1. Moving On P, H, & D

2. Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond Survival Skills and Ethics Program www.pitt.edu/~survival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Why do many people have so much trouble finding jobs?

11. Why trouble finding jobs? too many constraints

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

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

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

15. How do you solve a research problem?

16. Solving research problems 1. start right away

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

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

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

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

21. Getting additional information

22. About what?

23. Getting additional information about specific job opportunities

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

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

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

27. 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?

28. Information about yourself

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

30. Information about yourself: what do you enjoy?

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

32. 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

33. Information about yourself: what do you want?

34. independence responsibility impact income security effort stress

35. Information about yourself: what are your strengths?

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

37. What are the critical variables that determine success?

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

39. 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?

40. Information about yourself: what are your constraints?

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

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

43. Considering the Options

45. Employment options: Research academic

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

47. Employment options: Research academic institute –public –private

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

49. Employment options: Teaching university

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

51. Can we expand our horizons even more?

52. What did you learn as a graduate student and postdoc?

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

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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

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

61. 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

62. Re-considering the Options

63. 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

64. Finding a match

65. you what you enjoy what you want your strengths your constraints

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

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

68. 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

69. 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!

70. “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

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

72. 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

73. Getting additional information about specific opportunities

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

75. Networking

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

77. 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?

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

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

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

81. 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

82. 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

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

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

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

86. 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

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

88. Is postdoctoral training useful? Is it essential?

90. 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

91. Finding a Job in Industry

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

93. 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

94. Searching with a partner

95. plan ahead

96. Searching with a partner plan ahead seek locations with multiple options

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

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

99. 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

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

101. Getting experience before getting a job

102. When to start preparing for your next move?

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

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

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

106. What should you be ready to move on?

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

108. Making Choices

109. another year as grad student postdoctoral training

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

111. 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

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

113. Network break