Author Archives: SweetScience

How do THEY do it all?

Posted on June 25, 2019 by SweetScience

Staying organized, intensive scheduling, and prioritizing tasks is a critical skill that helps me be successful in my job, like many (but not all!) people in science and academia. In addition to my daily calendar schedule, I have a to-do … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, breathing, busy moms, efficiency, keeping sane, letting go, perfectionism, strengths and weaknesses, time management, work-life balance | Leave a comment

Book Club – The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist

Posted on April 29, 2019 by SweetScience

Ben Barres was a remarkable scientist – a modern-day giant who will undoubtedly be remembered in the field of neuroscience as a pioneer in uncovering the critical role of glia. He will also be remembered as a powerful proponent for … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Club, bosses, change, diversity, early career scientist, female scientist, LGBT, memoir, mentoring, research, role models, sexism, support, women in science, work-life balance | Leave a comment

How to welcome a new person to your department

Posted on March 29, 2019 by SweetScience

I recently went to a fun dinner party with a few colleagues from my new department, and I’d estimate that about half the faculty know me by name if they see me in the halls, which is pretty good… except … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, early career scientist, empathy, Environment, mentoring, new job, support | Leave a comment

What could be happening behind the scenes on the hiring committee?

Posted on July 23, 2018 by SweetScience

I recently heard an interesting story from a colleague about the hiring process for my position – and how I almost didn’t get an interview! Have you ever heard the behind the scenes story of how you got hired? It … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, Interview, job search, new job, uncertainty, vulnerability | 1 Comment

Unpaid Work

Posted on June 25, 2018 by SweetScience

It’s summer! I can hardly believe it – for the first time in 20 years I have an actual summer vacation with no job to do, until I teach again this fall! Only… that’s not really true at all. I … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, early career scientist, efficiency, finishing postdoctoral training, flexibility, new job, publishing, research, teaching, time management, trying to please others, work-life balance | 1 Comment

When should details of misconduct be made public?

Posted on March 23, 2018 by SweetScience

Amid the #metoo movement, we have seen extreme publicity of the Hollywood allegations of sexual misconduct, including the shocking and sensational details revealed by victims coming forward. We have seen some spread of this movement and publicity to other arenas … Continue reading →

Posted in #metoo, academia, conflict, misconduct, Public, public image, sexism, support, women in science, Women in STEM | 1 Comment

Getting to know you

Posted on January 26, 2018 by SweetScience

In my courses this semester I have over 100 neuroscience students, ranging from just-declared sophomores to early grad students, and I am trying to get to know each one! It’s a challenge but I know it’s important, especially for the … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, early career scientist, education, mentoring, no regrets, role models | 1 Comment

The hardest semester of my life

Posted on November 30, 2017 by SweetScience

Don’t worry, this post isn’t a complaint. I had the hardest semester of my life but I got something great out of it. I started a new job this fall – one of my top-choice careers, at one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, alternative career, confidence, dream job, early career scientist, education, finishing postdoctoral training, flexibility, gratitude, happiness, Illness, letting go, new job, no regrets, part time work, strengths and weaknesses, teaching, transitions, uncertainty | 2 Comments

Writing your own letter of recommendation

Posted on August 23, 2017 by SweetScience

In response to a recent post, a reader asked for advice on writing a letter of recommendation – specifically for oneself! Yes, for better or worse, “minor fraud” and ethics aside for this post, this is very common and important … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, bosses, finishing postdoctoral training, graduate school, job search, mentoring, postdoc, professional, research, strengths and weaknesses, support, uncertainty | 1 Comment

Feedback on job applications

Posted on July 17, 2017 by SweetScience

My partner and I applied separately for a number of Assistant Professor positions last year. We both had varying degrees of success at different institutions that really showed us where we stood in terms of what kinds of institutions were … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, early career scientist, finishing postdoctoral training, gratitude, Interview, job search, lack of jobs, mentoring, postdoc, strengths and weaknesses, support | 1 Comment