Did you see this week's episode of "CHOPPED?" It contained one of the most ridiculous combinations of foods I've seen yet. The chefs had to incorporate the following into an appetizer: kabocha squash, sardines, banana chips, and rice paper. WHAT? Tough basket for this week's chefs, for sure. On to our version of CHOPPED... So, what is a CV, anyway? That is a question I often hear from trainees. A more common question is: "What (on earth) is the difference between a CV and a résumé?" A curriculum vitae (CV) is a document that outlines your entire academic history.

I met recently with a friend who described her son's gifts in detail: he can pick up just about any instrument and play it right off the bat; he can take apart a computer, order any needed parts online, and fix it himself; he can read a poem and analyze it, without any formal training as a literature scholar. However, when it comes to identifying jobs that might be a good fit for him, he continues to come up empty.

What are you interested in? Are you a knitter? A rock climber? A serial book club attendee? Whatever your interests, chances are you have endeavored to carve out time to enjoy them, or found a group of people who share them. Similarly, we all have career interests--whether we are ready to pursue said careers or not. I, for one, have a children's book manuscript hidden in my desk drawer that is not yet ready for prime time. I would, however, be interested in meeting a group of people curious about the same field. Fortunately, as a trainee at the NIH, you can find groups of like-minded people right in your own backyard.

While it occurs to most of us that cursing via work email is inappropriate, several major financial firms on Wall Street are now developing policy to prevent foul language in business discourse. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal cited Goldman Sachs, Citigroup Inc., and J.P.

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have spent some time on the Bethesda campus of the NIH, meeting with focus groups of trainees to discuss the new OITE website. While the trainees shared some ideas for improving the site, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive--so I encourage you to check out the site if you haven't done so already! While there, one of the postdocs I met (a brave soul) volunteered to have his resume CHOPPED today. Below is his resume (minus identifying information) and my comments in red.

"But I have no skills!"

I have heard this refrain more often than any other throughout my 12 years as a career counselor for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. The truth is that grad students and postdocs build myriad skills throughout their research programs that are attractive to employers in any sector.

Following are a few myths worth debunking:

Getting fit is beneficial on so many levels...but the financial, perhaps. My future brother-in-law lost 43 pounds, so he is now finding his closet full of clothes that no longer fit. Luckily he enjoys shopping, but needs to replace his wardrobe with smaller sizes. Size is an important aspect to consider when evaluating job opportunities and employers, as the size of a company can dramatically affect the culture of a workplace, access to advancement, resources, and more.

About a year and a half ago, Ryan, Inc., a tax services firm based in Dallas, Texas, instituted a dramatic shift in their company's structure. The firm changed their 9-5, office-based work culture to one where employees can work anytime and any place they desire. Along with this significant change came a new sense of accountability, as each employee has deadlines to meet and objectives to reach.

Chevre Strawberry Jam. Golden Beet Saffron. Russian Imperial Stout. Salted Licorice. White Chocolate Lavender. These are just a few of the inventive ice cream flavors offered at Humphry Slocombe in San Francisco. Co-owners Jake Godby and Sean Vahey have managed to infuse their products with an abundance of unusual tastes, from crème fraîche to olive oil.

It has been so hot in CT this week, I have broken a sweat just walking from freezing, air-conditioned buildings, to my car. Yikes!