There are many career development theories. A few we have reviewed on this blog have included Super’s Life-Span, Life-Space Theory as well as Krumboltz’s Happenstance Learning Theory. However, today we are going to be reviewing the Chaos Theory of Careers (CTC) as set forth by Pryor and Bright, 2011. According to the theorists, “The aim of chaos-informed career construction is to help clients continually explore their limits, the possibilities around them and to make sense of some of the mystery of themselves and their complex dynamical world.” What does this mean, though, in practical terms for your own career exploration and development? Some key factors of this theory include: Non-Linear…
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To Postdoc or Not?
Many PhDs are considering next career steps after the completion of their degree. A big question on many minds is, “Should I do a postdoc or not?” Stephanie Eberle addresses this question in an article on Inside Higher Ed, “Do You Need a Postdoc?” Eberle contends that “Many PhD students simply default to postdoctoral training as a logical next step, when instead they should be making a much more intentional choice.” This is similar advice to an OITE blog post on “Finding the Perfect Postdoc” where the very first question addressed is whether you really need a postdoc. OITE encourages you to explore what types of job are available for…
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How to Talk to Your PI
On the OITE Career Blog, we often write about mentoring relationships; after all, they are often vital to your success in the lab and beyond. We have written tips for mentees on managing their mentoring relationships and we have discussed how to talk about your career with your PI. Often, we are focusing on the high-level components of your mentoring relationship with your PI. Sometimes though it is important to focus on small, seemingly simplistic, tips which can help you have better conversations with your mentor. In Nature’s Career Column, Veuthey and Thompson put forth a basic suggestion in their article, “Why You Need an Agenda for Meetings with Your…
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Career Options Series – 10 Fields to Explore Further
The OITE Career Options Series within this blog is intended to give you a snapshot overview of different career paths. The goal of this blog series has been to help trainees explore a variety of different options by connecting you to relevant resources. After all, a large part of making a good career decision is done by gathering information about each field of interest. Here are ten careers that you can further explore within the series: Public Health Science Policy Technology Transfer Regulatory Affairs Bioinformatics Science Education & Outreach Industry Careers Biomedical Data Science Physician Assistant International Careers Of course, we encourage you to follow up this online research by…
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Waiting is Hard to Do
From the Archive: Blog written by Michael J. Sheridan, MSW, PhD, Special Advisor for Diversity and Wellness Programs, Michael.sheridan@nih.gov It is December 2019, and while many are enjoying the holidays, if you are trainee, you are probably asking yourself, “I haven’t heard back from a number of medical schools, is there something I can do to move them along? Should I assume I won’t get in? Will I get an interview at the graduate programs that I applied to? I am waiting to hear from academic positions …is there anything I can do? The good news is that, if you haven’t heard anything yet, you are still being considered. With the holidays fast…
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Career Exploration Road Map
The career exploration road map is a tool that was developed by Bill Lindstaedt and Jennie Dorman to help students/trainees visualize the career exploration process and track their progress. This tool was initially developed for graduate students and postdocs at the University of California, San Francisco, but is now available for all to use. The road map is intended to be career neutral as it is often understood that many trainees are considering both academic and non-academic career fields at the same time. The map guides you through six different stages of career exploration with a color to match each stage. 1. Self-Assessment (green) 2. Investigation (yellow) 3. Reflection (orange)…
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Marketing Your Research Experience for Project Management Positions
Scientists and trainees often have a hard time seeing how their lab-based skills can be applied beyond the bench. When you are job searching, whether you are seeking a position in academia, industry, or government, it is essential that you have a clear idea of your main attributes and how they could be applied to your intended position of choice. Identifying skills you already have developed and will be able to transfer to your next professional position is a key component of a successful job search. If you need help identifying possible transferable skills, take a look at the OITE blog post on “What are my transferable skills?” Many trainees…
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Why the 11th Annual Career Symposium is Awesome!
Why the 11th Annual Career Symposium is Awesome! The 11th Annual NIH Career Symposium is on May 18, 2018. This great event features career panels to help you make career decisions. Register now and join us! Top 11 things on why the career symposium is awesome: You can look at what careers you might want. We have faculty, industry, government, bench, non-bench jobs to highlight. Come hear about what these folks do all day at their jobs to make sure you are ready. You could also decide which careers do not fit you. If you are unsure what is next, you can “test” careers-it is just as important to…
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Opinion: Don’t Start Work Until Age 40
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Opinion: Don’t Start Work Until Age 40
According to Laura Carstensen, a Psychologist at the Stanford Center on Longevity, our lives and careers have been arranged wrong. She contends that we shouldn’t start working until the age of 40. Instead, she purports that rather than a four-decade professional sprint ending abruptly at age 65, we should plan for longer careers which are dotted with more breaks along the way. Breaks that account for the myriad factors in one’s life, namely family needs and opportunities for more learning. The current norms around career pacing don’t allow young adults to explore careers through education and apprenticeships. The current model doesn’t account for the demands that come with having children…
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Why the 11th Annual Career Symposium is Awesome!
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From the Archive: Making the Most of Your Transition to NIH
Part Two of a Two-Part Series on Transitions *** Before reading this post, take a moment to read Part One – Understanding the Impact of Change*** If you are just arriving at the NIH as a summer student, postbac, graduate student or postdoctoral or clinical fellow, adjusting to your experience at NIH represents a transition that will be one of many transitions you will face in your career. You may be starting a new phase after leaving a comfortable niche in your undergraduate or graduate university. Or you may be exploring some new opportunities. Having a model or road map for your transition can be helpful. William Bridges is a…
