Post Written By: Sara Hunter, Wellness Advisor, OITE The progress of knowledge is predicated on the development of new ideas and hypotheses that undergo intense scrutiny in order to be validated. This process is important. But that doesn’t always mean it’s easy.  We all know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this scrutiny – to have our work be harshly criticized or our ideas or goals be completely shut-down. It’s uncomfortable, disappointing, and at times even anxiety provoking as it can spark unhelpful thoughts of self-doubt and disillusionment around our work. So, in order to sustain in this field, how can we better equip ourselves…

We have updated some blog posts with more recent links and helpful articles. Here are a few to check out, in addition to the OITE blog posts below. STEM and LGBTQA+ Resource Guide from Arizona State University LGBT Science and Research Resources from the Society for the Psychology of Sexual orientation and Gender Diversity Report card published by the Medical Student Pride Alliance for LGBTQ support and equity initiatives at 30+ medical schools Nature Articles “Be kind to yourself”: an interview with Sebastian Groh on being a transgender early career scientist during a global pandemic “Turning point: Empathetic outreach” **** LGBTQ Employment and Training Opportunities: In addition to the helpful employment…

Post written by guest blogger, Janette Norrington, PhD, NIH Trainee Job searches are filled with uncertainty at every stage of the process, from the time we submit our applications to waiting for the results of a final interview. There is uncertainty about whether our hard work will pay off in the application process, if we will find a job, and how long a job search will last. As human beings, we crave security and a sense of control over our lives, so waiting to hear back about a job decision can be difficult and even painful. Job search uncertainty can cause us to feel anxious, stressed, and emotionally drained. To…

One of the biggest frustrations we hear from job seekers and networkers is that their outreach emails go unanswered.  Much like what is recommended in Science Careers “Cold Emails and Hot Coffee” it is important to write a good message to increase your chances of a reply. Writing a good email means offering value and respecting their time. Most people don’t read long emails anymore, so when in doubt, edit your message down and make your request very clear.  In Steve Dalton’s book The 2-Hour Job Search, he recommends a 6-point email which is shorter, simpler, and more efficient than most messages. Here are his key six points to keep…

With the delta variant on the rise, many companies have delayed a return to the office. Some companies saw how well employees worked from home and adopted permanent telework policies. Even those who do clinical or lab work find that many projects are being relegated to work from home days to allow for more physical distancing in small spaces. Whatever the case is for you, it is clear that working from home is here to stay, so here are three tips to make working from home more effective. 1. Create and stick to a work schedule.One surprise statistic of working from home is that employees tend to work longer hours.…

Post written by guest blogger, Janette Norrington, PhD, NIH Trainee Job searches can be stressful and overwhelming; we wonder how long it will take find a position and whether that position will be the right one for us. While some stress is normal and even beneficial, multiple stressors or chronic stress can cause our bodies to be in a constant state of high alert. High levels of stress can lead to poor concentration and cognitive functioning, irritability, professional burnout, and health problems. Fortunately, stress resilience can counter the negative effects of chronic stressors. Stress resilience is the ability to effectively cope and manage adversity. Job searches require high levels of…

Guest writer: Anne Kirchgessner, LCPC, NCC, Career Counselor  You may be feeling the need for extra mentoring support during this challenging time of the Covid pandemic. Staggered work schedules could be making you feel like you are never able connect with your PI or colleagues for one-on-one support. Remember that everyone in the world, including your mentors, may be affected by the disruptions that the pandemic continues to bring.  Also, sometimes a mentor may not be able to help you with a specific concern; e.g. a fellow wants help with an industry job search and her mentor has no experience that is related to Industry. Have a conversation with your…

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a record four million people quit their jobs in April 2021 spurring what many are calling the “Great Resignation”.  Research by Microsoft’s 2021 Work Trend Index also showed that 41% of the workforce is considering leaving their employer this year. In normal times, people quitting jobs in large numbers indicates a healthy economy with plentiful jobs. Hiring is quickly accelerating again, but these are still not normal times. The pandemic has caused a recession and millions of people continue to be out of work. Yet despite all of this, employers are now complaining about acute labor shortages across many fields/sectors. What is Causing…

Traditionally, an address was always included on a resume simply because physical mail was the main means of communication. Today, most hiring takes place online, so a full physical address often seems unnecessary. To be clear, you should always include your name and contact information on your documents, but many applicants are simply choosing to include their phone number and email. Employers often like to see an address on your resume because they are creating an applicant profile for you in their system and traditionally, your address was one component of this profile. Some employers also like to see your location in relation to the job’s location. This lets them…

By: Sara Hunter, Wellness Advisor, OITE In last week’s blog post, we noted some key differences between being “tough” and being “resilient”. Here are some basic tips to begin to move away from the ineffective and exhausting patterns of toughness to help move you closer to a more resilient self: Recognize setbacks as a part of the learning process: Resilient people don’t complacently invite setbacks (or like how they feel). Rather, they accept them when they happen, identify where they can have impact next time and adjust as needed. Practical Skill: RADICAL ACCEPTANCE – Identify what you can and can’t control. Shift your focus to your sphere of control. This…