Research Career Development-Research Career Development-

Intro to Careers and the Intro to Careers and the DoctorateDoctorate

Gail P. TaylorGail P. Taylor

Fall 2010Fall 2010

09/19/2013

Dr. Gail P. TaylorDr. Gail P. Taylor►Asst. Program Director MBRS-RISEAsst. Program Director MBRS-RISE►Research Training Program SpecialistResearch Training Program Specialist►Professional Development CoordinatorProfessional Development Coordinator

► Beyond the Beakers: SMART Advice for Entering Graduate Programs in the Sciences and Engineering. Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine/National Science Foundation. 2005

► Survival Skills and Ethics Program:Survival Skills and Ethics Program: Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond www.pitt.edu/~survival

► The Leadership Alliance –The Leadership Alliance – Graduate School Guidehttp://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/grad_guide.pdf

Tips on Preparing for and Applying to Graduate Schoolhttp://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/tips.pdf

► Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond (1996). Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) http://books.nap.edu/books/0309053935/html/11.html

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:

What do I want to do to earn a What do I want to do to earn a living???living???

Assumption of this Course:Assumption of this Course:You are all interested in You are all interested in “going all the way” to a “going all the way” to a

Doctorate!Doctorate!

What is it?What is it?How do I get there?How do I get there?

Then What?Then What?

Focus of This LectureFocus of This Lecture

►What is a career?What is a career?► Focusing on the Ph.D.Focusing on the Ph.D.

Highest Degree that can be earned…Highest Degree that can be earned…► Examines “match” between careers and Examines “match” between careers and

personality/valuespersonality/values► Introduction to Biology/Chem/Engineering optionsIntroduction to Biology/Chem/Engineering options► Personality type can select path within a Personality type can select path within a

particular field…particular field…► Examines “match” between career direction and Examines “match” between career direction and

personality/valuespersonality/values► Examines Scientist AttributesExamines Scientist Attributes

What is the Difference What is the Difference between a Career and a between a Career and a

Job?Job?

What is a Job?What is a Job?

►A set of tasks or performances to earn A set of tasks or performances to earn the money necessary to survive.the money necessary to survive.

►The individuality of the person in the The individuality of the person in the “Job” is often irrelevant.“Job” is often irrelevant.

►Emotional buy-in is not necessaryEmotional buy-in is not necessary

What is a Career?What is a Career?

►Your lifework or walk of lifeYour lifework or walk of life►A chosen pursuit; a profession or A chosen pursuit; a profession or

occupation. occupation. ►A calling/vocation, that is tailored to, A calling/vocation, that is tailored to,

and requires, an individual’s talents and requires, an individual’s talents and strengthsand strengths

►Often requires additional schoolingOften requires additional schooling

Many Questions will Influence Many Questions will Influence Career Career

What am I good at?

How muchimpact do I

want to have?

How ambitious

am I?

How Longwill My

Schooling be?

What aremy Values

in Life?

Getting Good Answers…Getting Good Answers…

►Arise from Good Questions you askArise from Good Questions you ask►Must be based on CORRECT Must be based on CORRECT

informationinformation►Must arise from adequate self-Must arise from adequate self-

knowledgeknowledge►Time should be “loosely” considered, Time should be “loosely” considered,

compared to “dreams”compared to “dreams”►Should NOT be based on fearShould NOT be based on fear

How to Find out about a How to Find out about a Career…Career…

► Family historyFamily history► Personal HistoryPersonal History

Teacher impacted Teacher impacted youyou

Doctor helped youDoctor helped you► Mentor, friends & Mentor, friends &

acquaintancesacquaintances► TelevisionTelevision► InternetInternet► Counselors/Career Counselors/Career

CenterCenter

► Take Take courses/classescourses/classes

► Summer programs Summer programs & internships & internships

► Shadowing Shadowing someone someone

► AdvertisementsAdvertisements

►Or…Or…

Training Programs, Training Programs, Like RISE and MARCLike RISE and MARC

Which do You Want?Which do You Want?

Job or Career?Job or Career?

You have decided Career….You have decided Career….

