Advice for plant science PhD students about how to plan their careers, including how to build a strong CV through outreach activities

1. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Your role as a hub in the
science community network
Mary Williams
The Plant Cell
American Society of Plant Biologists
mwilliams@aspb.org
@PlantTeaching

2. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
15% of US postdocs get
tenure-track faculty job
within 6 years post PhD
20% get non-tenure track
academic jobs
Nature 472, 276-279 (2011)
Others get jobs;
•In industry
•In government,
•In non-research, science related
jobs
•Or move into non-science
related jobs
30% of US biology
PhD graduates do
not do a postdoc

3. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Chance
favors the
prepared
mind.
Louis Pasteur
(1822 – 1895)
Dans les champs de
l'observation le hasard ne
favorise que les esprits
préparés

4. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
You are part of an extensive network
You can benefit from and contribute to this network

5. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Exposure to scientists transforms
children’s perceptions
http://ed.fnal.gov/projects/scientists/
To me, a scientist
is bald and has
hair coming out of
the sides of his
head. . . .
Scientists live in
their own world
and the rest of
society puts them
there.
PRE

6. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Exposure to scientists transforms
children’s perceptions
http://ed.fnal.gov/projects/scientists/
To me, a scientist
is bald and has
hair coming out of
the sides of his
head. . . .
Scientists live in
their own world
and the rest of
society puts them
there.
I know scientists are
just normal people
with a not so normal
job. . . . Scientists
lead a normal life
outside of being a
scientist. They are
interested in dancing,
pottery, jogging and
even racquetball. Being
a scientist is just
another job which can
be much more exciting.
PRE POST

7. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
FOPD Glasgow

8. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
http://www.cur.org/publications/publication_listings/
How-to guides for undergraduate research mentors
Mentor an undergraduate researcher

9. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Mentor an iGEM team

10. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Mentor primary school students-
PlantingScience.org

11. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
ASPB outreach opportunities
Volunteer by emailing katie@aspb.org
2015 National Conference
in Chicago
March 12–15, 2015
November 11-14, 2015
Providence, Rhode Island

12. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Research-led teaching opportunities
for early career researchers
http://blog.aspb.org/2014/04/28/research-led-teaching-opportunities-for-early-career-researchers/
How to get opportunities
How to make sure they are effective
How to get credit for your efforts
Raise funds
Organize workshop
Asses impact
Write summaries
(All are “transferrable skills”)

13. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
https://postphdperceptions.wordpress.com/
@_CharlotteCC_
Charlotte Caroll

14. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
http://www.kws-uk.com/go/id/cioa/
Your profile:
• MSc or Ph.D. in plant breeding or related fields like biology or genetics
• Strong bases in breeding methods and particular quantitative genetics
• Good bases in molecular breeding
• Good bases in agronomy, especially cereals
• Good understanding of population-, line- and hybrid breeding
• Skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication skill, especially in oral and written communication
• • Flexibility to travel
Read job ads. Identify what skills
you need, what employers want
Science skills
Transferrable skills

15. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Your qualifications
Previous trials experience and the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection are
desirable, with a practical knowledge of agronomy.
You should be able to balance your team-working skills with an ability to work
alone, deliver high quality trials, meet deadlines and pay attention to detail.
Relevant NPTC application certificates are also essential, as is a biological
degree in a relevant subject
Specialized certifications
Transferrable skills
Specialized certifications

16. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
http://www.biosciencecareers.org/
@BiosciCareer

17. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Sat 25 July, 3:30 – 7:30
PUI Networking Workshop
Mon 27 July
Panel Discussion: Work life balance
Publishing discussion with editors
Tues 38 July
“The industry option”, workshop and
discussion

18. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
http://jobs.botany.org/
http://www.nature.com/
naturejobs/science/news
http://my.aspb.org/?page=Career_Center

19. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
http://myidp.sciencecareers.org/
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/

20. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Social media is like biology!
CanalizationSignal amplificationSignal relay

21. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Networks can help your papers (and
outreach efforts) get noticed

22. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Social media can help you find job
industry (and other) opportunities
@KWS_Group @MonsantoEurope
@MonsantoCo
@Bayer4Crops @Syngenta
@SyngentaCropUK

23. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Blogging can help you get a job in
science communication

24. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Blogging can help you get a job in
science communication
• Start writing – blogs need guest
writers, or start your own
• There is a real need for visual aids
– photographs, diagrams,
cartoons, videos!

25. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
Get involved in professional
societies
Teaching
Work-life balance
Travel awards
Careers advice
Outreach
opportunities
Industry contacts

26. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists
What do you really enjoy?
Could you be happy if you weren’t a PI?
How important is money?
How important is job stability?
Do you like to teach?
Do you like to manage others?
Do you like to write?
What are your personal goals and values?
Read lots of job ads carefully. What do you need
to be competitive?
Write a CV that includes transferrable skills
Fill gaps in your skills
Volunteer!
Find mentors, build a network
(Twitter!)
Get involved in professional societies