1. Lessons from Reality TV Fear Factor, The Apprentice and Survivor Lynn M. Schnapp, MD University of Washington

2. My Journey

3. Fear Factor When is it time to move on? No clear guidelines/time limit Fear of disappointing mentors – Career choice, deserting mentor Mentor’s role – Help you make an informed decision

4. Why? Independence from mentor New research directions Better package (always!) – Stronger bargaining position Increase professional contacts – Letters of recommendation, promotion “Genetic diversity” Sense of empowerment New adventures!

5. How to get to be “The Apprentice” You’re Hired!

6. Finding a position Advertisements in professional journals – Many positions are not advertised Contacts initiated by mentor/chief Letters to Division Chiefs Cover letter CV – (Keep track of your activities)

7. “Product Placement” Professional Society Meetings – Always try to submit an abstract – Great networking opportunity – Get involved with assembly, committees – Come prepared with preprints, CV

8. © The New Yorker Collection from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.

9. Is this the job for me? What is the job description? Does the job description mesh with your personal goals? – Clinical/research/teaching/administrative split?

10. Is this the job for me? Are the necessary resources present to succeed? Critical mass of researchers/mentors in your area? Can I live here? Can my spouse live here?

11. Define your needs Make a list of what you need Prioritize – What is a deal breaker? Everything is negotiable – If you don’t ask for it, you won’t get it

12. “You get what you negotiate, not what you deserve”

13. Do your homework Divisional/Departmental websites Pubmed search on key faculty – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ Identify NIH-funded research – NIH RePORTER (Research Porfolio Online Reporting Tools) projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm AAMC

14. It’s a Package Research environment Salary Clinical responsibility Lab set-up Start-up money Computing needs Technician Tenure clock Moving expenses Travel support Benefits Secretarial support Personal issues What is your bottom line?

15. Salary Be prepared to ask for a specific salary – Don’t be ambushed State institutions-salary information is public (may not capture actual compensation) AAMC salary reports Colleagues, fellowship directors, chiefs, chairs Specialty organization database Advertisements

16. Rank/Track What will be your title? – Instructor, Assistant Faculty track – Can you switch tracks? Criteria for promotion – Tenure clock Divisional track record for faculty advancement?

17. Clinical Responsibilities Protected time-what does it mean? Minimize clinical responsibilities in 1st year Clinic? Additional teaching responsibilities? KO8 requires 75% research time

18. Lab space Location, location, location Depends on core or shared facilities Common space for large equipment? Special needs Who assigns space?

19. Justify Start-up Needs

20. “Will my office be near a Diet Coke machine?” Office

21. Moving Expenses Pre-move visit for housing Home Laboratory Car? Relocation for laboratory members?

22. Added value Travel/meetings Journal subscriptions Professional Society Dues License Fees Recruiting Costs

23. Additional questions Housing Assistance Tuition Benefits Parking Benefit package

24. General Principles Get it in writing – Keep a copy of correspondence – Verify phone conversations with email Divisional AND Departmental support Make a decision – It’s not (necessarily) a lifetime commitment

25. A bad deal can be worse than no deal

26. Minimize downtime Set up budget number ahead of time Purchase major equipment prior to arrival Determine what you can take with you Consider purchase of depreciated equipment Minimize initial clinical or teaching responsibilities Finish manuscripts or grant submissions

27. Protect your time

28. Resources www.aamc.org Job Search Advice: NIH Virtual Career Center – http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/a dvice.html http://www.training.nih.gov/careers/careercenter/a dvice.html Strategies for the Successful Job Hunt – http://www.ascb.org/index.php?option=com_conte nt&view=article&id=29&Itemid=36 http://www.ascb.org/index.php?option=com_conte nt&view=article&id=29&Itemid=36 Finding a Clinical Job – http://www.memag.com/findingajob http://www.memag.com/findingajob