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Reflections Newsletter

Issue 33, April 2024

This newsletter is typically distributed the last Thursday of the month and contains a variety of resources, links, and reflections on graduate-level career & professional development, higher education, and an occasional detour into neuroscience topics, the area I formally trained in as a graduate student and postdoc.

Missed the inaugural newsletter from January 2021?

Read it here

READING THIS ONLINE OR VIA FORWARDED MESSAGE? 

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Reflections Blog: April 2024 

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On Systems & Society

We all operate within and are part of various systems that involved other people. Despite clear issues in the stability and effectiveness of many of these systems, their reform is often a slow and complex process. Taking the long view and realizing that supporting more individuals within societal systems will lead to their increased vitality and resilience is critical for them to survive current challenges.   

Worthy Reads

Meta-Research Collection from eLife

A series of studies focused on the science of science covering a range of topics including: 

  • Blinding reduces institutional prestige bias during initial review of applications for a young investigator award
  • Gendered hiring and attrition on the path to parity for academic faculty
  • The changing career paths of PhDs and postdocs trained at EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)
  • Analysis of NIH K99/R00 awards and the career progression of awardees
  • And more

Tips for Writing More Fundable Grants

Associate Professor Betty Lai, author of The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars gives 7 actions researchers can take to write more fundable grants. 

Programs Worth Promoting

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National Institutes of Health Virtual Career Symposium

​May 14-17

This 3-day event consists of panels and interactive workshops. Learn from professionals in a number of industries, connect with peers, and hear valuable career advice. Be sure to use the features of our virtual platform to engage with speakers and fellow attendees through meetups and community chats. We are delighted to welcome you and eager to support you in pursuing a rewarding STEM career!

Select Symposium topics include: Tools for the Job Search, Hiring Trends & Making a Career Plan, Applying and Interviewing, Research Training Opportunities at NIH, Negotiation (After the Job Offer), and panels on a range of career fields & topics

Explore the Agenda

Register for Virtual Symposium
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National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Programming & Resources

The NPA's SmartSkills program returns in 2024 featuring webinars on a variety of topics related to postdocs' career and professional development and well-being.

And check out the NPA's Resource Library​ for more guides and resources including a guide to the postdoc timeline, mentoring, and more.

Revisiting Past Blog Posts 



As generative artificial intelligence technologies improve what is the role of humans and how can one prepare for the future of work?

Read More


Individual Development Plans (IDPs) are essential tools to help you plan out your research deliverables and career goals. 

Read More


What can you do with a Ph.D.? Data from the National Science Foundation's Survey of Earned Doctorates and Doctorate Recipients provides some insights. 

Read More

More to Explore - Resources for Trainees & Those Supporting Them

Explore Job Search & Funding Resources On My Website

For Further Reading & Exploration

More About Me
Carpe Careers Column
National Science Foundation Data
Career & Professional Development Research

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