- Big Words
My PhD mentor was a great guy, but like most of us he wasn’t perfect. What was his flaw? He liked to use big words. Depending on the audience, airing out the “big words” might be appropriate, but for the most part big words make for cumbersome and confusing writing. William Zinss...
- Practical Writing Advice from a Writing Teacher
How to Write an Essay Like an Equation, by Eric Sentell, PhD, a writing instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, offers step-by-step advice for communicating ideas clearly. While some sections are more applicable to undergraduate essays, most chapters feature strategies...
- Making Writing More Memorable and Persuasive
In the last week, you’ve reviewed a couple hundred grant proposals. Or skimmed a couple hundred CVs and cover letters. Or graded a hundred papers. Which proposal will you advocate for? Which candidate will you pound the table to interview? Which student will you write an enthusia...
- Tips for Scoring a VA Career Development Award
For those with a connection to the Veterans Health Administration, the VA CDA 2 can be a great way to propel your career. These awards are bigger than an NIH K, but come with unique requirements. Dr. Eric Tkaczyk recently received one of these grants, and he shares his tips for s...
- StrengthsFinder 2.0: Discover Your CliftonStrengths
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. – Lao Tzu
I cannot sing, dance, or act. Regardless how passionately I longed as a kid to be a Broadway triple threat, my desire could not compensate for lack of talent. Lining the pockets of coaches and teachers f...
- An International Postdoc Experience
Edge for Scholars recently had the honor of discussing international postdoctoral experiences with Dr. Brian Mautz, Postdoctoral Fellow with the Division of Epidemiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Prior to coming to VUMC, Dr. Mautz spent two years at the Univ...
- The Scientist’s Adverb
In today’s class, we’re going to talk about the scientist’s adverb. I bet you didn’t know that scientists have an adverb all their own, so you’re no doubt thrilled that you stumbled upon this post.
Before I get too far, I sense some of you are struggling to remember the specific...
- On the Market: A Job Hunt Roundup
Are you preparing for the next career stage, looking to change directions, or just curious to see what’s out there (perhaps for an ongoing negotiation)? We’ve rounded up job boards with postings that span career stage, scientific discipline, and industry sector. Use job alerts so...
- How a Jail-house Letter and Goat Research Can Get Your Grant Funded
In FY2018, NIH received nearly 55,000 grant applications and funded just over 11,000, a 20% success rate. The NSF gets about 40,000 applications a year and also funds about 11,000. Many great research proposals are left unfunded each year.
To give your grant application its be...
- More Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote My K
[caption id="attachment_8333" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] Many colorful letters. Useful for concepts[/caption]
Three more K awardees share the advice they wish they’d received before preparing career development awards. Writing your K? Listen up. (And read advice from prio...
