It’s a new year and you are probably making resolutions in the hopes that 2016 will be a successful and productive year. For career-related resolutions, a good place to start within the NIH is the Office of Intramural Training & Education. Here at OITE, we often make resolutions of our own in order to help provide new resources. At the start of years past, we have created Career Success Plans as well Calendars for Career Success. However, often the first place to start with career development and planning is by meeting with a career counselor. There are many reasons why you might want to meet with a career counselor. Even…
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A Note from Our Career Counselors
Post written by a guest blogger Anne Kirchgessner, Career Counselor in OITE. In my role as a career counselor in the OITE Career Services Center, I often hear postdocs say something like “My mentor hasn’t done anything to help me get to the next step.” The sentiment is understandable. Your PhD advisor may have taken a more active role in your search for a postdoc position. Maybe your advisor made a call to get you your current position, or may have referred you to a colleague or collaborator. This sense of security using your PhD mentor’s contacts may fail when you realize that the next step is a new game…
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Top 7 Reasons That You Should Visit A Career Counselor
In the beginning of January, we posted a calendar with monthly steps to move your career forward. The February task was to meet with a career counselor. Here at OITE, we have two career counselors on staff. Anne and Elaine were kind enough to introduce themselves on the blog a couple of years ago. What makes them an enormous asset for you is that they exclusively advise scientists. They understand the career dynamics of fellows here at NIH and researchers in general. They have a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in career counseling and have already helped hundreds of fellows take the next step in their careers. Whether you…
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From the Archive: Career Tricks & Tips for Halloween
If a job search scares you more than ghosts and goblins this Halloween, we invite you to visit our graveyard. Tombstones in this cemetery are full of antiquated career practices, myths, and other negative emotions one might have around a job search. Past trainees have successfully buried these demons and threats and we hope you will too! RIP – Objective StatementStatements like “Seeking a responsible position in an industry lab doing cancer research” used to be common on resumes. Now it is seen as unnecessary filler. Instead, opt for a “Qualifications Summary” which highlights your main accomplishments relevant for the position at hand. For examples, check out the OITE Resume & CV…
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About the Career Services Center
The OITE Career Services Center was established in 2007 to serve all of the trainees in the NIH intramural community. Our goal is to ensure that NIH trainees are aware of the many jobs available, both at and away from the bench, and to provide the resources to help them identify good personal options. Our career counselors run workshops, lead small group discussions, and schedule individual appointments open to all. These are designed to assist trainees in self-assessment, career exploration, goal setting, and finding positions. Staffing for the Center includes: • career counselors, who can assist you with analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, and values; help you write resumes and CVs;…
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Why NIH Fellows Don’t Need to Pay for Career and Job Services
If you are a fellow at the NIH as a post-bac, graduate student, or post-doc, you are probably thinking about your next step after your fellowship, which likely involves a job search. There are many competing fee-based services available in the marketplace outside of the NIH. However, before you seek a service that would charge you an expensive fee, we invite you to check out all the FREE career resources through the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education . Many services are available to help you with your job search from deciding what you want to do, to reviewing resumes/CVs, and even practice interviews. If you are preparing for…
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New Year – New Career?
Happy 2019! According to this article, fewer people are making new year’s resolutions to exercise or lose weight. More people (37%, up from 6% in 2018) are focusing on saving money. Others seem to be resolving to make new friends (11%), get a new job (12%), and find love (7%). If you are among the 12% looking for a new job this new year, here are some career resolutions that can help you stay on track. Resolve to be more accountable by joining a job search group. If you want to make a change in your professional domain, you should start by making SMART resolutions. SMART is an acronym used…
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Career Tricks & Tips for Halloween
If a job search scares you more than ghosts and goblins this Halloween, we invite you to visit our graveyard. Tombstones in this cemetery are full of antiquated career practices, myths, and other negative emotions one might have around a job search. Past trainees have successfully buried these demons and threats and we hope you will too! RIP – Objective Statement Statements like “Seeking a responsible position in an industry lab doing cancer research” used to be common on resumes. Now it is seen as unnecessary filler. Instead, opt for a “Qualifications Summary” which highlights your main accomplishments relevant for the position at hand. For examples, check out the OITE…
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Family: An Important Influence in Career Decision Making
In recent weeks, many of our trainees have received offers to attend graduate school or for academic and industry jobs. Others are making decisions about where to apply and what career paths to choose. While exciting, it also can be stressful to choose among various options and offers. Here are a few family related questions that trainees bring to counseling sessions. What are the best jobs for scientists with families? We are returning to our home country to be near our family raise our children. How can I go about finding a job abroad? Should I disclose that I have a family during my interview? Will you help me…
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The Way to Go: SMART Career Resolutions
Happy New Year! It is that time of year to make career resolutions that you will accomplish during the next 12 months. Two years ago, in the New Year Careers Blog we suggested that trainees make an appointment with a career counselor. This year, to be more confident that you will accomplish your career goals , we suggest that you utilize the SMART goals strategy, Specific,Measurable, Achievable, Results driven, Time-specific when creating your resolutions. Using this strategy will take you further..faster! Here are some detailed examples for fellows to consider as you create your career resolutions for 2018. Postbacs General Resolution: Apply or re-apply to Medical School SMART Resolution: …
