MOVING YOUR CAREER FROM GOOD TO GREAT: KEYS FOR MANAGING YOUR CAREER SUCCESS JOAN M. LAKOSKI, PH.D. ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC CAREER DEVELOPMENT UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

Know what you are passionate about Build to your strengths – what you best in the world at Know what drives your resource engine A frame work for today’s discussion on managing your career Lead the right team

Careers as a rollercoaster ride Highs, lows, twists and turns

If research was always predictable and easy, we would have no ups and downs

Research careers in academic institutions and industry are increasingly difficult to navigate As you transition to an independent investigator

The old linear model of academia

The new dynamic model of academia

B UILDING A RESEARCH PROGRAM Your challenge is to bring your talents, scientific ideas and creativity to fruition – now and into the future Your 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

Great things take time to build….

Reviews, Abstracts & Letters Member Research Team Conducting research Mentoring/ Advising Teaching Lab/Clinic/ Classroom Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Endowed Chair Named Chair yrs yrs yrs. Publications Research Leadership/Administration Academic Career Pathways Consider steps to build your academic pyramid…

Reviews, Abstracts & Letters Original Articles Member Research Team Conducting research Mentoring/ Advising Teaching Lab/Clinic/ Classroom Journal Peer Review NIH K Awardee PI Foundation Grant Research Team Leader Mentoring/ Advising Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Endowed Chair Named Chair yrs yrs yrs. Publications Research Leadership/Administration Academic Career Pathways

Reviews, Abstracts & Letters Original Articles Member Research Team Conducting research Mentoring/ Advising Teaching Lab/Clinic/ Classroom Journal Peer Review NIH K Awardee PI Foundation Grant Research Team Leader Mentoring/ Advising Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Endowed Cha i r Named Chair Original Articles Editorial Board PI NIH R01 Grant yrs yrs yrs. Publication Research Leadership/Administration Academic Career Pathways Co-investigator Multicenter study Mentoring/ Advising Original Articles PI Multi-Disc Team Program Project Study Section Panel Nat’l Society Leadership Mentoring/ Advising Original Articles Institute Director Dept Chair Mentoring/ Advising Dean/ Assoc. Dean President/ Nat’l Society

B UILDING A RESEARCH PROGRAM Your challenge is to bring your talents, scientific ideas and creativity to fruition – now and into the future Your 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

What we hope you will learn from this session  My goals:  Provide some insights/ideas as you look ahead to manage the next stages of your career  Objectives:  Know where you are now – the organizational structure  Reflect on your vision and goals – utilize goal setting  Develop a plan to achieve your vision  Understand how mentoring can empower your success

KNOW THE MISSIONS AND ORGANIZATION OF YOUR RESEARCH HOME 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop Academic Health Centers: Complexity in a typical university and medical center with many different models

Research Education Service - Community, Institution, Profession Clinical practice Entrepreneurial Know your institutional missions

Learn who is in charge  Vice President for Health Affairs (Health Sciences)  Dean  Vice deans or associate deans Mission based responsibilities  Hospital Executive Director/President/COO  CFO  Department Chairs  Division or section heads/chiefs

Other executive officials and structures  Chancellor  In the USA, functions as president  President  Serves as Chief Executive Officer  Provost (Reports into Chancellor or President)  Chief officer of some colleges  Chief academic officer This information becomes especially important when it is time for promotion and tenure reviews

Understand the administrative structure  The medical school – medical center relationship  The financial health of the medical center may be reflected in the financial health of the med school  What does it mean to you as an investigator?  Breaking down insularity and isolation allows for a better understanding of the relationship  Improves chances for success of both you and your organization  Your success is dependent on the success of your organization and it’s ability to provide you with resources

Manage your career success by developing important relationships  Chair/Chief help to advance your career, but other faculty in department are critical  Department and college business personnel  Research infrastructure personnel  Human subjects office; Animal care and use; etc.  Faculty affairs dean  Mentors Make an effort to get to know persons who support your scholarly efforts

