Advice for Scientists

Sandlin
Seguin

The Argument for Work Life Balance

When I was a graduate student I worked hard, but not quite as hard as I felt like I should work. I often brought home manuscripts I thought I might read before bed, only to take them back to work to read over lunch, and then back home again. I would schedule myself time to do things on the weekend, ...


Donna
Kridelbaugh

Tips for Designing a Contact or Business Card

I often get asked for tips on designing a business or contact card. My response is to keep it simple. The goals are for the recipient of the card: 1) to be able to easily contact you; and 2) even more importantly, remember who you are.


Clement
Weinberger

“Outwrite” rejection?

In fact, that’s not as likely as you might think it is. When the editor surfaces, emerges from the shadows, and sends you the decision email, it’s most likely to say that your article can be “accepted with (minor or major) revisions”. You’ll have to reply to each of the peer review co...


Charlene
Milliken

Should You Become Friends With Your Boss?

No, you should not.  And when I say that, I mean friends, not friendly.  Okay, I know there are people out there who are friends with their bosses, but I think, for the most part, it’s best to have a friendly relationship with your boss but not a true friendship.


Robert Cory
Bernhards

When it Comes to Your Research Career, Pursue Your Passion

We all know scientific research is tough and can be extremely frustrating at times…well, most of the time. Due to all of the inherent adversity, it can be difficult to remain passionate about your work. But it’s important to keep your passion alive to be successful, especially if you are a young...


Aníbal
Valentín-Acevedo

The path to our professional goals

Finish degree —> find perfect job —> live happily ever afterGenerally speaking this is how most of us think our professional life will go after we graduate (I know I did). Although this idea could be true, finding the path that can lead us to our dream job or to a professional goal can be ...


Randy
Ribaudo

Job Security

Job security is a common concern among academic scientists who are considering transitioning to professional careers outside academia. Presumably, these concerns are based on the horror stories of employees being “pink slipped” for no apparent reason, and the lack of any kind of an “all-protec...


Shu Chin
Ma

How to make sure you will never get any help again

Okay, I will admit it, I am writing this with a tight jaw and clenched teeth, and possibly a weird tick with one of my eyelids. As the title stated, I will explain how you can make sure that people will avoid you like the plague, and pretend they are deaf, mute and blind when you obliviously sk...


Christiana
Davis

How to Take Control of Your Time and Write a Lot More

Letting data linger in our labs is very common in academia. Most, if not all, Principle Investigators have data that may never see the light of the day. Do you wish you have more time to write scientific papers? In this present post, I'll share some tips on how to get control of your time, and ...


Shu Chin
Ma

Pros and cons of working remotely

When you hear the words “working remotely,” does it conjure up an image of someone sloppily dressed in their ratty pajama, hair unkempt, with a huge mug of coffee cradled in one hand, while sitting in front of the television with a computer, haphazardly propped on their lap? How about someo...