Networking

Jason
Sherwin

Moving Around and Following One’s Nose

I’ve gotten some requests on this blog to go a little more into my research. Don’t worry! It’s coming. But, for now, I want to focus on a “career-related” issue, since this is a bio career related blog. In particular, this entry is a response to an article that recently appeared in the Wal...


Kate
Sleeth

The Benefits of Participation

In my second article I mentioned the benefits of participating in associations and committees.  I thought I should expand on these and give specifics using myself as an example. I was involved in scientific communication for years back in the UK.  While I was a graduate student, I had the pleas...


Peggy
McKee

Scientific Networking

The whole concept of networking can be intimidating for people, especially those in scientific or technical fields whose personalities don’t tend to be outgoing (unlike others in, say, sales).  And for many, networking while you’re looking for a new job can feel a lot like asking for a ...


Wenny
Lin

Scientists and social media – are we behind the curve?

In the October 2010 issue of The Scientist, Associate Editor Richard Grants noted in his editorial that “only a fraction of researchers in the UK make frequent use of social media tools.” I suspect that is also the case here in the US.


Peggy
McKee

Don’t Take a Holiday from Your Job Search

Lots of people think that there’s no point to looking for a new job during the holiday season…and they’re busy with their own celebrations with family and friends, so they just take a few weeks off, thinking they’ll come back fresh in the New Year.  Don’t make that mistake. The ho...


Clement
Weinberger

Do scientists really need social networks?

The short answer is “yes.” Of course they do. But the best networks would probably not be Facebook clones. Why not? Well, because Facebook helps people find people. Scientists need networks that help people find information. The label “Scientists” is a very big one and includes a lot of ...


Wenny
Lin

Spinning a good story with all the facts

My PhD advisor was a creative and engaging storyteller. Negative results in our vaccine experiments were interpreted as “damaging to the immune system” or “dangerous in the clinic.” Positive observations meant that an experimental vaccine “worked like a charm” or “could save countl...


Clement
Weinberger

On social networks (yet)?

… or not on them? In fact, all of us are members of social networks. We have circles of friends and acquaintances, and we interact with professional colleagues and associates every day. That's true whether you are a basic or medical researcher, a physician or other healthcare provider, medical wri...


Ex Lab
Junkie

The Kitchen Wars - At Work

As I write this, dishes are piled high in the sink, almost falling on the floor, but I refuse to clean up the mess. I am mad enough to spit… yes, spit! Lazy husband? No. Distracted kids? No. Dysfunctional work-place family? In the wise words of Samuel L. Jackson — “Oh, hell yeah!” At w...


Christie
Canaria

What does a scientist look like?

Today is my birthday! It's really just another day. I don't feel older than I did yesterday. I don't look older than I did yesterday. Sometimes, though, I wonder how work would feel if I visibly aged - just a little - overnight. For the most part, I consider myself lucky in the aging process....