New posting! This one is a #HowTo guide on how NOT to start a research group in #academia - in other words, all the things that I wish I'd done differently or that I wish I'd been more aware of when I started back in 2015. I hope that helps anyone else out there taking their first steps in this direction! (And any comments/additions very welcome). 👇
@ChrisWilms23 @TIR_scienceblog
Good advice, and definitely not self-pitying, as you seem to worry near the end. On the contrary—honest self-examination is healthy and valuable. Thanks for sharing!
@TIR_scienceblog great post and not “pity me” at all! I think the mentoring committee is a good suggestion. Having done this officially and unofficially for a few junior scientists, I feel it can be very helpful. It relies on the scientist giving an honest reflection of their situation and being prepared to act on advice which is not always the case. A mix of external people with no skin in the game and internal people who can see through any sugar coating is probably good.
@TIR_scienceblog I very much agree with your post. The "1% of graduate students will become professors in the end" statistic is at the root of it all, and more people should know it (and reason through the implications) before they embark on an academic career.
I heard this statistic early in my graduate program, in a room full of bright-eyed freshly started PhD students. I did a rough count and figured that statistically speaking, none of them was likely to get a professorship in the end.
@TIR_scienceblog Very well written and interesting. So valuable and generous to share this with others.
Speakingbas someone who has made a career outside Academia myself, it can be far more rewarding than many people realise. I hope you find employers who appreciate and support you, and ways to use your intellect and skills in rewarding ways.
@TIR_scienceblog
Only just reading this
https://totalinternalreflectionblog.com/2023/03/19/changing-lanes/#more-3029
Very powerful pieces, thanks for sharing this.
@TIR_scienceblog Too late to matter but if an institution isn’t invested in your success, you will always be the last to get support. Good luck in your new ventures. Academia is poorer for your loss.
@TIR_scienceblog Great reading and sound advice, as always.