It was a dark and stormy night. Annette was bored with Angry Birds and was dreaming of a way she could expand her horizons, advance her skills and learn more about a particular subject. She was especially interested in working with a certain genius in her field and wondered to herself if there was a fellowship or grant available for which she could apply to aid her in attaining her goal. She did some online research, but lo, there was no grant to be found. Read more [...]
Recently, a newly minted science doctorate asked me for some help finding a job. He had applied for hundreds of advertised openings, both postdoc and non-academic positions, but to no avail. So I asked him about his networking strategy. “What networking strategy?” he replied, clueless to what I was referring. I spent the next hour emphasising the importance of networking in finding hidden job opportunities and communicating your value to decision-makers. I outlined for him a customised networking plan which would enable him to meet and interact with professionals who have the power to hire him for the jobs he so desperately wanted. When our meeting concluded, I asked for feedback on the career consulting session – “Did you find our discussion helpful?” I inquired, thinking I was up for a major pat on the back. “No,” he said instantly. “You didn’t tell me where I can apply for a job or places where there are more advertisements for jobs.” Read more [...]
Do you know your value? Do you know what special talents you have, what kinds of problems you solve, what expertise you bring to an organisation? Most people, even scientists, just don’t know this about themselves. We may think we know, but ask someone to encapsulate their true value within a 30 second self-commercial, and their mind melts to mush. Read more [...]
The atmosphere has grown tense in the small lecture theatre, where the visibly frosty eyes of 200 or so wealthy investors are fixed upon the charts displayed on the projector in front of them. They are here to discuss the progress of their investments in a small UK venture capital firm, which specialises in investing in early-stage science and technology companies. For many in the room, progress has not been good - and they aren’t happy about it. Read more [...]
A new report has shown that young academics in Australia feel unappreciated, underpaid and lacking in job security. Just under half of the under 30's surveyed in this recent research say they plan to leave the country or the profession as a result. Read more [...]
Charles Fipke studied Geology at the University of British Columbia because “with Geology you can at least get a job”. He is now a multimillionaire diamond magnate. How did he do it? Where does one start in the hunt for diamonds? Read more [...]
In 2012, Dublin will host the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF 2012), Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary scientific conference, from 11-15 July 2012. The Careers Programme will be a major aspect of ESOF 2012 and will showcase the spectrum of career opportunities available for researchers at all stages of their career. Read more [...]
Pivot Points is a monthly column by EuroScientist writer David Bradley. Being exceptional at something is often attributed to one's genetics. Talent is passed down from parents, grandparents, it seems, whether that's musical or artistic skill, being Read more [...]
She received two Nobel Prizes, has served as an inspirational figure to countless women (and men) in science, and has a Continent-wide fellowship program named after her to promote the brightest scientific minds and innovations. The Marie Curie Fellowships, administered by the EU, are so prestigious that recipients regularly gush about its virtue as a career game-changer. Only 8% of applicants receive fellowships each year, but this low rate of acceptance does not deter scholars; on the contrary, says Jordi Curell Gotor, who oversees the Marie Curie Fellowships as Director Lifelong learning, higher education and international affairs, DG Education and Culture, European Commission. The number of applications continues to rise annually. So far, 50,000 researchers from 120 nations have received these prestigious grants since the program’s inception in 1996. Read more [...]
So you've got a theoretical PhD... but what next? There are some career possibilities which combine the advantages of university and industry. Read more [...]
European science conversations by the community, for the community
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