Balancing Criticism and Confidence

By Brandon Berry, Ph.D. Candidate in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology

In graduate school, a main goal should be to understand the balance and interdependence between criticism and confidence. Pursuing a graduate degree develops the ability to think critically about a problem that has never been solved. This level of problem solving requires rigorous criticism, but also confidence. Confidence allows us to use our best skills to creatively answer questions and make progress where no other has. Dealing poorly with either criticism or confidence, however, will cause counterproductive self-doubt. Understanding that criticism and confidence should exist in equal balance will decrease self-doubt. These two concepts may seem opposed, but criticism and confidence can exist together to support each other and to drive progress.

Finding Value in the URBEST Career Story Seminars

By Marcela Mireles Ramirez, Postdoctoral Researcher in Biomedical Engineering

After joining UR as a postdoc, I started attending the Career Story Seminars sponsored by URBEST and found them interesting and very helpful. The professionals sharing their stories have varied backgrounds and have gone on to very diverse endeavors. The seminars are always an open conversation so they are never a waste of time. The stories are not only interesting, they are also full of great advice on how to build a career. Plus, you get break from work, a cup of coffee, and a snack. A pretty good deal thanks to Tracey Baas.

Visual and UX Design Principles Can Improve the Effectiveness of Poster Sessions

By Derek Crowe, PhD Candidate in Biomedical Genetics 

Mike Morrison’s better poster style encourages scientists to distill their message, a critical step in creating effective posters. Dramatic physical layout constraints are the primary mechanism employed to help users consolidate their story, though this strategy costs a significant portion of the available poster space. Principles of visual design can guide users to achieve the same effective communication as intended by Morrison without sacrificing valuable poster real estate, as demonstrated here in a series of new poster layouts. These designs also incorporate user experience (UX) considerations of realistic time and social expectations during audience interactions at poster presentations. Multiple variations are offered in attempt to accommodate a wide variety of preferences and use cases. (Also, science jargon aside they’re just some free powerpoint templates on a website; you monsters can do whatever you want with them.) 

Breaking into BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)

By Brianna Shares, PhD Candidate in Cell Biology of Diseases

Ever since I decided I wanted to get a PhD, I have known I wanted to end up in industry, as academia was not and still is not for me. But as graduate students, most of our interactions and conferences we attend are primarily academic and not industry related. As graduate students, we are mainly immersed within the academic culture and have a small number of chances to really delve into industry. Thankfully, there is hope and an amazing opportunity for students out there: Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

Consider Developing a Career Strategy Instead of Planning for Your Dream Job

By Annabelle Kleist, PhD, Director of Teen Health and Success Partnership at the Center for Community Health & Prevention at the University of Rochester and Previous Science and Technology Policy Advisor at the California State Capitol

Nonlinear. Curiosity-driven. Opportunity-seeking in a tough economy. Hmmm… I’m still not sure how to best describe my unexpected and highly branching career path. I was in graduate school when the global recession hit, and our lab lost a lot of grant funding when the state abruptly stopped supporting several environmental grant programs due to the budget deficit. Although I was able to cobble some funding together to complete my research projects, continued low funding in my area of research led me to explore other career paths. My experience volunteering with the California Invasive Plant Council while in grad school inspired me to want to become a nonprofit leader, so I searched for opportunities that would help me gain skills and experience for this dream job.