For many graduate and post-graduate students in scientific fields, a career at the bench seems to be the only option.  From our earliest exposures to science, we have been taught the scientific method of identifying a problem, developing a hypothesis, designing an experiment to test that hypothesis, and finally examining and interpreting our results.  To many, science is synonymous with experimentation.  This can range from exploratory science in academia to the development of pharmaceuticals in industry and clinical settings.  What we often overlook, however, is that behind the hours and h

Beyond the Tenure Track is a consulting firm that helps in strategic planning of careers for graduate students, post-docs and faculty to facilitate a fruitful career in science. The firm aids scientists at various stages of their careers to utilize their potentials and achieve their transitions into alternate and diverse career paths.

My name is Yang Chen. I cannot forget the excitement the first time that I put my eyes close to a microscope to look into a single cell; I was 14 and in 8th grade Biology class. From that moment, I fell in love with biological sciences and have continued to view the world through the lens of biology ever since. Over the past 20 years, I have eagerly pursued advanced training in biological sciences to enhance my own personal understanding of science. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering in China, I moved to Hokkaido University in Japan to continue my Master’s studies.

In September, fellow blogger Bob O’Hagan reviewed an opinion piece that was published on nextscientist.com entitled “How To Know If You Should Leave Academia … Before Wasting Years In Postdocs”.  The article, written by Dr.

In addition to weighing career options after graduation and searching for potential job matches, F-1 international students also have to make another important decision: either go back to their home country, or stay and work here in the US. F-1 international student visas expire after completing your studies and earning your degree, so if international students do decide to stay and work in the US, the deadline of their legal stay puts additional pressure in making career decisions.

Hello everyone! My name is Fatu Badiane Markey and I am very excited about blogging for iJOBS at Rutgers University. Before we get into the more serious articles, let me tell you a little bit about myself. As an undergraduate, I majored in Biology with a concentration in Neural and Behavioral studies at Bryn Mawr College. At that time, I was interested in pursuing a career in medicine. My goal at that point was to become a neurologist, or neurosurgeon. I took pre-med classes as part of my course work and even prepared to take the MCAT.

Some of us groan when we realize our presentation date for our academic program’s research seminar has rolled around. We all wish we could postpone it until that one amazing experiment is completed, until we at least have some positive data, or just until the reviewers get back to us about our recently submitted manuscript. Please, please, please? In today’s research world, where everyone is a critic, don’t we all cringe at the idea of going up in front of people and presenting an incomplete project?

“Those who invest in both their work and relationships will reap the greatest number of opportunities”. -Peter Fiske.