THE NORMS FOR PROMOTION AND TENURE CONTINUE TO BE COMPETITIVE, WITH THE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY INCREASING AS WE SPEAK Enhance your knowledge and understanding of promotion and tenure processes in a university setting Consider the successful pole vault…

Success requires intensive training, planning, and support

Remember the bar may go higher While you are preparing for your jump…

Your goal for a promotion and tenure review: Clear the bar with plenty of room to spare

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUR IDEAL CAREER? 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR YOUR RESEARCH PROGRAM? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE? Self-reflection Exercise # NCI New Grantee Workshop

WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU NEED TO LEAD YOUR RESEARCH PROGRAM? ARE YOU READY TO BE A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER ABLE TO WORK IN TODAY’S ENVIRONMENT OF TEAM SCIENCE? 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

In order to achieve your vision… … Consider using goal setting to help build the blocks of your research pyramid

Assess work-related values and career goals What passions and motivations drive your work? Work satisfaction? Long-term goals? Goal Setting : Taking Time to Reflect

WHOSE CAREER IS IT, ANYWAYS? You own your career Look at yourself Look around Look ahead Identify goals and create a plan 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

Make a conscious decision about which area or areas are most important Otherwise, you make choices unconsciously As scientists and clinicians, do you really want to make important decisions unconsciously? Set Goals and Prioritize

GOALS Consider short-term and long-term aspirations Self, Family, Career, Community and Spirit

Goal Setting: A Formal Process  Goals provide Long-term vision Short-term motivation Focus, balance and direction  Goals help to: Inventory and organize resources Focus choices and asset development Prevent diffusion of energy

Goals are best when they are:  Realistic  Continuous research funding by extramural sponsors  Positive  Nationally or internationally known in my field  Flexible  Occupy a position of leadership in my organization

Effective goals and objectives  Are prioritized  Are precise  Are written  Are time-limited  Are realistic  Are not set too low

So you have your goals - now create a plan What new skills, knowledge, or abilities do I need to achieve my goals? What are some short-term goals (3-6 months) that I could start on right now? How can I gain the skills that will help me with my goals while in my current job? What relevant experiences can I have through serving on committees etc. Who in my network can help? Self-reflection Exercise #2

1. KNOW YOUR GOALS 2. HAVE A PLAN 3. FIND THE RIGHT RESOURCES Mentors! Identifying the next best steps to meet your goals

WHO CAN HELP? TIME TO FIND A MENTOR Or Multiple Mentors 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

New investigators face complex issues navigating the labyrinth of establishing a research program Where to I want to go? How to I find the right path? Who will help me make the best choices? Will my organization help me meet my goals?

CONSIDER MENTORING – AN ESSENTIAL STRATEGY FOR LONG-TERM PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

AND WHO DO WE TURN TO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE? Mentors

AND ARE THERE RISKS IN A MENTORING RELATIONSHIP? Good Mentors The challenge is to learn from both Tormentors

Mentors can ask great questions: What are your immediate goals? Where do you want to be in the next 2 years? What do you want to accomplish in 10 years? Have you considered personal issues, including work-life balance? Do you have a written plan? Mentors can assist with timelines and goals

Mentors can help with career transitions for early stage investigators Issues to be addressed  What are career path options?  Do I know my talents and passions?  What skills are needed?  How do I prepare applications and interviews? Finding resources and support  Utilize mentors and institutional resources  Explore options and short-term experiences  Find appropriate training and networking  Support practice to acquire polished professional skills

WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN YOUR RESEARCH CAREER FOR THE LONG-HAUL? Tenacity Resilience Persistence Optimism, Good humor, Luck, Fortitude

Empower Your Career Success Solution Focused  Key Domains:  Career planning  Professional skill development  Networking (Avoid Isolation)  Mentoring  Track outcomes Avoid diffusion of effort

THE KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE CAREER TRANSITION – AT EVERY STAGE – IS TO HAVE A PLAN AND HAVE A MENTOR! 2010 NCI New Grantee Workshop

So if your next career steps seem like a rollercoaster ride…

Remember that great things take time to build….

Research careers can be a great ride to share with family, friends and colleagues Good luck and enjoy the ride!