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