Careers

GENETICS Editor-in-Chief Mark Johnston introduces a new peer review training program for early career scientists. “Just tell them what you think of them.” That was the response of one of my mentors when I asked him how I should review grant applications. I was a newly-minted Assistant Professor and had been asked to sit on an NIH study section. I…

Young Wha Lee, Data Scientist at Monsanto, talks about searching for a career that bridges interests and gives joy, and how to approach industry jobs.  In the Decoding Life series, we talk to geneticists with diverse career paths, tracing the many directions possible after research training. This series is brought to you by the GSA…

Can your résumé survive a ten-second scan from a recruiter and still make it into the YES pile? If you are targeting non-academic roles, you will need to create a résumé for each job application. This article will discuss the many strategies you can use to develop effective written communications, and how to provide a…

Guest post by Kalyn Gackowski What makes me unique? How are my experiences relevant? How can I show them I’m the ideal candidate? What do I know about [dream job I have never had direct experience in]? Whether you’re looking for a job or just starting your career exploration, the answer to these questions will…

We are proud to support three new symposia organized by student and postdoctoral members of the GSA! The goal of the GSA Trainee-Organized Symposia program is to empower our early career members to organize local events that enhance the professional development of their peers, including career skills symposia, networking events, and scientific symposia with substantial opportunities for…

Guest post by Adriana Bankston and Sonia Hall Postdocs often lack the professional development opportunities they need. Many stakeholders are working to address this critical gap, including the academic, non-profit, private, and government sectors. While postdocs benefit from the great variety of resources and providers, it is important to minimize duplication of efforts. To maximize the…

Guest post by Bob Dolan In a highly competitive market it is important to distinguish yourself. To do so, you need to create your personal brand. While a “brand” might sound like something that only applies to a commercial product, this is just another way of saying your message should be clear so people understand…

Guest post by Bob Dolan, MIT “What will I do next in my career?” can be a daunting question when there are so many options and variables to consider. Whether you are interested in a non-research career or a research-intensive track in academia or industry, this article will help you design a career exploration strategy. Your…

Searching for a job can be overwhelming and it is often difficult to know where or how to begin. To get you over the activation energy threshold for starting your job search, here are a few general tips for designing a non-academic resume.   Format Let’s start with the basics – how a resume should…

Guest post by Lynn S. Villafuerte. The first post in our new Career Tips series explores a way for students to increase their competitiveness and preparation for graduate training. If you are considering PhD training, an essential first step is to assess your fit and competitiveness for graduate school. As part of this assessment, you should identify…

GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2017. The award is given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science…