moving on p, h, & d. beth fischer michael zigmond survival skills and ethics program survival
TRANSCRIPT
Moving On
P, H, & D
Beth Fischer
Michael Zigmond
Survival Skills and Ethics Program
www.pitt.edu/~survival
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 solvea 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
Getting additional informationAbout 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?
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?
Information about yourself:what do you want?
• independence• responsibility• impact• income• security• effort• stress
Information about yourself:what are your strengths?
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 variablesthat determine success?
What are the critical variablesthat determine success?
• specific technical skills
• intelligence and creativity
• problem solving skills
• motivation and focus
• personality and social skills
What are the critical variablesthat 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?
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
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
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 informationabout specific opportunities
Getting informationabout specific opportunities
• journals
• newspapers
• placement services– professional meetings– head hunters
• Internet
• network
Networking
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?
career track useful?
research +
researchadministration
+
college teaching +
journalism +
Is postdoctoral training useful?Is it essential?
career track useful? essential?
research + +
researchadministration
+ +/-
college teaching + +/-
journalism + +/-
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 securityDavid Jensen
Searching with a partner
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 experiencebefore getting a job
industry industrial postdoc
college sabbaticalreplacement
administration internship
journalism freelace
in general temp work
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?
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
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