Postdoc Activities
Preparing to Lead the Conversation
Activities for Mentees
There are 10 activities for postdocs, to help them initiate and lead conversations important for their success. Each activity contains:
- An evidence-based video that introduces the topic of interest
- A video where fellow postdocs share tips and advice
- A handout to help prepare for the conversation
- Additional readings, videos and podcasts to further explore the topic
- Setting Expectations
open activity window
Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Aligning Expectations Table from the Postdoc Academy.
- Masters KS, Kreeger PK (2017) Ten simple rules for developing a mentor–mentee expectations document. PLoS Comput Biol 13(9): e1005709.
Discussion Framework
- How do I define success in this postdoc position?
- What do I think are efficient ways to communicate expectations?
- For newcomers: on a scale of 1 to 10, how acclimatized am I to my new community of practice? What could my advisor do to ease this process?
- Feel free to use the questions listed in this Finding Alignment on Expectations checklist to initiate a conversation with your advisor on mutual expectations and what will make this postdoc a success for you and for them.
Additional Resources
Read
- Snapp, E., 9 Tips for a successful Postdoc experience, Addgene Blog, 2018.
- Bottomley, L., What can you expect from your mentoring relationship?, Michigan State University Extension, 2015.
- Landry, A., and Lewiss, R.E., What Efficient Mentorship Looks Like, Harvard Business Review, 2020.
- Wengert, E., Mentor as you’d want to be mentored, Science, 2021.
- Rock, D., SCARF: a brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others, Neuroleadership Journal, 2008.
Watch
- Preparing for your first mentoring meeting, The Academy of Medical Sciences.
- Refresh your Mentoring Skills – Webinar, The Academy of Medical Sciences.
Listen
Act
- Setting Boundaries in Mentoring Relationships, NIH-HHS Mentoring Program.
- Worksheet to set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals, Tracy Costello, Coach for postdocs.
- Conceptualizing and Writing a Statement of Mentoring Philosophy, The University of Pittsburgh, Department of Communications.
- Creating a Mentoring Philosophy Statement, How-To worksheet, OHSU Mentoring Academy.
- Building an Actionable Career Plan
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Vincent et al, Individualized Development Plans aren’t just more paperwork, Molecular Cell 58, 2015.
- T. W. H. Ng et al, Predictors of objective and subjective career success: A meta-analysis, Pers. Psychol. 58, 367–408; 2005.
- Langin, K., In a first, U.S. private sector employs nearly as many PhDs as schools do, Science, 2019.
- Moore, M., The Changing Landscape of tenure-Track Positions, HigherEd Jobs, 2019.
- myIDP tool, https://myidp.sciencecareers.org/, Science Careers (career exploration and planning tool for STEM PhD students and postdocs).
- ImaginePhD tool, https://www.imaginephd.com/, (career exploration and planning tool for Humanities & Social Sciences PhD students and postdocs).
Discussion Framework
- What are two potential career paths I wish to pursue after this postdoc? How could this postdoc experience be tailored to ease my transition into either of these paths?
- Do I have a written career plan? If yes, have I shared it with your mentor? If not, am I considering sharing it with my mentor?
- Where do I feel equipped to set goals and move forward?
- Where do I need more support from this mentor I am about to chat with? From someone else?
Additional Resources
Read
- Haak, L., A career-development plan for postdocs, Science, 2022.
- Gould, J., Career development: a plan for action, Nature, 2017.
- Sinche, M., et al, An evidence-based evaluation of transferable skills and job satisfaction for science PhDs, PLoS One, 2017.
- The Salmon Leap for PhDs: Swimming upstream: A transition from Academia to Industry, Matteo Tardelli (book).
Watch
- The Fantasy, the Ideal, and the Reality of Career Exploration, UCSF MIND.
- PhD Career Change | My Roadmap for success, Andy Stapleton.
Listen
- How to check your readiness to leap out of academia, from the Postdoc Transformation Podcast.
- Career and Time Management Advice, Faculty Factory Podcast.
