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A step sideways in science
Tuesday 6th October 2009
Anne CookeNeuroscience Research Facilitator and Communications Manager Bristol Neuroscience
A. How I stepped sideways - from academic career path to academic-related post
1. What does a background in academia provide?
2. Pearls of wisdom
3. Some examples and ideas
B. Other people’s sideways steps
C.Summary and any questions
My career path from academia
A-levelsYear out – experienceMA Natural Sciences (Physiology) – PE workPhD Neurophysiology – PE, communication skills, project management...Post-doc – crunch time
1. Up to December 2002
Neuroscience Research Facilitator and Communications ManagerDeep endDoggy paddleHead above water – mostly!
1. From January 2003
A. How I stepped sideways - from academic career path to academic-related post
1. What does a background in academia provide?
2. Pearls of wisdom
3. Some examples and ideas
B. Other people’s sideways steps
C.Summary and any questions
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Yes
NoWhen you started, did you have any idea what you wanted to go on to afterwards?
Was PhD essential to apply for &/or carry out current role?
Either way, does it help in what you are now doing?
Other people’s steps along and away from academia n = 7
Survey
In what ways does a background in academia help?
•assimilation and interpretation of information•data handling•communication and writing skills•training and management•using initiative•self-motivation and working on my own•motivating others and working in a team•teaching•organisation skills•time management and meeting deadlines•managing my supervisor •patience, perseverance, persistence - and knowing when to give up
1. Generic and transferable skills
- survey
• Understanding of the scientific process
• Familiarity with science organisations (such as funders, universities, industries)
• Knowing academics and contacts who can help me in my present, science-related job
2. Knowledge of science and the world of academic research
In what ways does a background in academia help? - survey
• Confidence – I work with academics: the PhD means that they know that I have an idea of their working lives.
• I notice (rightly or wrongly) that I am sometimes afforded a little more respect, friendliness, camaraderie when academics find out I have an academic background.
• One of the great things about having completed a PhD is that I feel confidence that if I can do that, I can do anything.
3. Confidence
In what ways does a background in academia help? - survey
1. Generic skills
2. Expert knowledge of your subject and the world of academia
3. Confidence
In what ways does a background in academia help? - summary
A wide variety of skills that transfer to any job (from good writing to perseverance!)
An academic career is a major achievement under your belt that no-one can ever take away.
But what do I want to do with it all?
?
A. How I stepped sideways - from academic career path to academic-related post
1. What does a background in academia provide?
2. Pearls of wisdom
3. Some examples and ideas
B. Other people’s sideways steps
C.Summary and any questions
Pearls of wisdom – To stay or to step from academia?
Enjoy where you are now! - take advantage of working in a University environment, flexible working hours and interesting work – you get out what you put in
Think carefully about implications of a career in academia: e.g. - repetitive experiments, challenge of failures, scientific writing, competition- difficulty of settling down - short term contracts etc etc
Think about what aspects you enjoy the most - and the least. e.g.- reading, literature searches, hypothesising, analysis?- teaching, organising, presenting? - field trips, data collection or lab work?
This will - give you an idea about the sort of person you are - translate to the type of work you will enjoy and be good at
Do voluntary work in the field you are thinking of entering – you will find if you really like it and could lead to a job
Gain experience in other fields - teaching, public engagement, organising events etc are a brilliant way to demonstrate other skills to a potential employee. You will reap the rewards when it comes to applications
Talk to people – you discover careers and opportunities and ‘make your own luck’. Get in touch with other people doing other jobs, don’t be afraid to phone – can often give advice, experience & details of the job - invaluable!
Talking to people actually doing the job much more useful than reading about it.
Pearls of wisdom – how to find out about other options
4. Some thoughts, suggestions, advice
A. How I stepped sideways - from academic career path to academic-related post
1. What does a background in academia provide?
2. Pearls of wisdom
3. Some examples and ideas
B. Other people’s sideways steps
C.Summary and any questions
Case study - Medical Writer
Features valued and enjoyed the most -•Creativity•Variety•Always learning
Main drawbacks•Long hours: 20h day not unusual•Difficult clients•No company pension
3. Some examples of (other) science careers
Case study – Science event organiser
Features valued and enjoyed the most -•Varied •Good work/home balance•Investigating scientific topics
Main drawbacks•Busy periods - late and weekend work•Mundane tasks •Limited scope - small organisation
3. Some examples of (other) science careers
Case study - Working for a charitable science organisation
Features valued and enjoyed the most -•Variety •Supportive colleagues•Meeting lots of people from different backgrounds
Main drawbacks•Poor pay in the charity sector•Long commute in London•I miss days of mindless experiments – less chance for chatting and listening to music!
3. Some examples of (other) science careers
More alternative science careers
2.Bristol Neuroscience
hefceScience administration, management and policy Highly important roles in science MRC and related organisationsChance to shape policy in e.g. neuroethics
Teaching and education PGCE to become a teacher or related professionalScience Communication, public engagement.
Science and the mediaScientific publishing Careers in all other sectors of the media
Medicine Medical, dental or veterinary schoolParamedical careers: nursing, physiotherapy, alternative medicine
IT, robotics and computingNeuroscience highly relevant for information processing, computational systems, AI, robotics
Growing interest in the ‘brain-style’ approach in the world of IT – opportunities for neuroscientists
Science and artNew genre New ways to open science to the publicNew opportunities for careers
MRC, Artist: Dr Lizzie Burns
Neuroscience and biomedical research All fields, public and private sectorAll industries - drugs, food, washing powder!
A. How I stepped sideways - from academic career path to academic-related post
1. What does a background in academia provide?
2. Pearls of wisdom
3. Some examples and ideas
B. Other people’s sideways steps
C.Summary and any questions
Do I stay in academia?•Consider what YOU value, what is most rewarding and important for you
•Drawing up a pros and cons table can be really useful
•Re-evaluate at intervals; the highs and lows
•Take advantage of opportunities in your current job - you get out what you put in
How do I take a step sideways?•Use job flexibility to gain experience – teaching, voluntary work, public engagement
•TALK to anyone and everyone!
•Don’t forget, all jobs have pros and cons; ‘grass greener’
Summary and conclusions
Don’t panic!
Don't NOT apply for jobs because you don't have all the skills they are asking for –
you are an intelligent person and you will be able to learn new techniques quickly.
Go for it!
And if you do...
And to think that just yesterday you were a failed experiment, and I was a lonely scientist.
If all else fails...
