Happy International Women's Day!

To all the daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts - Happy Women's Day!
Cheers to being women!

Have fun being a girl - enjoy the dresses, colours, hopscotch, braiding hair, playing make-believe, creativity.
Have fun being a mom - experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, childrearing and fostering goodness.

Being a woman is an adventure - enjoy!

The Jobs Out There

I am lecturing this week about the type of jobs out there, particularly for those in the biosciences with higher degrees. They are 1) listed, 2) hidden and 3) created. Listed jobs are obtained with stellar cover letters, resumes or CVs, and excellent interviews. Hidden are obtained usually through a network AND the excellent cover letters, resumes and interviews. Created jobs are obtained by those who are leaders and creative thinkers. If you have the leadership skills and the superb science - try for the latter. Your drive, passion, mentors and knowing the key players will take you there. Whether it is a CEO of a company or a new position at an institution, find the skills you need to get there and...get there.

Career Options for Bioscience Graduates...Updated

Here is an updated list, with additions by colleagues and Dr. Reinhart Reithmeier, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Toronto.

1. Business
1. Management Consulting
2. Innovations Officer
3. Market Analyst
4. Recruiter
5. Venture Capitalist
6. Founder and CEO of own company
2. Communications
1. Writing/Editing for Scientific Journals
2. Writing/Editing for General Science Newspapers/Newsletters/Hospitals
3. Writing for Grant Writing Services (ie. UHN)
4.  Science Consultant for Entertainment Industry
5. Patent Officer/Tech Transfer Officer/Patent Agent
6. Science Liaison
7. Science Translation
3. Government
1. Research and Development
2. Grant and Research Administration
3. Office of Innovations
4. Policy
5. Intelligence Analyst
6. Forensics
7. Biodefence Research
8. Regulatory Affairs
9. Education
4. Biotech Industry
1. Pharma Field Scientist
2. Biotech Application Scientist
3. Pharma or Biotech Sales
4. Forensics
5. Cosmetic Industry Scientist
6. Food Supplement Industry
7. Medicinal Plant R & D
8. Medical Affairs (MSL, Market Access, Med Info, Reimbursement, Regulatory Affairs)
5. Education
1. Research Professor
2. Teaching Stream Professor 
3. Lecturer
4. Lab Course Coordinator
5. High School Teacher / Head of Science Department
6. Tutorial Services
7. Science Outreach Programs
8. Graduate Professional Development Programs
9. Think Tanks
6. Non-profit
1. Independent Science Research Foundations
2. Social Programs
3. Public/Global Health Organizations
4. Environmental Policy and Research
5. Health/Hospital Research Scientist (Clinical Trial Management)
6. Food Science / Nutrition Programs in Hospitals

7. Professional
1. Doctor
2. Pharmacist
3. Dentist
4. Veterinarian
5. Lawyer
6. Health Professional
7. MBA/Financial

8. University/Hospital Research Institutes
1. Grant Administration
2. Graduate Administration
3. Undergraduate Administration
4. Career Centre
5. Research Facilities
6. Animal Care
7. Health and Safety
8. Training
9. Planning

Presented at the Canadian Science Policy Conference

It was a fantastic discussion of "Is a PhD Really a Waste of Time?" at CSPC Incubating Innovation and Ingenuity today with reference to the 2010 Economist article.
http://www.cspc2013.ca/p4-phd-really-waste-time

In brief, the answer is that just the PhD alone is not sufficient.

A student asked "Does that mean I have to take more classes?"
You are finished with classes! A PhD gives you the training to learn independently. The "more than just the PhD" is about self-assessment and building a network. Find a career you would like to explore and "work backward," as Ivan Waissbluth, one of the panelists commented. Ask them how they got there. Talk to professionals outside your lab, the university. Having said that, if you are interested in patent law or business management, a law degree or an MBA (mini MBA) may expose you to more skills and contacts you never knew about. But even with patent law, find a patent attorney and find out what their job is like before you write the LSAT. Perhaps start as a technical consultant and see if patent law is for you. Innovations or business classes at the school of continuing studies may be beneficial, but not necessary, depending on your own career goals.

Soft skills, self-assessment, a network, and a passion to lead the world with innovative ideas will take you to your dream career. Read my older posts which address these in detail. Good luck!

The Power to Change

After viewing Blackfish and reading up on orca behavior in the wild, I came across Change.org - a forum where one can start a petition and though the power on the internet, thousands can sign and changes are made. Victories are listed, and the effects are inspirational. I know my writings are usually not about social causes; but as a scientist, one should be involved with correcting the wrongs of the world. Find those that move you, and contribute to change. Propose a change that could satisfy all parties involved. Who knows? Perhaps one of your causes will become your career.

Published in Science Careers!

Enjoy!
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2013_10_01/caredit.a1300216

Minimalist Living with Kids

We spent the summer at the beaches with our three kids, in an unfurnished apartment with 2 bedrooms and roughly about half the living space as our home. We brought our beds, one couch, 2 chairs, clothes, one large box of toys for the 8 month-old. Our older kids each brought a small suitcase and a backpack for books and stationery. My husband and I each brought one bag of clothes as well. Out kitchen was minimal for 4 and a baby. No glasses, just water bottles and some plastic cups. One large pot, one small pot, one strainer, a pizza pan, a baking pan, dinnerware for four. We borrowed a dining table and 4 chairs, some cutlery and plastic plates. We were on minimal operations.

And you know what?
We were just fine.

Our lifestyle changed.
The kids and I walked to the neighborhood grocery store almost everyday, we brought home fresh bread almost everyday. We borrowed many books from the local library every 3 days. There was no tv so the only electronic entertainment was 12 minute episodes of Octanauts once in a while. Some of our kitchen cupboards were empty! We walked to the beach almost everyday. We walked to the park, restaurants, menchies, local music festivals.

We have returned home to notice all the "extra stuff" in it..
We purge and donate every 3 months or so, but this summer's experience really accentuated our collection we accrued over the 10+ years of marriage and 3 kids.

I am in the middle of the big "purge," and I notice as more toys and things are removed which haven't been played in a while, the key pieces we are keeping are played with and valued more.

I am in no way one of those moms who own only 2 pairs of jeans. I am still nursing and I know that my body will probably shift again so I am anticipating wardrobe changes in the next year. I know that families are always in flux, so I know I will be making purchases and donating again in the future. I do know, however, I will keep my purchases in check and not be so tempted with the 75% off signs as I make this largest purge this year. I hope to refrain from making bulk but "cheaper" purchases as the hidden cost of seeing towers of paper towels and toilet paper in my basement are too much for me.

My mantle looks so clean now - nothing except a picture of the kids and a wedding gift of a vase of glass roses. I can actually appreciate them now as they are not hidden behind plastic plants, candles and other dust-collecting knickknacks which I have forgotten about already.