Attributes of a Attributes of a Successful ScientistSuccessful Scientist

Depends on whom you ask….Depends on whom you ask….

http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/careers/appb.html

What do you think are the What do you think are the primary attributes of successful primary attributes of successful

scientists?scientists?

Get together into groups and Get together into groups and discuss for 5 minutes…discuss for 5 minutes…

How does the Media Portray How does the Media Portray Scientists?Scientists?

Characteristics of ScientistsCharacteristics of Scientists

Scientists are people of very dissimilar temperaments Scientists are people of very dissimilar temperaments doing different things in very different ways. Among doing different things in very different ways. Among scientists are collectors, classifiers and compulsive scientists are collectors, classifiers and compulsive tidiers-up; many are detectives by temperament and tidiers-up; many are detectives by temperament and many are explorers; some are artists and others many are explorers; some are artists and others artisans. There are poet-scientists and philosopher-artisans. There are poet-scientists and philosopher-scientists and even a few mystics.scientists and even a few mystics.

—PETER MEDAWAR, Pluto's Republic, Oxford University Press, New —PETER MEDAWAR, Pluto's Republic, Oxford University Press, New York, 1982, p. 116.York, 1982, p. 116.

Characteristics of ScientistsCharacteristics of Scientists

► "When most people think of science, they think of "When most people think of science, they think of white coats, laboratories, and high-powered white coats, laboratories, and high-powered computers. But science is science even without computers. But science is science even without such superficial trimmings. At its heart is a very such superficial trimmings. At its heart is a very simple idea: "check it out." People who approach simple idea: "check it out." People who approach the world as scientists do are skeptical. They are the world as scientists do are skeptical. They are not content to take someone else's word that not content to take someone else's word that anything is so, no matter how eminent an authority anything is so, no matter how eminent an authority that someone may be. Scientific knowledge is that someone may be. Scientific knowledge is based not on hearsay, but on reality. Scientists take based not on hearsay, but on reality. Scientists take nothing on faith." nothing on faith."

► Thomas Easton, Careers in Science, 2004Thomas Easton, Careers in Science, 2004

Attributes of a Scientist IAttributes of a Scientist I

► ““One does not have One does not have to be terrifically to be terrifically brainy to be a good brainy to be a good scientist…”scientist…”

► Yes, if hooked…Yes, if hooked… Exhilaration of Exhilaration of

discoverydiscovery Satisfaction of solved Satisfaction of solved

problemsproblems

► Virtues: Virtues: Common senseCommon sense ApplicationApplication DiligenceDiligence Sense of purposeSense of purpose ConcentrationConcentration Perseverance in Perseverance in

adversity…adversity…

Peter Medawar, Advice to a Young Scientist

Scientist Characteristics IIScientist Characteristics II

►1. imagination1. imagination►2. concentration 2. concentration ►3. integrity 3. integrity

Peter Faletra Ph.D. Office of Science Peter Faletra Ph.D. Office of Science Department of Energy Department of Energy

Newton Website, DOE http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99983.htm

Scientist Characteristics IVScientist Characteristics IV

►1. A keen sense of curiosity1. A keen sense of curiosity►2. Natural skeptic- 2. Natural skeptic-

strong reliance on "the data“strong reliance on "the data“ ““show me your numbers".show me your numbers".

►3. Tenacity3. Tenacity►4. Analytical skills4. Analytical skills►5. Critical thinking5. Critical thinking

Training for a Training for a Doctoral DegreeDoctoral Degree

What is “Graduate School?”What is “Graduate School?”

► Additional education beyond undergraduate Additional education beyond undergraduate yearsyears

► To obtain a degree higher than a bachelor's To obtain a degree higher than a bachelor's degree. degree.

►Degrees range fromDegrees range from Master's degrees (M.A., M.S./M.Sc., M.Ed., etc.),Master's degrees (M.A., M.S./M.Sc., M.Ed., etc.), Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.A., D.Sc., D.M.A., Doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.A., D.Sc., D.M.A.,

Th.D., etc.)Th.D., etc.) Other postgraduate qualification (MBA), such as Other postgraduate qualification (MBA), such as

a graduate certificate, as well as some a graduate certificate, as well as some professional degrees. professional degrees.