Act
- Career plan templates and instructions to build a career plan, The Postdoc Academy.
- Worksheet to set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals, Tracy Costello, Coach for postdocs.
- Developing Resilience
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Lashuel, The busy lives of academics have hidden costs – and universities must take better care of their faculty members, Nature, 2020.
- Grinstein & Treister, The unhappy postdoc: a survey based study, F1000 Research, 2018.
- Alves, Oliveira, da Silva Paro, Quality of life and burnout among faculty members: How much does the field of knowledge matter?, PLoS One, 2019.
- Langin, As professors struggle to recruit postdocs, calls for structural change in academia intensify, Science, 2019.
- Wanelik et al., Breaking barriers? Ethnicity and socioeconomic background impact on early career progression in the fields of ecology and evolution, 2020, Ecology & Evolution.
- LaMonaca Wisdom, M. Faculty Job Dissatisfaction Isn’t About ‘Burnout’, 2023, The Chronicle of Higher Education.
- London & Noe, London’s Career Motivation Theory: An Update on Measurement and Research, Journal of Career assessment, 1997.
- Boice, R. “Quick Starters: New Faculty Who Succeed.” New Directions for Teaching and Learning, no. 48. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1991, 111-121.
- JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) Cartoon: https://www.leunig.com.au/works/recent-cartoons/769-jomo.
- Cravens, Nelson, Siders, Ulibarri, Why four scientists spent a year saying no, Nature, 2022.
- Woolston, Full time is full enough, Nature, 2017.
- Rest as Resistance, The Nap Ministry, Tricia Hersey.
Discussion Framework
- How am I doing? Physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, environmentally, intellectually, financially…?
- How do I define productivity? Does this definition include elements pertaining to work-life integration? Does my behavior mirror this definition?
- Are there elements of Belonging, Equity & Inclusion (or lack thereof) in my team, department, institution, etc. that take a toll on my productivity? Is my advisor aware of it?
- To what extent can I become more productive? Why? Where can I implement change (e.g., fend off distractions) vs where can my advisor be of support (e.g., adjust the workload)?
Additional Resources
Read
- Cao & Ngetich, The need to normalize failure, Nature Reviews Chemistry, 2023.
- Work-Life Balance for Postdocs, National Postdoc Association.
- Heidt, Heeding the happiness call: why academia needs to take faculty mental health more seriously, Nature, 2023.
Watch
- Public Webinars on Mental Health in Academia (recordings available on that same webpage), Lashuel Lab, EPFL.
Listen
- Unraveling Faculty Burnout, Rebecca Pope-Ruark, from Teaching in Higher Ed.
- Professor-ing when life happens, and The Other R&R (Recreation & Rest) from the PROFESSOR-ING Podcast.
- Ten Things Early-Career Professional Can Do to Promote Better Work-Life Balance, Faculty Factory Podcast.
Act
- Take the HealthyWork Survey, as an individual or employer, see what you learn from it, and explore resources to reduce workplace stressors on the HealthyWork website.
- Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education, if not already offered at your institution.
- Working Effectively in an Intercultural Environment
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Source of the identity wheel: https://ukrio.org/resources/research-integrity-resources/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/
- Powell, K., Academia’s ableist culture laid bare, Nature, 2021.
- Boustani, K. and Taylor, K.A., Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from there?, The Biochemist, 2020.
- Hardeman, K., I’m a Black scientist, tired of facing racism and exclusion from academia, Science Careers, 2023.
- Eaton, A.A., et al, How Gender and Race Stereotypes Impact the Advancement of Scholars in STEM: Professors’ Biased Evaluations of Physics and Biology Post-Doctoral Candidates, Sex Roles, 2020.
- Stansbury, A., Economics Needs More Socioeconomic Diversity, Harvard Business review, 2022.
- Cornwall, A.,Mentoring Underrepresented Minority Students (when you are white), Inside Higher Ed, 2020.
- SEARLE CENTER for advancing learning and teaching, Defining DEIJ.
