First “Careers Lunch” a Rousing Success

 

The first AAI “Careers Lunch” was held at the AAI meeting in Denver in May of 2003.  The majority (95%) of the participants who attended the lunch felt that the information they received was very worthwhile and valuable.  As one participant noted, “These are the invisible things that we rarely get to discuss.”  “There was a lot of experience as well as practical information.  It helped me to clarify my career choices,” commented another.  The most frequent comment received from participants was “Please hold this again next year!”  Based on the overwhelmingly positive response of the 110 participants, the Careers Discussion will likely become a regular feature at future AAI meetings.

 

The Careers Lunch was sponsored and organized by the AAI Committee on the Status of Women (CSOW).  The event was kicked off by brief remarks from AAI Executive Director Michelle Hogan and CSOW Chair Ellen Richie.  The format of the lunch was based on a similar and very popular lunch that has been held for many years at Cell Biology meetings.  Participants pre-registered for the lunch and were assigned to a table based on their interest in a particular topic [The topic lists are given below].  One table leader and up to 10 participants were assigned to each table.  All participants received box lunches.  Table leaders, selected for having significant experience relating to the topic being discussed, led informal and wide-ranging discussions over the next hour.  Discussions focused on early-career options and issues for women and men pursuing careers in a variety of arenas, including academia, biotech/industry, government, politics, journalism, law and teaching.  Discussion topics included:

Most of the discussions continued after the hour was over.  Many participants commented that they wished there had been more time or that they could have participated in more than one discussion.

 

The CSOW is currently planning for the next Careers Discussion, to be held at the April 2004 FASEB meeting next year in Washington DC.  The committee plans to add discussion topics relevant to mid-career scientists.  Suggestions for discussion topics are welcomed and should be sent to erichie@odin.mdacc.tmc.edu.

 

 

 

The CSOW would like to thank the following table leaders for their service:

Jennifer Bell

Christine Biron

Gail Bishop

Todd Blakely

Melissa Brown

Kathryn Calame

Alison Deckhut

Barbara Detrick

Monica Fleshner

Michele Hogan

Nancy Hosken

Paula Kavathas

Marilyn Kehry

Judy Kapp

Joan Lunney

Phillipa Marrack

Olivia Martinez

Pamela Ohashi

Rebecca O’Brien

Judy Owen

Yvonne Patterson

Helen Quill

Linda Thompson

Linda Toth

Lucy Wrenshall

 

Topic List

Career Options:

Academic Research

Biotech and Industry Research

Patent Law/Intellectual Property

Scientific Journalism

Bioinformatics

NIH

CDC and FDA

Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology

Politics of Science

Teaching at Undergraduate Institutions

Primary and High School Science Education

 

Career Issues:

Obtaining a Good Postdoc Position

Job Application Strategies for Research Positions

Developing Administrative Techniques/Management Skills

University/Industry Collaborations: Clinically Based Translational Research

Networking

Couples and Careers

Children and Careers/Family Leave

Preparing for Tenure at Medical School or Research University

Preparing for Tenure at Undergraduate Institution

Attracting Students and Postdocs

Changing Careers: Biotech and Academia

Sabbaticals and Time-outs: Long-term Career Strategizing

Integrity and Ethics: Dealing with Controversy in Science

 

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