APS Education List of Professional Skills for Physiologists and Tranees

Initially,career planning may be perceived as a skill solely for graduate students. However, scientists at all levels must engage in career planning. Opportunities can arise very unexpectedly and the successful physiologist is prepared to take advantage of them. A current example is entrepreneurial skills. Whereas once they were not viewed as important, for many of today's physiologists they are fundamental, critical to the success of their overall research or development program. Professional societies offer scientists an important venue for developing and honing many professional skills and for exploring possible avenues for career development. Professionals in all fields must afford time to career planning.

Major Skills		A Trainee will understand the importance of and work to develop.

A. Career planning		Periodic self-assessment of one's skills and interest Knowledge of diverse career options and current/future job markets Ability to investigate necessary skills/knowledge for particular careers Ability to adapt to a changing environment Willingness to examine, adapt, and adopt practices, methods, and ideas from perspectives very different from one's own Ability to identify and seek advice from a mentor(s) Understanding of expectations for current position and/or for job advancement

B. Interacting with professional societies

Understand the benefits of belonging to and participating in a professional society
Knowledge of appropriate societies to select for membership
Understanding how to get the most benefit from attending scientific meetings
Skill in presenting one's research
Knowledge of committees and selection process
Skill in doing editorial work (Reviewing manuscripts)
Ability to organize symposia/conferences

C. Entrepreneurial skills

Knowledge of intellectual property rights
Recognition and acknowledgment of potential conflicts of interest
Understanding of appropriate steps/procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest
Knowledge of patents process
Skills in negotiating

Items with blue highlight indicate skills that students would be more likely to develop after their graduate training.

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APS Education Office
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