Discussion Framework
- What did I learn from the identity grid exercise? Anything I would like to share with my mentor?
- Do I feel like I am treated fairly/equitably in my current role? If not, what could be done to improve that (access/resources, clarity on the work culture and expectations)? Where specifically could my mentor help?
- Do I feel welcome in my research team/department? To what extent does this impact my sense of competency and productivity? Is there any feedback, positive or negative about the team culture that I want to share with my mentor?
- If I am doing well from an Equity & Inclusion perspective, are there colleagues within my team that would need my support or my mentor’s support?
Additional Resources
Read
- Implicit Bias: What it means and How It Affects Behavior, ThoughtCo., 2019.
- Social Identities and Systems of Oppression, National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Wanelik, K.M., et al, Breaking barriers? Ethnicity and socioeconomic background impact on early career progression in the fields of ecology and evolution, Ecology & Evolution, 2020.
- Kumagai, Arno K. MD; Lypson, Monica L. MD. Beyond Cultural Competence: Critical Consciousness, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education. Academic Medicine 84(6):p 782-787, June 2009.
- On Diversity: Access Ain’t Inclusion, Anthony Jack, TED Talk.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, Luvvie Ajayi, TED Talk.
- Mentoring URM Faculty for Academic Excellence, STFM, YouTube video.
- How Does Mentoring Impact Diversity in the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce?, NIH Scientific Workforce Diversity Seminar (recording).
Listen
- Podcast episodes on mentoring, Faculty Factory Podcast.
Act
- CARES Mentoring Online Training Program – for a mentee-centered mentoring approach that acknowledges and addresses the psychological needs of mentees – by the University of Minnesota, the Center for Self-Determination Theory, and the National Research Mentoring Network.
- Register for the CARES training program as a guest following these instructions.
- Note: the system needs a few minutes to acknowledge your profile, before you can access UMinnesota’s Canvas and take the course.
- Unconscious Bias Online Course, National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN). This course will help you address your personal unconscious bias, teach you about microaggressions, provide a solutions toolkit, develop your self-awareness, and discuss bias and disparities in medicine and healthcare.
- Exploring Leadership
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Whitehead, J., Directing, Coaching, Supporting & Delegating Are What?, Situational Leadership.
- Schmid, S., Optimizing Post-Doc Training: Getting the Post Doc Training You Need, iBiology.
Discussion Framework
- How do I characterize my leadership style? Have I used specific evidence or an assessment like High5 or StrengthFinders to help identify these characteristics?
- How do I leverage my leadership drivers/strengths in different situations? What situations or projects are easy for me to handle? Which are challenging?
- In what ways would I like to further increase my leadership opportunities? Why is it important for me and my professional development? How can my mentor(s) support me?
Additional Resources
Read
- Kotter, J.P., What Leaders Really Do, Harvard Business Review.
- Denny’s Relationship Table, Northwestern University.
- How do I choose a mentor? A postdoc’s guide, The Nerd Coach.
Watch
- Exploring Leadership Frameworks, Adam Goodman, Postdoc Academy.
Listen
- EmpowerED to Lead, Podcast from Wayne State University.
- What’s missing in Academic Leadership, Your Unapologetic Career Podcast.
Act
- Leadership & Management Foundations for Academic Medicine & Science, AAMC.
- Building Academic Leaders in the Humanities, Five College Consortium.
- Giving & Receiving Feedback
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Buckingham & Goodall, The Feedback Fallacy, Harvard Business Review, 2019.
- Sheila Heen & Douglas Stone, Finding Coaching in Criticism, Harvard Business Review, 2014.
Discussion Framework
- What concept in the Postdoc Academy module or the introduction video did I find most interesting? How about with my advisor?
- How important is it for me to refine my feedback giving or receiving process? What would I like to do to get there? How can my mentor help?
- How comfortable do I feel about doing the Rewind the Tape activity with my mentor? Are they ready/open to try it too and receive feedback? (If yes, feel free to prepare the table as explained in this video. What could you have done differently? What does your advisor think they could have done differently? How can you both move forward?).
