MANAGING MIDCAREER TRANSITIONS: VOLUNTARY AND INVOLUNTARY

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MANAGING MID-CAREER TRANSITIONS VOLUNTARY AND
INVOLUNTARY ___________   Marian R. Walters,
Ph.D. Professor of Physiology Associate
Dean for Research Graduate Studies Penn
State Harrisburg
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Critical Issues -- Expected academic path
increased research/funding/teaching -- Many
faculty seek career progress outside traditional
academic paths -- Many academic institutions
dont provide training/only support targeted
faculty
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• General Considerations
• -- Not all academic careers follow the
  traditional path
• -- Many reasons to seek career
• changes

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Typical Mid-Career Scientist Many years
success at -- research and/or -- teaching
and/or -- service/administration
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Typical Mid-Career Scientist Many
years success at -- research and/or --
teaching and/or -- service/administration
Need to Grow/Expand/SURVIVE
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Seeking New Directions? -- New challenges
-- New grants -- Renewed student
interactions -- Salary/status increase --
Change in reporting structure
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General Considerations -- Differences
between voluntary and involuntary?
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Voluntary vs. Involuntary --
Lead time -- Positive vs. negative outlook
-- Forces a needed change
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Voluntary Change Is There
a Best Time?
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Voluntary Change Is There
a Best Time? -- Parallel Move New
Grant
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Voluntary Change Is There a Best Time? --
New career direction Never too soon to start
planning/researching options
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Voluntary Change Is There a Best Time? --
New career direction Never too soon to start
planning/researching options BUT, need
underlying experience expertise (documented)
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Accepting Involuntary Changes -- Need to take
charge, but -- Grieving process
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Need Time to Grieve -- Deal with
anger/anxiety
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Need Time to Grieve -- Deal
with anger/anxiety -- Grieve for loss of
research lab Dr. Richard Vari,
EB06
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Need Time to Grieve -- Deal
with anger/anxiety -- Grieve for loss of
research lab Dr. Richard Vari,
EB06 -- Crossing over into administration
is not treason!!
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Need Time to Grieve -- Deal
with Anger/Anxiety -- Grieve for loss of
research lab Dr. Richard Vari,
EB06 -- Crossing over into administration
is not treason!! -- Dont burn
bridges
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Accepting Involuntary Changes -- Easier if
previously considered/ tested
alternatives
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Accepting Involuntary Change -- Easier if
previously considerer/ tested alternatives
Administrative Committees
Mentoring/Development NIH/NSF
Panels APS, etc., Society Roles Other
Academic Hobbies
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training
and information Scan Job Ads (Science,
Chronicle)
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training
and information Scan job ads (Science,
Chronicle) Attend leadership career
programs
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training
and information Scan job ads (Science,
Chronicle) Attend leadership career
programs Seek mentors Consider
career coach
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training
and information Scan job ads (Science,
Chronicle) Attend leadership career
programs Seek mentors Consider
career coach Ask questions Try-outs
sabbaticals, summers,
etc.
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Assess
strengths Disengage from what is expected
consider what you enjoy
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Assess
strengths Disengage from what is expected
consider what you enjoy Peruse detailed
CV Colleagues Mentors
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Assess
strengths Disengage from what is expected
consider what you enjoy Peruse detailed
CV Colleagues Mentors Formal evaluation
Professional coach Leadership
programs
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training and
information -- Assess strengths -- Increase
professional contacts
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training and
information -- Assess strengths -- Increase
professional contacts Inside outside your
University Society meetings Other professional
sessions Collaborations
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Making the Most of Scientific Contacts --
Mingle at meetings -- Learn about job types
academic and non-academic -- Get to
know the principals -- Seek information on
openings
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Preparing for Change -- Seek training and
information -- Assess strengths -- Increase
professional contacts -- Begin the
application process
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Beginning the Job Search -- Lessons from prior
job search LONG PROCESS
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How To Manual for Career Transitions Beginning
the Job Search -- Lessons from prior job
search -- Cast a wide net -- Dont
prejudge opportunities/ job
descriptions
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Professional Application Package -- Strong
letter of application -- Revamped (brief)
curriculum vitae -- Executive summary
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Professional Application Package -- Names and
contact information for 4-6 strong references
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Professional Application Package -- Names and
contact information for 4-6 strong
references -- Strong RECOMMENDATION letter
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Professional Application Package -- Names and
contact information for 4-6 strong references
-- Strong RECOMMENDATION letter -- Variety of
academic positions -- Variety of connections
-- Varied demographics (gender, etc)
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Expect an initial
phone interview (and/or videoconference)

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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Expect an initial
phone interview (and/or videoconference)
-- Knowledge about the institution and
position
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Expect an initial
phone interview (and/or videoconference)
-- Knowledge about the institution and
position -- Know typical salary range
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Prepare to
discuss your vision for the position

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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Prepare to
discuss your vision for the position
-- Learn on the go/refine the search
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How To Manual for Career Transitions
Prepare for the Interview -- Prepare to
discuss your vision for the position
-- Learn on the go/refine the search
-- Keep applying/interviewing until.
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How To Manual for Career Transitions   Got
the position Now what?
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How To Manual for Career Transitions   Got
the position Now what? -- CELEBRATE!!
Plan
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How To Manual for Career Transitions   Got
the position Now what? -- CELEBRATE!!
Plan -- Reasonable expectations
What honeymoon? Get to know all the
players
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How To Manual for Career Transitions   Got
the position Now what? --CELEBRATE!!
Plan -- Reasonable expectations --
Work smart produce well
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How To Manual for Career Transitions   Got
the position Now what? --CELEBRATE!!
Plan -- Reasonable Expectations --
Work smart produce well -- Begin
preparation for NEXT career opportunities
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Research Scientist -- NIH/NSF
Administrator -- Dean of Research/Graduate
Study -- Chair (Dept. Biology, etc) --
Business entrepreneur -- Industry -- Parallel
move to another institution -- Educational
institution