► en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_school

Training…Training…

►All of the careers requiring a Doctorate All of the careers requiring a Doctorate come out of basic training as a come out of basic training as a research scientist, chemist or research scientist, chemist or engineer, in an academic institutionengineer, in an academic institution

Standard Ph.D. Training Standard Ph.D. Training PathPath

UG – BiologicalChemistry

M.S. Degree

Post BaccResearch

DoctoralStudies

Academic Postdoc

Industry Postdoc

Government Postdoc

ContinueEducation

Other Career

Academics

Government

Industry

Other

1-2 Yrs

UG – Engineering

EngineeringWork

3 - 6 Yrs

4 - 7 Yrs

TrainingTraining

► UndergraduateUndergraduate► Postbacc/MS/WorkPostbacc/MS/Work

Interim- Interim- ►Greater trainingGreater training►Maturity/confidenceMaturity/confidence►Experience neededExperience needed

►Doctorate or Combined DegreeDoctorate or Combined Degree Initial training- research and otherwiseInitial training- research and otherwise

► Postdoctoral WorkPostdoctoral Work ““advanced” apprenticeship/trainingadvanced” apprenticeship/training Greater independenceGreater independence Can Change Fields…Can Change Fields…

What is a Doctoral What is a Doctoral Degree and Why Would Degree and Why Would you want to Earn One?you want to Earn One?

What is a Doctorate (Ph.D.)?What is a Doctorate (Ph.D.)?► Latin: Philosophiae Doctor Latin: Philosophiae Doctor ► A A doctorate or doctoral degreedoctorate or doctoral degree is is

An An academic degree of the highest level. of the highest level. Recognition of the candidate as an equal by the Recognition of the candidate as an equal by the

university faculty under which he studied. faculty under which he studied. Usually research doctorates are awarded in Usually research doctorates are awarded in

recognition of academic researchrecognition of academic research► Is of a publishable standard (even if not actually published)Is of a publishable standard (even if not actually published)►Represents at least a modest contribution to human Represents at least a modest contribution to human

knowledgeknowledge► Is usually assessed by submission and Is usually assessed by submission and defense of a of a

doctoral doctoral thesis or or dissertation, though in some cases a , though in some cases a coherent body of published literature can be accepted coherent body of published literature can be accepted instead. instead.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_school

History of the Doctoral History of the Doctoral DegreeDegree

►Originally from the Originally from the Greek Διδάκτωρ Greek Διδάκτωρ Φιλοσοφίας, meaning Φιλοσοφίας, meaning "Teacher of "Teacher of Philosophy" Philosophy"

►Latin: Latin: Doctor Doctor philosophiæphilosophiæ

►Definition: PhilosophyDefinition: Philosophy "love of wisdom" or "love of wisdom" or

"friend of wisdom". "friend of wisdom".

History of Ph.D.History of Ph.D.

►Originally:Originally: a degree granted by a universitya degree granted by a university For learned individualsFor learned individuals Had achieved the approval of their peersHad achieved the approval of their peers had demonstrated a long and productive had demonstrated a long and productive

careercareer

► It indicated a life dedicated to learning, It indicated a life dedicated to learning, to knowledge, and to the spread of to knowledge, and to the spread of knowledge knowledge

Ph.D. History IIPh.D. History II

►Popularized in the 19th centuryPopularized in the 19th century►Friedrich Wilhelm University in BerlinFriedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin►Granted to someone who had Granted to someone who had

undertaken original research in the undertaken original research in the sciences or humanities. sciences or humanities.

►Spread to the United States, arriving Spread to the United States, arriving at Yale University in 1861.at Yale University in 1861.

