I have no idea where I will be in two years
They always ask in job interviews, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I hear the same reply again and again… “I don’t even know where I see myself in 2 years.”
What can you do to get more clarity?
Using the lockdown as a strategic advantage for your career in science
Despite everyone complaining about the lockdown, I believe it can be used as a golden opportunity for your scientific career… Although I didn’t dare mention this at the beginning.
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Does CORONA kill my career in science?
Lockdown makes it difficult to do experiments and to work on your scientific career. Losing a few months of your research may not seem so dramatic… or is it? You sit at home and have to motivate yourself to stay productive. Don’t waste these weeks! Here are several ideas about how to protect your career under lockdown conditions!
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Will I find a job as a scientist?
Young researchers are often disoriented what they should do with their expertise and whether they will find a job after their doctorate or postdoc. The good news is that the unemployment rate of PhD holders is surprisingly low. The bad news is that young scientists often do not work in the field they have expected.
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Do I really have to go to a famous university for a successful career in science?
Everybody will tell you that it is essential to go to a famous university for a successful career in science. Important arguments are the network you build (for example, via alumni associations), the excellent infrastructure and the great scientists you might connect with. But is it real or is it a myth?
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Should I have senior authorships as a postdoc?
Postdocs often struggle with their publication list. They become the famous “second author”. However, if you strive for a successful academic career, you may have to negotiate better with your supervisor to get first and last authorships to build your career.
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Which scientific meetings should I attend?
Attending a scientific meeting can be very inspiring. It may broaden your network and help you to make yourself and your research visible to a broad audience. But it is also often time-consuming and expensive. How do you choose the right meetings to attend?
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For how long should I be a postdoc?
Young researchers often ask: what is the ideal length of a postdoc? There are many different answers which depend on the field, the country, the university, the supervisor and funding institutions. To get good advice on the best length you should strategically investigate your field. Get some ideas here.
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Am I doing enough for my scientific career?
Many young scientists fear that they are not investing enough in their scientific career, however, it is often not clear what exactly they should do and how important different aspects are such as publications, grants, teaching, mobility, technical skills and just being a good scientist. Find some directions here.
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Should I aim for co-authorships on high impact papers?
It is often tempting for young scientists to aim for co-authorships on papers published in journals with a high impact factor. But is it a clever career move?
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The emotional phases of your research project and “The Dip”
Every research project has four typical emotional phases: You start with naïve enthusiasm, become competent and disillusioned, you want to give up (“The Dip”), you recover and finally you round up and exit. How to handle “The Dip”?
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Do I really have to work abroad as a scientist?
Young scientists often get the advice that they *must* work abroad for several years to pursue a career in science. But is this really true? There are multiple arguments for and against this often-heard advice.
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