New Alternative Careers Blog
Cath Ennis
Friday, 11 July 2008 19:05 UTC
Hi all
I just wanted to let you know about a new blog to which I contribute. The Alternative Scientist focuses on scientific careers that don’t follow the traditional tenure track. There are multiple authors, and so far we have posts on non-tenure track academic positions; adjunct teaching; scientific administration; industry (biotech and big pharma, no less); advice on negotiating salaries; and my own posts on marketing and grant writing.
Comments and feedback welcome!
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They aren’t very polite about journal editor skills, are they? ;-)
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NIce. Added to the Google Reader. I just cleaned out my subscriptions recently and keep finding new interesting things to add!
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Maxine, do you mean this post? The AltSci blog author was actually defending you guys against DrugMonkey, who started the whole thing. I think a post about journal editor-type positions would be a hit on this new blog… would you like to write a guest post at some stage?
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The comments thread to that post is what I meant, yes, Cath. I don’t think we need “defending” (see here for a list of Nature editors and their qualifications and decide for yourselves if those editors are failed academics), but the comments thread is a bit sad.
I’ll think about a blog post, though a better option might be to have a link to the Ask the Nature Editor Nature Network forum in the blog sidebar?
What did you make of that recent post about the person who apparently ended up writing a lot of proposals and other material for their group, in which the poster is asking if this is widespread, and sexist behaviour? I thought that was a bit strange, in the generalization from one person’s experience.
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I think the blog is a good idea, but will be in danger of falling into the ‘whinging postdoc’ trap. I’d suggest making it clear to authors that they should write more generally on issues (as I can see many have done) than focus on one off negative case studies. It should be a place to share experience in a more professional manner, rather than a place to vent and criticize.
So called ‘Alternative’ career routes are normal now – there is nothing extraordinary about following them.
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I just took another look at it, and it seems a bit bimodal. Some of the posts seem to be very well-written and useful, whereas others rely on swear words, personal anecdote, etc. I think it might be better to have a more consistent and professional tone in the posts, at least (as some do), and limit the slight “ranty” air and the swear words to the comments – I think this would help it develop quickly into a useful and welcoming general resource.
Incidentally, the external link box is not consistent: it links to the Nature Network forum with the phrase “registration required” but you also need to register for some of the other resources which do not carry “registration required” next to them (eg Science’s equivalent forum). -
Thanks Maxine and Katy for the feedback, I’ll make sure our primary author sees it! I think I know what post you’re talking about, and it’s already been agreed that we should not feature this kind of post in future.
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Alternative Careers articles
Naturejobs has a collection of articles on multiple alternative careers (which, I agree with Kath, aren’t so “alternative” these days). I think what would benefit this thread is a combination of advice/anecdotes from people who’ve successfully trod some of these nonacademic paths and some questions from some who want to follow their lead. I understand the need to vent (or “whinge”, as they say in the UK), but wonder about how productive it is. I’ve been flamed for expressing this opinion before. But when you have a complaint about where your career is at and where you want it to go, it’s important to step back. Venting/whinging first (or maybe doing some kickboxing or primal screaming or whatever works for you) is a good first step. But directing anger at people who want to help you, or could potentially hire you might be counter-productive. In full-on contrarian mode, I’ll add that I agree with John Lydon (“Jonny Rotten”) of Sex Pistols fame that “anger is an energy”. However, you might ask yourself first how/where you will direct that. Will you use that energy to burn bridges? Or create them? -
(or maybe doing some kickboxing or primal screaming or whatever works for you)
ears perk up
kickboxing?
:)
I’m trying to forge my own path away from the bench right now actually. I don’t think I’m doing anything particularly novel, but I don’t have a direct role model. I’ve been fortunate to be able to conect with some great “ex-bench scientists” who always seem to enjoy talking about “alternative” careers and offering their advice.
Paul is absolutely right: direct your anger and malcontentment towards building the future and career you want.
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…my point being, it’s bloody hard work “breaking the mold”, but worth it if you really try.
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