Nomenclature – Getting a Nomenclature – Getting a DoctorateDoctorate

►Doctoral trainingDoctoral training► Training towards doctorateTraining towards doctorate► Pre-doctoral training / Predoctoral trainingPre-doctoral training / Predoctoral training►Graduate TrainingGraduate Training► Combined DegreesCombined Degrees

MD/Ph.D.MD/Ph.D. MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program)MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program) DDS/Ph.D.DDS/Ph.D. DVM/Ph.D., etcDVM/Ph.D., etc

Why Earn a DoctorateWhy Earn a Doctorate► Career “fits” your values/strengths/prioritiesCareer “fits” your values/strengths/priorities

Kids who ask “why” - Thrive on intellectual stimulationKids who ask “why” - Thrive on intellectual stimulation Explorers, Inventors, BuildersExplorers, Inventors, Builders Benefit world/humanity – Disease, Hunger, Pollution, Green Benefit world/humanity – Disease, Hunger, Pollution, Green

ChemistryChemistry Prestige/authorityPrestige/authority

►Highest degree, allows you to be in chargeHighest degree, allows you to be in charge► Learn to perform researchLearn to perform research

Further fieldFurther field Love doing itLove doing it

► Skills setsSkills sets SpecificSpecific

► Laboratory techniquesLaboratory techniques Non-specificNon-specific

► Critical thinkingCritical thinking► AdministrationAdministration► Planning, etc.Planning, etc.

Why Earn a Doctorate IIWhy Earn a Doctorate II► Long Term OpportunitiesLong Term Opportunities► AutonomyAutonomy

You carry your careerYou carry your career Develop own ideasDevelop own ideas As Ph.D., can possibly As Ph.D., can possibly

► Set your own hoursSet your own hours► Choose your own topicChoose your own topic

► OpportunityOpportunity Can be “in charge” Can be “in charge” Teach at College/Univ.Teach at College/Univ. Required for running Required for running

research programsresearch programs Required for Required for

advancementadvancement

► FinancialFinancial CompaniesCompanies Not hugely rich, but Not hugely rich, but

comfortablecomfortable► EducatorsEducators

Only way to be 4 yr Only way to be 4 yr college fac.college fac.

Want to educate othersWant to educate others Want to mentor othersWant to mentor others Want to have influenceWant to have influence

► Public PolicyPublic Policy Want to impact nation…Want to impact nation…

Personal and Financial Costs of Personal and Financial Costs of Doctoral EducationDoctoral Education

► Delay Career entryDelay Career entry► Standard of LivingStandard of Living

Live on 21 – 27K salaryLive on 21 – 27K salary► Some add in loansSome add in loans

Health Insurance?Health Insurance? Family hardshipFamily hardship Location issuesLocation issues

► Financial Losses Financial Losses Engineering – likely not Engineering – likely not

make up missed incomemake up missed income Biology – Likely will make Biology – Likely will make

up missed incomeup missed income

► RelationshipsRelationships Can be hard- long hoursCan be hard- long hours Can delay childbearingCan delay childbearing

► LocationLocation During trainingDuring training After trainingAfter training

► StressStress Are several difficult timesAre several difficult times

► Qualifying exams (2Qualifying exams (2ndnd year)year)

► Experiments not Experiments not workingworking

► ~Midway- Did I make a ~Midway- Did I make a mistake?mistake?

Why NOT to enter Doctoral Why NOT to enter Doctoral ProgramProgram

► Boost weak egoBoost weak ego► Impress othersImpress others► Job guarantee (not)Job guarantee (not)► For your parentsFor your parents► Personal Personal

intelligence testintelligence test

►Delay entry to work Delay entry to work forceforce

►WealthWealth

Time to DegreeTime to Degree►All 2003 doctorates in ScienceAll 2003 doctorates in Science►With MS data included: With MS data included:

8.3 yrs since BS8.3 yrs since BS 6.9 yrs enrolled to degree6.9 yrs enrolled to degree 31.2 Years old for Life Sciences31.2 Years old for Life Sciences

►People who did not earn MSPeople who did not earn MS 7.1 yrs since BS7.1 yrs since BS 6.1 in degree6.1 in degree 29.9 Years old29.9 Years old

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06312/

Age of Those Getting Age of Those Getting DoctoratesDoctorates

►Average age of Science and Average age of Science and Engineering Doctorates (1995 – 1999) Engineering Doctorates (1995 – 1999) 31.8 years.31.8 years.

