I may be in my mid to late twenties, but unlike most of my peers, I have never had a blog. Really, not one blog. Not on Xanga or Blogger or even MySpace. I have a Facebook page but its really quite shameful compared to the effort some of my friends put into theirs.
But maybe it was that I hadn’t found the right community to keep me engaged. That’s when I came across the Nature Network and found an online community that was so vibrant, supportive, fun and also beneficial to my scientific growth!
So here I am with my first blog and I wanted to start off with a little information about myself:
I am a Microbiology PhD student in, what I hope, is my final year before heading to a postdoc. In this blog I plan to chronicle my experiences in completing a PhD and securing a postdoc in the life sciences. There are sure to be many ups and downs and probably some funny stories too.
I look forward to any advice I might get from my fellow scientists throughout this process as well as the chance to provide some insight to those still marching towards this stressful year.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome! We might be a bit odd over here, but we’re a friendly bunch.
Hi Elizabeth, and welcome to NN!
I have no idea what Cath is talking about. Honest. (The bit odd part, not the friendly part.)
I am at the opposite end of postgraduate study to you, so I look forward to reading what you have to say!
Welcome, Elizabeth!
Welcome!
Welcome onboard, Elizabeth. I hope we will continue to be your vibrant, supportive, fun and also beneficial to your scientific growth online community for a long time to come – well into your postdoc and beyond.
Welcome to the party, Elizabeth. It’s always good to see a new blogger starting on Nature Network.
(wanders in late)
Welcome! And, err, what Cath wrote. Do you have any cute photogenic animals?
It’s always good to see a new blogger starting on Nature Network.
Agreed, unless they are too insightful or interesting ;-)
Thank you all for the welcome posts! It was a great way to start my day!
@Cath Ennis: I wonder what qualifies as “odd” among scientists versus what the rest of the world’s parameters are?
@Bob O’Hara: We used keep pretty beta fish in lab by my desk…but then we got a Biosafety Level 2 certification and the beta fish are no longer allowed. Sigh
@Frank Norman: I will try to keep my inner genius and Pulitzer prize writing level at bay for Matt Brown’s sake ;-)
You know what they say about microbiologists: they do it with culture and sensitivity. By the way, do you happen to know if this bus goes to the station? The other lot know, I’m sure, but they’ll never tell me. It’s really most annoying. Anyway, if you could help, I’d be most grateful.
Welcome to the party-it is hoppin’ 24-7.
(wonders if there are also gamma fish)
Welcome!
Welcome Elizabeth! Good luck with your last year! (I hope it’s really a year and not “the last two and a half years”…)
And welcome from over here. Some things you may need to know:
(1) Henry doesn’t know if the bus goes to the station. He may ask you this from time to time. You are free to answer in any way you wish, or not.
(2) Do NOT, I repeat NOT, do anything to provoke Nature Networkers to start making puns. Really.
(3) Be careful of Bob’s question. Your comments may fill up with photos of kittycats, Henry’s dog, and various other cuddly animals.
Other than that, it’s perfectly safe here. :) Apart from all the sarcasm, that is ;)
Whenever I feel like writing up my PhD, I lie down and the feeling goes away
Just thought I should get my retaliation in first. Just sayin’.
Richard, your counsel was illuminating and gave me a good chuckle. Thanks!
Welcome!!! It seems to me that we got a lot in common: I’m also a rookie around here and I have to finish my Ph.D. in October… so, welcome again and I’m looking forward reading your posts! Have fun! ;-)
And welcome from me, too!
A cuddly cat, Tuesday.
Hey, Richard started it!
Welcome Elizabeth! Looking forward to reading future posts!
Cuddly cats and dogs. It isn’t so bad in here after all, Elizabeth. Warm welcome!
Ok, I’m going to have nightmares now. And that cat picture is pretty creepy, too.
Welcome Elizabeth. As a newbie myself I’ll be trying to get up to speed along with you.