Additional Resources
Read
- How to start your lab, 8 PIs share what they wish they knew, eBook, NanoTemperTech.
- The Feedback Fallacy: How to make feedback work in the workplace, Forbes.
Watch
- Why feedback fails, Marcus Buckingham, YouTube video.
Listen
- Optimizing Performance through Preparation and Feedback with Mark Guadagnoli, Faculty Factory Podcast.
- How to give and receive feedback painlessly with Andrew Wilner, Faculty Factory Podcast.
Act
- The Engaged Feedback Checklist, Dare to Lead, Brené Brown.
- The new feedback giving approach, from the Feedback Fallacy table
- Time Management
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Bartlett, Arsan, Bankston, Sarabipour, Ten Simple Rules to Improve Work-Life Balance, PLoS Computational Biology, 2021.
- Susi, Shalvi, & Srinivas, “I’ll work on it over the weekend”: high workload and other pressures faced by young researchers, Nature, 2019.
- Flaherty C., So Much to Do, So Little Time, Inside Higher Ed, 2014.
Discussion Framework
- How do I manage and protect my time? How satisfied am I with my current time management practices?
- What am I struggling the most with when it comes to time management (setting priorities, saying no, setting boundaries, fending off distractions)? Where can my mentor help?
- What do I plan to do to improve my time management practices?
Additional Resources
Read
- Time Management: Seize the moment, J. M. Perkel, 2015, Nature
- The Awesomest 7-Year Postdoc or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Tenure-Track Faculty Life, R. Nagpal, 2013, Scientific American Blog Network
- The Art of ‘No’, Robin Bernstein, 2017 The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Time Management, Chapter 6 in Making the Right Moves, A Practical Guide to Scientifıc Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, BWF, HHMI.
Watch
- Time Management in Academia, M. Rillig, 2021, YouTube video
- The Philosophy of Time Management, Brad Aeon, TEDx, YouTube video
Listen
- Using Time Productively, Faculty Factory Podcast
- Time Management & Efficiency, Faculty Factory Podcast
- Professor-ing when life happens, from the PROFESSOR-ING Podcast
- Transferable Skills
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Langin, K., In a first, U.S. private sector employs nearly as many PhDs as schools do, Science, 2019.
- Moore, M., The Changing Landscape of tenure-Track Positions, HigherEd Jobs, 2019.
- Sinche M, Layton RL, Brandt PD, O’Connell AB, Hall JD, Freeman AM, et al. (2017) An evidence-based evaluation of transferable skills and job satisfaction for science PhDs. PLoS ONE 12(9): e0185023.
Discussion Framework
- What are two or more jobs that I would be interested in transitioning into after my postdoc? How did I learn about/collect data on these jobs? How am I planning to further explore these jobs and how could my mentor help?
- What transferable skills can I leverage to transition into any of these jobs?
- What are skills that I would like to gain to increase my marketability and ease the transition into my next career step?
Additional Resources
Read
- Langin, K., Amid pandemic, U.S. faculty job openings plummet, Science, 2020.
- Woolston, C., Seeking an ‘exit plan’ for leaving academia amid coronavirus worries, Nature, 2020.
- Kruger, P., Why it is not a ‘failure’ to leave academia, Nature, 2018.
- The Transferable Postdoc, Kendall Powell, Science, 2014.
- Transferable skills for industry, Courtney Chandler, 2021, ASBMB Magazine.
- 11 Reasons to ignore the haters and major in the Humanities, Max Nisen, 2013, INSIDER.
Watch
- Invest in your strengths, Marcus Buckingham, YouTube video.
- 3 Steps to Identify and Articulate Transferable Skills, UC Davis Internship & Career Center, YouTube video.
- Identifying and Articulating Transferable Skills, PHutures, John Hopkins University, YouTube video.
Listen
- How to uncover your unique strengths, Let’s Fix Monday Podcast.
- Relationship Building, Transferable Skills, and Professional Growth with Penny S. Edwards, Faculty Factory Podcast.
