Advice for Scientists

Suzane
Ramos da Silva
There is no work life balance since work is part of your life
After reading an interview with a pioneer scientist on Science, I kept questioning myself about how to find a balance between life and work. In the cited interview, the scientist said she took 5 days off work for the birth of all her three sons. I read a lot about life and work time balance, an...

Fabian
Zanella
It’s not fun to ride the salary roller coaster
Since around this time of the year, tax return commercials invade our televisions, I thought I could share an experience that is related to that.

Shu Chin
Ma
How to speak with confidence-part 1, public speaking and presentations
Does your stomach do flips when you hear the word “presentation”? Does your throat get drier than the Sahara desert when you have to speak to more than one person? Do you sweat profusely when you have to “network”? Do your legs wobble if you have to resolve perceived conflicts and unequivoca...

Ron
Hunter
Good or Bad: It is still change
At my desk, I have a sign that reads, “The most dangerous phrase in the language is ‘we’ve always done it this way’ by Rear Admiral Grace Hopper.” Growing up as a child of a military serviceman can be seen as the ultimate training in becoming comfortable with change. We moved around q...

Sandlin
Seguin
Explaining your transition
Once you decide that you are going to make a career transition, you are going to have to answer the question Why, “why make the transition?” And sometimes that will be worded as a skeptical “Why not stay?” Having an answer to this question matters because it helps others understand wher...

Aníbal
Valentín-Acevedo
How to say no to your boss
Is it appropriate to say no to your boss when he or she asks you to do something, or to take on a new project? First, let me tell you that it is indeed ok to say no to your boss. However, you have to say it in a specific way and only under certain situations. Otherwise, it can hurt your career....

Shu Chin
Ma
Cut the productivity clutter
I will be the first one to admit that I am mighty talented when it comes to finding ways to procrastinate or frivolously waste time on a daily basis. You’d think it was an Olympic sport. So, past the half way mark of 2015, I am finally getting around to my awfully neglected New Year’s resol...

Thomas Patrick
Chuna
Networking – Scary and Misunderstood, pt 2 - “but I don’t know anyone”
The word “networking” terrifies a lot of people..jobseekers “know” they need to do it, but the prospect can be very overwhelming, especially if you think you don’t know anyone..if that’s you, here’s how to get started. You might think my premise is silly, but I assure you, the num...

Tom
Ruginis
Six lessons learned while I quit grad school to become an entrepreneur
Life changing decisions do not happen often. They are difficult and will require you to dig deeper into your brain, gut, and soul to find the best path towards your happiness. I was 28 years old in 2008 when I decided that a PhD and a life as a scientist, wasn’t a good fit for Tom Ruginis.It ...

Aníbal
Valentín-Acevedo
Being passionate about what we do
I recently gave a talk to a group of undergraduate students about how to identify their goals and the importance of passion during that process. Although most of them agreed with me on the importance of being passionate, the reality is that most people have a hard time identifying what they are...