Search Action Plan

Lamar
Blackwell

Searching for our career north: The Process - Step 1: Self assessment

In the introduction to this series, I mentioned that we need to understand the reality of the process of achieving our career goals.  We also need to assess our strengths and weaknesses.  We need to think about why we are chasing this goal and why it is important to us.  When you are ...


Thomas Patrick
Chuna

My New Year’s Message To You

The dreamer believes the road will someday get easier.The doubter wonders what disasters are waiting down the road.The doer never takes their foot off the gas pedal. Hello Everyone! This is that magical time of year when everyone focuses on the idea of new things, and fresh starts. Th...


Aníbal
Valentín-Acevedo

The danger of a comfortable job

For most of us, finding a job after we graduate is our main goal. We want a salary that is nothing close to what we were making during graduate school, to be financially and professionally stable, and to work for 30+ years until we are ready to retire. We want a job where we can feel comfortable ...


Isaiah
Hankel

5 Reasons PhDs Are Valued More Than Other Job Candidates

The idea that getting a PhD is going to hurt your chances of getting a non-academic job is a misconception. In fact, most PhDs go on to get non-academic jobs and most get paid more than non-PhDs in the same position.


Connie
Hampton

Which is better? To Use a Recruiter or to Apply Online?

The short answer is “Neither” and here is why. The way hiring works is that a company does not hire unless they have a problem they can’t solve with the people that are already paying. Why would they hire somebody if their team can get it done? The first person who knows that they’re n...


Judy
Lytle

Make Yourself Invaluable

I can proudly say that I’ve accepted jobs even though I knew (and my new manager knew) that I didn’t have a clue how to do some or all of that job. In fact, I seem to have made a career of doing just that. If you attended my webinar in January, you’ll remember that I spoke a bit about it. ...


Thomas
Magaldi

Ensure that your first job meets these two criteria

I often encounter two types of graduate students and postdocs who are on the job market. The first type is looking for the perfect job.  Students in this category want their first job to meet all of their career requirements such as responsibilities, salary, location, growth opportunities,...


Michael
Salgaller

I Know What You Did This Summer

I know what you did this summer. You probably worked on your job, but not your career. That’s okay. It’s hard to connect with people when so many are away on vacation. Weren’t you away part of the time? Please tell me you took a vacation. Please tell me you weren’t one of those who adde...


Donna
Kridelbaugh

What’s your career exit strategy?

With the uncertainty of government funding and shrinking research budgets, scientists need to develop a career plan that includes an exit strategy — an alternate career route that will pay the bills during transition periods while you refocus your career goals. I am not advocating that researchers...


Akua
Roach

Cover Letters: An Essential Non-essential

Looking for a job in this competitive market can at times be frustrating.  It is difficult to discern what a potential employer is looking for in your application packet and, if you are looking for positions outside the bench, it can be nearly impossible to detail how your previous experience i...