A Few Thoughts on Research and Jobs

So I work in aging Links to an external site., as we've talked about before, but I just wanted to let you all see what my lab space is like. I used to work a large lab with over 100 members, but with my current lab, it's just me and my boss Alan. Links to an external site.

I think my takeaway from both is do whatever research helps you feel fulfilled (which is a super nebulous term), but also a job that leaves you satisfied. I don't necessarily think I'd do yeast genetics forever, but if it means having a place to go back to through the thick-and-thin of life/college, it's better than nothing.

Applying for a Job

When you're applying to a job, internship, or research position (or even graduate school), make sure you let them know you're interested in their work. Send an email and ask to talk with the head honcho. If you're interested, also ask other people who work in the company/lab what they're impressions of the work culture is like.

Questions to have in mind:

- Am I going to be able to learn something?

- Does this job pay enough for me to live here?

- Are people happy working here?

Writing your CV/Resume and Cover Letter

Do use "show don't tell" details where you talk about your experiences. You can have next to no-experience with science, but you can use your hard-skills and apply them to your CV and cover letter.

A great example of this is if you work as a waiter/waitress. You have experience working with pouring beverages. You can then write: "assisted in measuring and pouring mixtures" as a skill. This helps to paint you as someone who could use those same hard skills learned in the kitchen in a chemistry or environmental science lab because, guess what, you will also need to have the same precision while handling chemicals in lab.

Researching Your Researcher

Here's a video of how I research somebody to prepare for my interviewer.

Just keep in mind that we have access to a lot of different resources like Facebook, LinkedIn, and other sites that can give us information to help us during our interview.

Conversely, we also have to be aware that employers will often look us up too. So try to keep your professional and personal life separate when you get the chance.

Before and During an interview

Do practice ahead of time with a friend or with the UW Career Center.

Also realize that you're competent, don't let the other candidates make you feel uneasy. You got this. And trust me, no one gets every job that they encounter, so just keep your head up and apply to more jobs/positions until someone takes you.

For all the other employers who reject you: it's their loss. You're so much more important than whoever they decide to bring on.

Just take the night off after the interview. Watch a movie, hang out with friends, just reward yourself for a job well done.