►My duration 5 years 9 monthsMy duration 5 years 9 months

►837,000 Ph.D.s in S&E837,000 Ph.D.s in S&E►(1995 – 1999) U.S. Minorities 14% (1995 – 1999) U.S. Minorities 14%

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06319/chap3.cfm

Which Direction Which Direction Should I Go WITH a Should I Go WITH a

Doctorate?Doctorate?

General Directions in the General Directions in the Sciences and Engineering…Sciences and Engineering…

► Proportions vary by Field…Proportions vary by Field…► AcademiaAcademia

Colleges, Universities, Med Schools – Education taking Colleges, Universities, Med Schools – Education taking placeplace

► IndustryIndustry Private CorporationsPrivate Corporations

► GovernmentGovernment Federal: NIH, National Laboratories, Army Corp of Federal: NIH, National Laboratories, Army Corp of

EngineersEngineers State: Texas Parks and Wildlife, TxDOTState: Texas Parks and Wildlife, TxDOT Local: Paid by cityLocal: Paid by city

► Non-TraditionalNon-Traditional Self-employed/ContractorSelf-employed/Contractor HS Teacher, etc.HS Teacher, etc.

Careers in BiologyCareers in Biology

► ResearchResearch All levelsAll levels

► HealthcareHealthcare Big Pre-health degreeBig Pre-health degree

► EducationEducation SecondarySecondary College LecturerCollege Lecturer ProfessorProfessor

► Environmental WorkEnvironmental Work► Sales Sales ► Biotechnology Biotechnology ► Forensic science Forensic science

► Politics and policy Politics and policy ► Business and industry Business and industry ► EconomicsEconomics► InsuranceInsurance► Patent Work/LawPatent Work/Law► Mathematics/Comp. SciMathematics/Comp. Sci

Bioinformatics, etcBioinformatics, etc► Science writing and Science writing and

communicationcommunication► Art/MuseumsArt/Museums► Etc…Etc…

http://www.aibs.org/careers/index.html

Careers in ChemistryCareers in Chemistry

► Basic and Applied ResearchBasic and Applied Research Analytical ChemistryAnalytical Chemistry Environmental ChemistryEnvironmental Chemistry OrganicOrganic PolymerPolymer Medicinal/PharmaceuticalMedicinal/Pharmaceutical NMRNMR

► EducationEducation HSHS College LecturerCollege Lecturer ProfessorProfessor

► MarketingMarketing► Product DevelopmentProduct Development► Government ProjectsGovernment Projects

► ManagementManagement► ForensicsForensics► InsuranceInsurance► Chemical Information Chemical Information

ServicesServices► Patent/Law SchoolPatent/Law School► Health and SafetyHealth and Safety► Teaching Teaching ► ConsultingConsulting► MuseumMuseum

ArchaeologyArchaeology Art historyArt history

► BusinessBusiness

http://www.chem.duke.edu/~bonk/Careers/ACSartcl.html http://www.chem.duke.edu/~bonk/Careers/ChemCareers.html

Careers in EngineeringCareers in Engineering

►Great diversity- Great diversity- Depends on FieldDepends on Field Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering Chemical EngineeringChemical Engineering Mechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical Engineering Structural EngineeringStructural Engineering Production EngineeringProduction Engineering Aviation EngineeringAviation Engineering Plastics EngineeringPlastics Engineering

► To advance, usually To advance, usually get an M.S.get an M.S.

► Ph.D. for Ph.D. for universities…universities…

http://www.answers.com/topic/fields-of-engineering

Selecting a Career - CaveatsSelecting a Career - Caveats

►May be like entering the “unknown”May be like entering the “unknown” Must take some risk…Must take some risk…

►Don’t freak out!Don’t freak out!►May be accidental or intentionalMay be accidental or intentional► Path often not straight or predictablePath often not straight or predictable►My have serial careersMy have serial careers►May be intentional or accidentalMay be intentional or accidental► Planning helps!Planning helps!

