problem?

Solving research problems 1. start right away

Solving research problems 1. start right away 2. think creatively

Solving research problems 1. start right away 2. think creatively 3. get additional information - read the literature - consult those with experience

Solving research problems 1. start right away 2. think creatively 3. get additional information 4. develop a logical plan

Solving research problems 1. start right away 2. think creatively 3. get additional information 4. develop a logical plan 5. work very hard

Getting additional information

About what?

Getting additional information about specific job opportunities

Getting additional information about specific job opportunities about the full range of options

Getting additional information about specific job opportunities about the full range of options about how to approach employers

Getting additional information about specific job opportunities about the full range of options about how to approach employers about yourself

Getting additional information about specific job opportunities about the full range of options about how to approach employers about yourself what is the order of importance?

Information about yourself

Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficulty lesson in the world. Miguel De Cervantes

Information about yourself: what do you enjoy?

evaluating literature experimental design data collection data analysis oral presentations technical writing working with others

Information about yourself: what do you enjoy? evaluating literature experimental design data collection data analysis oral presentations technical writing working with others supervising –junior students –technicians teaching –undergraduates –graduate students –medical students establishing policy

Information about yourself: what do you want?

independence responsibility impact income security effort stress

Information about yourself: what are your strengths?

lab skills –general –specific accomplishments –publications –awards –education –experience knowledge –depth –breadth recommendations –supervisors –others in field social skills leadership

What are the critical variables that determine success?

specific technical skills intelligence and creativity problem solving skills motivation and focus personality and social skills

What are the critical variables that determine success? specific technical skills intelligence and creativity problem solving skills motivation and focus personality and social skills what is the order of importance?

Information about yourself: what are your constraints?

responsibilities –partner –family income needs community –religion –race, ethnicity side interests

Information about yourself what do you enjoy? what do you want? what are your strengths? what are your constraints?

Considering the Options

Employment options: Research academic

Employment options: Research academic –medical school –arts and sciences –veterinary school –dental school –pharmacy school

Employment options: Research academic institute –public –private

Employment options: Research academic institute industry –pharmaceutical –biotech –other

Employment options: Teaching university

Employment options: Teaching university 4-yr college 2-yr college K-12 adult education

Can we expand our horizons even more?

What did you learn as a graduate student and postdoc?

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy communication –written –oral

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy communication –written –oral time management

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy communication –written –oral time management dealing with difficulties –challenge –boredom –difficult people –failure

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy communication –written –oral time management dealing with difficulties –challenge and boredom –difficult people –failure excitement of science

Lessons from graduate school and postdoctoral training background in field specific focus technical skills critical thinking problem selection problem solution when to start, stop importance of accuracy communication –written –oral time management dealing with difficulties –challenge and boredom –difficult people –failure excitement of science

The end of education is to discipline rather than furnish the mind. Tyron Edwards

The most important skills 1. working with difficult people 2. dealing with stress 3. persistence 4. circumventing rules 5. starting project with incomplete knowledge P. Fiske

Re-considering the Options

Selected options for people with advanced degrees research teaching journalism technical writing publishing intellectual property patent law public policy museum curating investment banking research admin educational admin grants admin bioinformatics … and much more

Finding a match

you what you enjoy what you want your strengths your constraints

Finding a match you what you enjoy what you want your strengths your constraints the job responsibilities income effort impact location

Considering alternative careers problems lack of support –advisors –peers –friends and family lack of information absence of network

Considering alternative careers problems lack of support –advisors –peers –friends and family lack of information absence of network advantages closer match to you –enjoy –want –strengths –constraints more opportunities

Considering alternative careers problems lack of support –advisors –peers –friends and family lack of information absence of network advantages closer match to you –enjoy –want –strengths –constraints more opportunities a job!

“The hardest battle” to be nobody-but-yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else e e cummings

Where do you learn about non-traditional career options? articles –books –journals and newspapers –internet courses internships informational interviews

Informational interviews come with –some background –specific questions –information about self request general information –job specification –training needed –how to search never ask about specific job

Getting additional information about specific opportunities

Getting information about specific opportunities journals newspapers placement services –professional meetings –head hunters Internet network

Networking

most important source of information >75% of all jobs come from networks importance increases with experience developing your network –takes effort –is essential

How large is your network? How many people would... write strong letters of recommendation? mention you if asked for suggestions? contact you if they heard of a position?

How to increase your network get to know people at own institution

How to increase your network get to know people at own institution meet visitors

How to increase your network get to know people at own institution meet visitors meet people at national meetings

How to increase your network get to know people at own institution meet visitors meet people at national meetings contact people at their local institutions

How to increase your network get to know people at own institution meet visitors meet people at national meetings contact people at their local institutions include family and friends

Maintain your network stay in touch send material –copies of your work –information of interest exchange visits

Some specific types of moves postdoctoral fellow job in private industry dual career couple first job

What about postdoctoral training? what is a “postdoc”? is it useful? is it essential? how should you proceed?

What is a “postdoc”? 2-4 years of research training after PhD few if any other responsibilities can be at university, institute, industry typical stipend: $25-30,000

Objectives of postdoctoral training additional training exposure to different environment additional credentials (esp. publications) increased network jump-start on later research

Is postdoctoral training useful? Is it essential?

How does one obtain a postdoctoral position? determine what you wish to learn identify best people in the field become familiar with their work approach them as for a job

Finding a Job in Industry

Finding a job in industry advertisements and letters professional assistance –job fair organizers –employment agencies –job fair organizers word of mouth

What it takes in industry cooperation: influence without authority team orientation self-promotion goals and timelines acceptance of direction from others ability to work without financial security David Jensen

Searching with a partner

plan ahead

Searching with a partner plan ahead seek locations with multiple options

Searching with a partner plan ahead seek locations with multiple options let first employer help find the second

Searching with a partner plan ahead seek locations with multiple options let first employer help find the second be prepared to compromise

Searching with a partner plan ahead seek locations with multiple options let first employer help find the second be prepared to compromise –location –job –commute –career

Help wanted: Positions open in Biogen Tech; experience required. Landing that first job

Getting experience before getting a job

When to start preparing for your next move?

When to start preparing in general: immediately –consider options –develop skills –establish references –develop network

When to start preparing in general: immediately specific move –12-18 months before leaving

When to start preparing in general: immediately specific move –12-18 months before leaving –as soon as someone inquires

What should you be ready to move on?

advanced degrees –PhD: 4-5 yrs –MD: 4 yrs –MD/PhD: 7-8 yrs postdoc: 2-4 yrs

Making Choices

another year as grad student postdoctoral training

Making Choices another year as grad student postdoctoral training research university faculty college teaching

Making Choices another year as grad student postdoctoral training research university facultyprivate industry college teaching investment banking starting your own business technical writing and journalism

Whatever you do or dream you can do – begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. Johann Goethe

Network break