- Coaching and Strength-based approaches to keep us progressing with Rachel Salas, Faculty Factory Podcast.
Act
- A Simple Matrix to Self-Assess Career Planning Preparedness, Sarah Blackford, BioScience Careers.
- Clement, L., Dorman, J.B., and McGee, R., The Academic Career Readiness Assessment: Clarifying Hiring and Training Expectations for Future Biomedical Life Sciences Faculty, Life Sciences Education, 2020. The ACRA tool is available on UCSF’s website.
- How to talk about your strengths and weaknesses in an interview, Tim Hodges and Bailey Nelson, Gallup, 2022.
- Strategic Networking
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Nowell, L., Ovie, G., Kenny, N. et al. Postdoctoral scholars’ perspectives about professional learning and development: a concurrent mixed-methods study. Palgrave Commun 6, 95 (2020).
- Medha Raj, Nathanael J. Fast, and Oliver Fisher, Identity and Professional Networking, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 2017 43:6, 772-784.
- Mapping and Building your Developmental Network, ©Kram & Higgins 2013, Boston University Medical Campus – Faculty Development (Worksheet).
Discussion Framework
- Who do I have in my network? Am I well-networked for the career goals that I currently have?
- What could I do to strategically expand my network? How can my mentor support me?
- Consider presenting the big picture of your network to your mentor. In what areas are you satisfied with the number of connections you have? In what areas would you like to have more connections?
Additional Resources
Read
- Francesca Gino, Maryam Kouchaki, and Tiziana Casciaro, Learn to Love Networking, Harvard Business Review, 2016.
- Beronda Montgomery, Evolving from a focus on mentee to cultivating a mentoring ecosystem, 2019.
- Robin Bernstein, How to talk to famous professors, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2017.
Watch
- How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work, Carla Harris, TED Talk.
- Networking effectively from the start of your doctorate to the end of your postdoc, Penn Career Services, YouTube video.
Listen
- Podcast Episodes on Networking, Faculty Factory Podcast.
- Ten steps to transition your career into business, Postdoc Transformation Podcast.
Act
- Mapping and Building your Developmental Network, ©Kram & Higgins 2013, Boston University Medical Campus – Faculty Development (Worksheet).
- Managing Career Transitions
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Introduction
Mentor Interviews
Introduction Video References
- Aziz, E. E. (2015). Project closing: the small process group with big impact. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2015—EMEA, London, England. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute (PMI).
- Haberthur, K., Leaving Lab: How to Best Transition from the Lab, Bitesize Bio, 2016.
Discussion Framework
- For people currently in the interview process,
- What are the key steps of the interview process I am currently through? How could my mentor support me/share their own expertise about this process?
- What key tasks do I need to complete to transition outside of the postdoc (project closure, project handover, anticipating the evolution of the mentoring relationship, etc.)?
- For people who are not yet at the interview stage:
- What aspects of my personal, career, and professional development would I like to further invest in the short-, middle-, and long-term? Why are these important to me?
- How can I integrate them in my Individual Development Plan? How often would I like to revisit these goals?
Additional Resources
Read
- Nogrady, B., Exiting gracefully: how to leave a job behind, Nature Careers, 2021.
- Phases of the mentoring relationship, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
- Vick, J.M., and Furlong, J.S., Dealing with a difficult adviser, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2010.
- Darling, Lu Ann W. EdD. What To Do About Toxic Mentors. Nurse Educator 11(2):p 29-30, March 1986.
- Talk It Out: Dealing with a Tough Situation, Duke Faculty Advancement, 2021.
- Alle-Hardisty, L, Dealing with a difficult team member? Five tips to help you make better decisions, Forbes, 2021.
Watch
- Stages of the Mentoring Relationship (excerpt of the video Preparing your first mentoring meeting, A webinar with Dr Amy Iversen, The Academy of Medical Sciences), YouTube video.
Listen
- Breaking Up is Hard To Do, Professor-ing Podcast.
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