Choosing a Thesis Lab
In our third conversation, we are talking about choosing a thesis lab during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will discuss strategies for assessing a lab, including ways in which COVID may be able to help you with that assessment, and factors to keep in mind while you are making your decision.
Be sure to check out all of the resources we discuss in the video, below!
Topics covered in this video:
- 2:20 - How do I assess a lab without being there in person, and how will the lab assess me?
- 10:58 - How can COVID help me assess a lab?
- 16:09 - What factors should I keep in mind when choosing a thesis lab?
- 21:01 - What should I do when I'm making this decision?
Resources featured in Choosing a Thesis Lab conversation:
Main Page: Visit the COVID and careers resource page for researchers on the OCPD website
Resources
- Review the slides, handout, and articles from the Choosing your Thesis Lab program
- Review the slides and recording of Finding Your Five Mentors workshop
- Review the slides and handout from Using the Interview to Tell if a Workplace is a Bad Fit or Toxic program
Support
- Chat with Laurence Clement and Rachel Care in an appointment
- Chat with D'Anne Duncan in an appointment
Joining in the conversation:
- Naledi Saul, MPM, Director, OCPD
- Rachel Care, PhD, Program Manager, PhD Career and Professional Development, OCPD
- Laurence Clement, PhD, Program Director, Academic Careers, OCPD
- D'Anne Duncan, PhD, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Learner Success
Connect:
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Navigating Productivity Expectations: Your Own and Your PI's
In our second conversation, we are talking about navigating productivity expectations during COVID - including defining your own expectations realistically and managing your PIs', and what we have been thinking of when people talk about "keeping your career on track."
Be sure to check out all of the resources we discuss in the video, below!
Topics covered in this video:
- 0:00 - How the need to be productive is impacting students and postdocs
- 9:59 - How will changes in productivity impact job applications
- 15:00 - Recognizing your changing needs
- 22:22 - What is changing in trainee-mentor relationships
- 28:40 - Keeping your career on track
- 47:42 - Managing productivity expectations
Resources featured in Navigating Productivity Expectations conversation:
Main Page: Visit the COVID and careers resource page for researchers on the OCPD website
Resources
- Chat with an OCPD career counselor in an appointment
- Use the ACRA (Academic Career Readiness Assessment) tool to plan how to prepare for academic careers
- Learn about the MIND (Motivating Informed Decisions) program
- Learn about the Graduate Student Internships for Career Exploration program
Support
- Students: speak with Associate Dean, Liz Silva, PhD in the Graduate Division
- Postdocs: speak with Assistant Dean, Gabi Monsalve, PhD in the Office for Postdoctoral Scholars
- Students and postdocs: speak with Peggy Ryan in Learning Resource Services for time management strategies
- International students and scholars: speak with your advisor at the International Students and Scholars Office
Further Reading
- Michael Matrone's recommended time management book: Getting Things Done by David Allen
- Productivity and Happiness Under Sustained Disaster Conditions by Aisha S. Ahmad in Chronicle Vitae
- Graduate Advising in the Time of Covid-19 by Leonard Cassuto in The Chronicle of Higher Education
Joining in the conversation:
- Naledi Saul, MPM, Director, OCPD
- Laurence Clement, PhD, Program Director, Academic Careers, OCPD
- Bill Lindstaedt, MS, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Career Advancement, International and Postdoctoral Services
- Michael Matrone, PhD, Associate Director/Program Director, Careers Beyond Academe, OCPD
- Gabriela Monsalve, PhD, Assistant Dean for Postdoctoral Scholars
- Elizabeth Silva, PhD, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs
Connect:
Office for Postdoctoral Scholars:
- Twitter @PhdGabriela and @UCSF_Postdocs
Want to get the latest career information and resources in your inbox? Sign up for OCPD listervs
Hiring Freezes, Rescinded Offers, and Uncertainty: What to do now?
In our kickoff conversation, we discuss the latest on what we've been hearing about the academic job market, industry positions, postdoc opportunities and internships during COVID-19, and share the advice we've been giving UCSF students and postdocs in counseling appointments.
Be sure to check out all of the resources we discuss in the video, below!
Joining in the conversation:
- Naledi Saul, MPM. Director, OCPD
- Michael Matrone, PhD, Associate Director/Program Director, Careers Beyond Academe, OCPD
- Laurence Clement, PhD, Program Director, Academic Careers, OCPD
- Linda Louie, PhD, Program Director, Career Exploration, Experiential Learning and Employer Engagement, OCPD
Resources featured in Hiring Freezes, etc. conversation:
Main Page: Visit the COVID and careers resource page for researchers on the OCPD website
Resources
- Review the crowd-sourced list of university hiring freezes from The Professor Is In
- Read up on advice about negotiating for a faculty position during COVID-19
- Chat with an OCPD career counselor in an appointment
- Check out resources to help you prepare for interviews in general, and video interviewing in particular
- Want to get the latest career information and resources in your inbox? Sign up for OCPD listervs
- Explore career options with the Every Month Series
- Learn about the Graduate Student Internships for Career Exploration program
- Meet UCSF alums on UCSF Connect, networking platform for the UCSF Community
- Brush up on your networking skills for researchers
Support
- Students: speak to a counselor in Student Health and Counseling, or with Associate Dean, Elizabeth Silva, PhD in the Graduate Division
- Postdocs: speak to a counselor in FSAP Faculty Staff Assitance Program, or with Assistant Dean, Gabriela Monsalve, PhD in the Office for Postdoctoral Scholars