L. Pasteur: “Chance favors the prepared mind”L. Pasteur: “Chance favors the prepared mind”►May learn more about self and values over May learn more about self and values over

time…time…

Personal Attributes Personal Attributes and Career Path – and Career Path – Personal Attributes Personal Attributes

and Directionand Direction

Careers within a Career…Careers within a Career…

► All Ph.D.s trained as researchersAll Ph.D.s trained as researchers Multiple Fields to Focus on in Graduate SchoolMultiple Fields to Focus on in Graduate School What will you do with your degree?What will you do with your degree? Science paths have different characteristicsScience paths have different characteristics Must consider of Strengths, Passions, Motivators, Must consider of Strengths, Passions, Motivators,

ValuesValues FieldField Basic vs applied & Translational – Human ImpactBasic vs applied & Translational – Human Impact ActivitiesActivities AutonomyAutonomy HoursHours ResponsibilityResponsibility PayPay LocationLocation Etc…Etc…

Career Selection and Career Selection and Satisfaction Influenced by two Satisfaction Influenced by two

aspects…aspects…YOU and the Career!YOU and the Career!

► Personal AttributesPersonal Attributes Inborn characteristicsInborn characteristics

► Innate PassionsInnate Passions►StrengthsStrengths►TemperamentTemperament

ExperienceExperience►BackgroundBackground►EducationEducation►MentoringMentoring►OpportunitiesOpportunities

Values/PrioritiesValues/Priorities Life responsibilitiesLife responsibilities

►Work EnvironmentWork Environment Job ImpactJob Impact Challenge/growthChallenge/growth RecognitionRecognition Hours/stressHours/stress Human interactionHuman interaction Buy-in on directionBuy-in on direction Overall job stabilityOverall job stability Annual incomeAnnual income Percent growth/job Percent growth/job

availabilityavailability

Graduate School Graduate School Fields/ProgramsFields/Programs

► Neurobiology/NeuroscienceNeurobiology/Neuroscience► PhysiologyPhysiology► Microbiology/Immunology/Microbiology/Immunology/

EndocrinologyEndocrinology► Cell/Molec./Dev. BiologyCell/Molec./Dev. Biology► Biochemistry/Biological Biochemistry/Biological

chemistrychemistry► Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical Engineering► ChemistryChemistry

GreenGreen OrganicOrganic ManufacturingManufacturing

► Pathology/Molecular ToxicologyPathology/Molecular Toxicology► PharmacologyPharmacology► Radiological SciencesRadiological Sciences► BiostatisticsBiostatistics► Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering► Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary

BiologyBiology► Environmental Health SciencesEnvironmental Health Sciences

► EpidemiologyEpidemiology► Oral BiologyOral Biology► Biological and Medical InformaticsBiological and Medical Informatics► BiophysicsBiophysics► Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering► GeneticsGenetics► Computational Computational

Biology/BioinformaticsBiology/Bioinformatics► PharmacogenomicsPharmacogenomics► ForestryForestry► Integrative BiologyIntegrative Biology► Molecular and Biochemical Molecular and Biochemical

NutritionNutrition► Plant BiologyPlant Biology► Vision ScienceVision Science

► And Many MORE!!And Many MORE!!

What is a “Good” Field?What is a “Good” Field?

► What inspires you?What inspires you? Matches your passion?Matches your passion? Matches your skills?Matches your skills? Matches your values?Matches your values? Matches your favored place to work?Matches your favored place to work?

Current “Hot” FieldsCurrent “Hot” Fields► Biodefense?Biodefense?

MicrobiologyMicrobiology Cell BiologyCell Biology

► Health?Health? Age-related illnesses (in neuro, diabetes, cancer, etc)Age-related illnesses (in neuro, diabetes, cancer, etc) ObesityObesity MemoryMemory Cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease Pharmacology/toxicologyPharmacology/toxicology CancerCancer Biomedical applications of Genetics:Biomedical applications of Genetics:

► Pharmacogenomics and pharmacogeneticsPharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics► Proteomics – kinase activities, etcProteomics – kinase activities, etc► Theranostic drugs” — remedies targeted at specific populations of Theranostic drugs” — remedies targeted at specific populations of

patientspatients Immunology – good for future biotech industry…Immunology – good for future biotech industry…

► Computational Biology – Any biology w physical Computational Biology – Any biology w physical sciences/mathematics sciences/mathematics

► Translational Medicine – Basic research into medical problemsTranslational Medicine – Basic research into medical problems► Signal pathways and chemistry are importantSignal pathways and chemistry are importanthttp://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/

2005_11_11/job_market_outlook_hot_careers_for_2006/

Basic vs Applied ResearchBasic vs Applied Research► Basic Basic Applied Applied Industry - Some believed; but see people doing all Industry - Some believed; but see people doing all

now.now.

