Return to the Transferable Skills for PhD Careers Index
Communication as a Deputy Branch Chief (Scientific Review Officer) in Public Sector
Both oral and written communication are critical to success in peer review administration. Scientific Review Officers and managers are expected to communicate peer review policy and procedures clearly to subject matter experts participating in review panels and to their colleagues and stakeholders. They are also expected to write accurate, concise summaries of discussions that take place at peer review meetings, conveying the factors driving the scoring of grant applications and contract proposals.
What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
- Oral communication skills
- Speaking clearly and effectively
- Written communication skills
Communication as a Health Director and Health Officer in Public Sector
During the COVID-19 pandemic, community partners (businesses, churches, schools, healthcare providers, etc.) complained loudly about feeling like the health department was talking "to" them rather than talking "with" them. During the hiring process, which came one year into the pandemic, the elected officials stated that they supported my selection for this role because of my demonstrated history of transparent, bilateral communication. People want to feel heard and understood. Even if we don't agree, it feels better to walk away from a situation believing that the other person put in the time and effort and understand your perspective.
What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
- Oral communication skills
- Presenting to nonscientists
- Written communication skills
Communication as a Commercial Innovation Manager in Public Sector
Externally, a large part of our job is awareness-raising, educating the general public and potential partners and customers, and providing subject matter expertise, through events, conferences, webinars, workshops, and other engagements. Our audience can range from high school students, researchers, non-science audience, to policy makers, company executives, entrepreneurs and investors. "Thinking outside of gravity" or doubting an assumption that hardly anybody doubt (that is gravity) is not intuitive at all. It often requires in depth scientific understanding of a particular subject matter to tailor the conversation to "strike a cord" and make it relevant to the target audience. In addition, especially when speaking to business-focused people, it requires business acumen to show the relevance of space-based experiment or partnering opportunity to their business priorities. "Space" easily get people's attention but communicating in a way that convince of the relevance of space-based research to their life and/or interest is hard. Internally, in order to manage the ISS National Laboratory, we have marketing and communication specialist, legal and contract team, operation team, finance team, stakeholder manager, science team, etc. It requires good communication hygiene, tactics, and practices between these teams to make this machinery going.
What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
- Basic writing and editing
- Oral communication skills
- Presenting to nonscientists
- Speaking clearly and effectively
- Writing scientific publications
- Written communication skills
Upcoming Events
Tue
23
OCPD Office Hours (for Graduate Students and Postdocs)
Date: April 23, 2024
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
Tue
30
Assess Yourself: How inclusive are you at work/in the lab?
Date: April 30, 2024
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
Thu
02
Assess Yourself: How ready are you to manage your mentee/employee’s productivity?
Date: May 2, 2024
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
