Here's one of my extremely rare hoops posts. One of my favorite players the last four years was Eric Maynor, the point guard at Virginia Commonwealth. I remember seeing his highlights even before his shot to beat Duke in the '07 tourney. I went to the VCU at Bradley game during the '07-08 season, and his play was stellar, as he was clearly the best player on the floor. College hoops will miss players like him. I hope he ends up with a solid NBA team. Hat tip to this summary of his skills, which is what kicked off this post. I really like the tribute video that VCU did and wanted to stick it on here too:
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Postdoc mentoring
I think I've pretty much made up my mind that I want to take the postdoc slot that is available at another school. Although I've already gone through the employee orientation here, this was just a matter of keeping in good standing while making up my mind. The challenge, though, is figuring out some life-related things. I guess maybe I should just say 'what the hell' and go for it.
While thinking about my future plans, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the opportunities and mentoring that I would like to have as a postdoc. Since my goal after this is to obtain a tenure track position, I don't just want to be a lab tool - I need a more well-rounded exposure.
On the research end, I want to learn new skills and work with new people. Ideally I'd like to have two papers a year, but my minimum goal is one per year, with hopefully at least one other paper that I'm not first author on.
I would like to submit at least one grant for independent funding. I'm about ready to submit a postdoc grant here at my doctoral institution - good experience - but assuming I leave, I have no plans to accept it. (Considering it is "only" to pay my salary, with planned research supported by other means, I wouldn't be missing out on much...except that the salary is 50% greater than the standard NIH postdoc pay). I want to be supported to travel to conferences.
I'd like the opportunity to teach in a class or two - not necessarily run a whole class, but I need more exposure to teaching. On the other side, I'd like the opportunity to take a class or two. I may not end up using the opportunity, but I at least want that option. Here, I'd plan/consider taking courses on Grant Writing, Project Management, and Advanced Data Analysis.
With the mentoring, I want to have a formal plan for goals and objectives with my mentor, including planned bi-yearly feedback sessions. I want to be clear on the % of my time that should be explicitly research, as opposed to other training mechanisms. I expect to have regular meetings talking about research progress, but I also need/want regular meetings to talk about overall progress towards being a better tenure track candidate. Along those lines, I'd like to have a secondary mentor who is not in the lab - to meet with twice a year or so to receive an outside perspective on my progress. This is a mentoring that is explicitly called out in the grant I am submitting - but may not be planned for if I leave.
I'd also want more clinical involvement. At either location, I plan to be involved with a clinical study. I also want to be able to shadow clincians at different times, and in different fields, to see how what I work on may be beneficial and/or improved.
And, of course, I expect advice and assistance when I'm looking for my next position. Assuming my potential new mentor doesn't balk at any of these options, I should be making plans soon to leave....after I take a much-needed two-week vacation later this month. :-)
While thinking, these websites have provided good information:
Going in with your eyes open, from the National Postdoctoral Association, and
Doctors Without Orders postdoc survey from Sigma Xi
Both of which were listed on this good reference list for "How to find a postdoc" on the UNC website.
Also, FSP has had a timely, good discussion on postdoc mentoring and a follow-up post.
While thinking about my future plans, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the opportunities and mentoring that I would like to have as a postdoc. Since my goal after this is to obtain a tenure track position, I don't just want to be a lab tool - I need a more well-rounded exposure.
On the research end, I want to learn new skills and work with new people. Ideally I'd like to have two papers a year, but my minimum goal is one per year, with hopefully at least one other paper that I'm not first author on.
I would like to submit at least one grant for independent funding. I'm about ready to submit a postdoc grant here at my doctoral institution - good experience - but assuming I leave, I have no plans to accept it. (Considering it is "only" to pay my salary, with planned research supported by other means, I wouldn't be missing out on much...except that the salary is 50% greater than the standard NIH postdoc pay). I want to be supported to travel to conferences.
I'd like the opportunity to teach in a class or two - not necessarily run a whole class, but I need more exposure to teaching. On the other side, I'd like the opportunity to take a class or two. I may not end up using the opportunity, but I at least want that option. Here, I'd plan/consider taking courses on Grant Writing, Project Management, and Advanced Data Analysis.
With the mentoring, I want to have a formal plan for goals and objectives with my mentor, including planned bi-yearly feedback sessions. I want to be clear on the % of my time that should be explicitly research, as opposed to other training mechanisms. I expect to have regular meetings talking about research progress, but I also need/want regular meetings to talk about overall progress towards being a better tenure track candidate. Along those lines, I'd like to have a secondary mentor who is not in the lab - to meet with twice a year or so to receive an outside perspective on my progress. This is a mentoring that is explicitly called out in the grant I am submitting - but may not be planned for if I leave.
I'd also want more clinical involvement. At either location, I plan to be involved with a clinical study. I also want to be able to shadow clincians at different times, and in different fields, to see how what I work on may be beneficial and/or improved.
And, of course, I expect advice and assistance when I'm looking for my next position. Assuming my potential new mentor doesn't balk at any of these options, I should be making plans soon to leave....after I take a much-needed two-week vacation later this month. :-)
While thinking, these websites have provided good information:
Going in with your eyes open, from the National Postdoctoral Association, and
Doctors Without Orders postdoc survey from Sigma Xi
Both of which were listed on this good reference list for "How to find a postdoc" on the UNC website.
Also, FSP has had a timely, good discussion on postdoc mentoring and a follow-up post.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
