Expert Voices provides important perspectives for women and underrepresented minority science trainees on a wide range of questions about graduate and postdoctoral training, working in academic and other settings, and important skills to develop as a researcher and educator. The Questions & Answers PDF below provides answers from physiologists representing both genders, diverse racial/ethnic groups, and a range of background experiences. Sample questions include:
- What should you do if you suspect/feel you are being treated differently from the majority trainees in the lab, e.g., as hired help or a less-valued person in the leadership of the lab?
- What should a graduate student do if mentor tells her/him to try for “lesser” postdoc position or permanent position?
- How would you suggest trainees who have trouble dealing with critical comments on their science or writing learn to handle it better?
- Are there times when a trainee might have to challenge his/her mentor about why something was done or not done? What is the best way to do that?
- If English is not a trainee’s first language, is it important that they learn to write and speak more fluently in order to be successful as a scientist? If so, what is a good way to gain that knowledge or experience?
- How important is networking for trainees and scientists?
- How does a trainee find a balance between being confident and firm vs. being seen as aggressive?
- Is it perceived by others to be a sign of weakness if you ask them for help in reading a draft manuscript or listening to a practice talk or lecture?
- Is it important for minority trainees to have minority as well as majority mentors? If so, why?
- How does someone identify a good mentor?
- Does a trainee need more than one mentor?
- Do minority or female candidates tend to negotiate positions and hiring packages differently than majority candidates? If so, what are the pros and cons to their approaches?
- What should a scientist do if he/she thinks he/she is being overlooked for promotion opportunities or preferred committee assignments?
- Who is/are the best people to look to for support as a new investigator?
- What is the best way to deal with being the only minority or woman in a department or on a committee?