► Basic – Curiosity driven. No known applicationBasic – Curiosity driven. No known application► Applied – Designed to solve practical problems of world. Improve worldApplied – Designed to solve practical problems of world. Improve world

► The distinction between basic and applied research isn't always clear. The distinction between basic and applied research isn't always clear. ► ""How long will it be before some practical application results from the How long will it be before some practical application results from the

research research ?" ?" ► Applied - If a practical use is only Applied - If a practical use is only a few yearsa few years away away► Basic - Practical use Basic - Practical use cannot be envisionedcannot be envisioned in the foreseeable future, in the foreseeable future,

then the work can be described as purely then the work can be described as purely basicbasic research. research.► NOW: Translational Research- NOW: Translational Research- Translational research transforms Translational research transforms

scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical applications.”population studies into clinical applications.”

► Now…these definitions are less clear…and have translational Now…these definitions are less clear…and have translational research…research…

http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/research-main.html

Good Directions for TrainingGood Directions for Training► Need more interdisciplinary training (often at Postdoc Level)Need more interdisciplinary training (often at Postdoc Level)

Between fields: Between fields: ► Computational abilitiesComputational abilities► Biology with..Biology with..

PhysicsPhysics engineering, computer science, math…engineering, computer science, math…

For business:For business:► understanding of the product development cycleunderstanding of the product development cycle► the ability to work in a multifunctional arenathe ability to work in a multifunctional arena► Knowledge of business languageKnowledge of business language

For drug development:For drug development:► growth of jobs involved with getting drugs into clinical trialsgrowth of jobs involved with getting drugs into clinical trials► drug safety,” drug safety,” ► Qualifications in regulatory affairs, validation, and quality control Qualifications in regulatory affairs, validation, and quality control

► Teamwork will predominateTeamwork will predominate Leadership/team management/motivational skillsLeadership/team management/motivational skills NegotiationNegotiation DelegationDelegation Hire peopleHire people

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/2005_11_11/job_market_outlook_hot_careers_for_2006/

Matching Person and Path…Matching Person and Path…

►Love Biology/appreciation for natureLove Biology/appreciation for nature►Enjoys PoliticsEnjoys Politics►Hugely socialHugely social

►Get Ph.D.Get Ph.D. Authority, Position Authority, Position

►Work in Science Policy!Work in Science Policy!

Matching Person and Path…Matching Person and Path…

►Love BiologyLove Biology►Love computersLove computers►Don’t like bench work terribly muchDon’t like bench work terribly much►Analytical, Achiever, deliberativeAnalytical, Achiever, deliberative

►Get Ph.D.Get Ph.D. Authority, Position Authority, Position

►Work in Computational Biology!Work in Computational Biology!

We will look at yourWe will look at yourValues,Values, and and

Personal StrengthsPersonal Strengthsat the at the

End of the Class!End of the Class!

Assessing Personal Assessing Personal Values and StrengthsValues and Strengths

Matching Passions, Matching Passions, Values and Strengths Values and Strengths

with a Career can keep with a Career can keep you Motivated, day after you Motivated, day after

day….day….

What is Your Passion?What is Your Passion?

►What have you loved since Childhood?What have you loved since Childhood?►What “stirs” or motivates you?What “stirs” or motivates you?►Keep this in mind for Personal Keep this in mind for Personal

Statement, in subsequent class…Statement, in subsequent class…►May “roughly” know, but may home in May “roughly” know, but may home in

with experience…with experience…

Brainstorm PassionsBrainstorm Passions

► In Class Discussions: What drives your In Class Discussions: What drives your desire for research?desire for research?