- How to “Do it All” (By Not Doing it All)
As an academic mom of three, I get asked all of the time how I “do it all”. Short answer: I don’t! Long answer: Check out these thoughts, tips and tricks I shared recently in a Twitter thread.
1) Set boundaries and choose exceptions carefully: Because much of academic work is...
- Fierce Conversations
Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work & in Life, One Conversation at a Time
Although the title may bring to mind some vivid images, author Susan Scott doesn't suggest that we talk in threatening overconfidence with unrelenting passion, but rather that our conversat...
- Celebrating “The Climb”
To achieve a goal, we must celebrate the small wins to fuel motivation. No matter how small, we must recognize the milestones along the way as a tool to energize the process. It is also equally important to intentionally pause and take time to celebrate often while working to...
- On the Interview Trail While Pregnant or Pumping
As our reproductive years increasingly overlap with our postdoc years, it’s not uncommon to end up in the rather awkward situation to be on the job market while pregnant or pumping breast milk. I experienced both, so I thought I would share my tips and suggestions. One positi...
- Navigating Academic Relationships
The bedrock of any good relationship – whether academic or otherwise – is clear communication and aligning expectations. When clear communication is not established, it can lead to isolation, stalemates, and even conflict, but in all instances, it negatively impacts productiv...
- Staying Mentally Well in Academia is a Balancing Act
The post is longer and more personal than my other posts. I hope to make a small contribution to encouraging discussions about mental health in academia.
Mental health issues have been part of my life as far as I can remember, both through my personal experiences and those...
- Choosing What to Do or Not to Do on the Job
Lives with daycare drop-offs, graduate students to monitor and department chairs to please can be hectic. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that we can actually do much more than we think we can - when our priorities are in-line. I am also amazed at how well things work ou...
- Working with the Kids at Home? Tips from an Experienced Parent
The ongoing pandemic has made working remotely with kids a reality for many parents. With schools mostly back in person, it's less of an all-day struggle, but with exposure quarantines and canceled aftercare/activities, the kids are still at home more often than usual. Reports ...
- Celebrating Team Wins
Favorite traditions for basking in the glory of a first-authored paper or awarded grant
Celebrating lab successes creates a culture of compassion, motivates lab members, and teaches the next generation of scientists to lead with kindness.
Accomplishments
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- How to REALLY Manage Your Time
A few years ago, I was sitting in my office with a few first-year graduate students. They had recently attended a session on setting goals that I had given and wanted to set goals that would allow them to maximize their experience in school.
We were in Utah where there were many...
