The Humble PhD and Postdoc
Thomas Magaldi, PhD
Director of Science Alliance
The PhD
“If you are smart enough to earn a PhD, you are smart enough not to pursue one!”
Someone who does not understand the value of a PhD
From the Bench to the Academy
PhD, Yale University, May 2012 Research Fellow, National Cancer Institute, August 2012 Director of Science Alliance, The Academy, May 2013
Blissful Ignorance/Denial(1st year)
Anger (2nd year)
Bargaining (3rd year)
Self Pity (4-5th years)
Knowledge, Acceptance and Action
My Graduate School Experience:
My Postdoc Experience: Blissful Ignorance/Denial(1st week)
Anger (2nd week)
Bargaining (3rd week)
Self Pity (4-5th week)
Knowledge, Acceptance and Action
Going through graduate school and your postdoc can be an emotional roller-coaster
Going through graduate school and your postdoc can be an emotional roller-coaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGSzqqcl62c
A Quick Berkeley LinkedIn Search Titles Medical Science Liaison Faculty Director of Marketing Equity Analyst Consultant Founder and CEO Medical Science Manager Chief of Discovery Chief Scientific Officer
Industry
Academia Marketing Consulting Finance Big Pharma Biotech Startups Outreach Medical Education
What aspects of graduate school and/or a postdoc do you find to be
the most challenging?
Have you ever felt like one of the characters from the Wizard of Oz?
Grass is Always Greener
Imposter
Definitions
No Heart – you have lost your passion for research No Courage – you are no longer willing to take risks Unrealistic – you believe that your situation is better
or worse than it is in reality Imposter Syndrome – you are worried that someone
will find out that you are not very bright No Brains – you are making mindless mistakes in the
lab and not using your time efficiently
Why did I lose my passion for science?
Employment of PhDs
Why do you love Science?
How do you regain that passion?
Attend scientific talks outside of your discipline Listen to general news programs about science (Radio lab and Science Fridays)
Find opportunities to teach and mentor children Find opportunities to talk about science in the
community
Rewarding Your Accomplishments
Treat.Yo.Self!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsABTmT1_M0
Celebrate your accomplishments
Big Publishing a paper Awards and honors Grant or fellowships Small Successful committee meeting Difficult experiment finally works* Abstract accepted for a conference
Definitions
No Heart – you have lost your passion for research No Courage – you are no longer willing to take risks Unrealistic – you believe that your situation is better
or worse than it is in reality Imposter Syndrome – you are worried that someone
will find out that you are not very bright No Brains – you are making mindless mistakes in the
lab and not using your time efficiently
Are you risk averse?
Are you conducting boring science?
Under what conditions do you conduct your best science?
Conducting Innovative Science
Can you find time and gain support to conduct “outside of the box experiments”? Start your own company
Join a do it yourself biology lab
Forge novel collaborations
Calculated risk not recklessness
Learned Helplessness
Is learned helplessness preventing you from seeking new career opportunities?
A PhD provides a plethora of career options
Degree in
STEM
Definitions
No Heart – you have lost your passion for research No Courage – you are no longer willing to take risks Unrealistic – you believe that your situation is better
or worse than it is in reality Imposter Syndrome – your are worried that
someone will find out that you are not very bright No Brains – you are making mindless mistakes in the
lab and not using your time efficiently
Is the grass really always greener?
Me People who did not pursue a PhD
What are the advantages to gaining a PhD in STEM ?
Graduate School and Postdoc Perks
Exploiting these perks
Take advantage of courses and training opportunities offered at Berkeley Use flexible time to pursue other interests and
develop other skills Meet as many brilliant people as possible Occasionally conduct radical experiments
Hard Times: Education and Employment, 2013 Georgetown University
People with graduate degrees suffer lower rates of unemployment
Hard Times: Education and Employment, 2013 Georgetown University
People with graduate degrees earn more $
Definitions
No Heart – you have lost your passion of research No Courage – you are no longer willing to take risks Unrealistic – you believe that your situation is better
or worse than it is in reality Imposter Syndrome – you are worried that someone
will find out that are not very bright No Brains – you are making mindless mistakes in the
lab and not using your time efficiently
Do you feel that you don’t belong?
Symptoms
Fear of being “discovered” as a fraud Every failed lab experiment makes you feel
more inadequate Distorted reality Unrealistic expectations for yourself
Consequences
Downshifting career goals Failing to take risks
Neglecting to ask intelligent questions
Decline opportunities to be evaluated
Remedies
Accept praise when it is given
Record your accomplishments
Talk to your peers about your concerns; create a
support group for students and postdocs
Seek professional counseling *
Definitions
No Heart – you have lost your passion for research No Courage – you are no longer willing to take risks Unrealistic – you believe that your situation is better
or worse than it is in reality Imposter Syndrome – you are worried that someone
will find out that are not very bright No Brains – you are making mindless mistakes in
the lab and not using your time efficiently
Having a PhD does not make you smart
Having a PhD does not make you smart
√A + √B = √C
A
B
C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pWSwfVDiq8
Just because your working hard doesn't mean you are being productive
Organize and Prioritize
Productivity vs hours worked
Hours worked per person engaged
GD
P pe
r hou
r wor
ked
What are bad reasons to stay late in the lab?
To create the illusion of working hard
To avoid exploring other career opportunities
To appease a guilty conscience
To compete with your lab mates
To avoid having to deal with reality
Clear Your Head Everyday
Learn Something Outside of Your Field
Where can you take a break from lab?
Take a Break
SMART Mentoring Student Mentoring and Research Teams
Discover the Possibilities
December 8th, 2014
Fifty exceptional students and early career scientists (MS, PhD, postdoc) will be selected for this unique opportunity to interact with PepsiCo's R&D leadership, learn about their efforts to develop products rooted in science-based nutrition, and get an exclusive glimpse of how science has shaped their careers.
For more information & registration, visit: www.nyas.org/PepsiCo
What Every International Student and Postdoc Should Know About US Employment
Monday, September 22, 2014 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Interested in hearing how H-1B sponsorship happens from the inside? Dan Beaudry, former head of campus recruiting at Monster.com, shares the potent job search system used by many international students and postdocs to find U.S. employment.
For more information & registration, visit: www.nyas.org/H1B2014
Grantsmanship for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM The ability to write research grants is now more important than ever. Therefore, graduate students and postdocs should be practicing grant writing skills early in their careers by applying for fellowships. Moreover, concise and persuasive writing skills are not only vital for a career in academia, but are essential for all career opportunities.
www.nyas.org/Grantsmanship
I Forgot a Character!
What pressures might your PI be under?
Its not easy being a PI
An Extreme Power Imbalance
Some Effective Tips Communication skills are vital
Learn how to manage conflict (http://grad.msu.edu/conflictresolution/)
You have certain rights that are non-negotiable Seek mentorship elsewhere
Hitting Rock Bottom
Do not take yourself too seriously!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqrCoyVK80I
Additional Resources
Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School (Adam Ruben) A PhD Is Not Enough!: A Guide to Survival in Science (Peter J. Feibelman) Tips for Surviving Graduate & Professional School (David Nguyen, PhD)
Please Take the SURVEY!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/UCB14
Contact Information:
Thomas Magaldi Director of Science Alliance
Website
www.nyas.org/sa
Join our LinkedIn page
www.nyas/org/linkedin-sa
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