Got something to say about starting or moving through a career in science? Here's your chance to let friends and colleagues know what's on your mind. Science Careers now offers a series of personal essays called "In Person," about education and career development -- in the broadest sense -- in the sciences and engineering.
Your essay can relate personal experiences that gave you special insights. Or, you can tell about a special person who had an impact on your career, or discuss a policy issue related to career planning, or come up with another topic related to scientific or engineering careers. Invitations from junior and senior scientists, policy makers and decision makers, are welcome.
Here are the guidelines
Your essay should be about 800 words long and personal in tone. Please send us your submission as an editable text document attachment to an e-mail message, addressed to snweditor@aaas.org (Subject: In Person submission); Microsoft Word format is preferred, but OpenOffice format is acceptable. Please do NOT include photographs or other attachments with the original submission.
We will give each manuscript we receive careful consideration, and contact you within 6 weeks if we decide to publish your essay. Most essays will be edited prior to publication. If you do not hear from us in 6 weeks, feel free to submit your work elsewhere.
The End of My Rainbow
03 April 2013
Rachel Ruhlen
After the blush of first love is gone, Rachel Ruhlen digs deep to find passion for her work.
06 March 2013
Charmaine Tam
Australian postdoc Charmaine Tam shares tips on how to make it through this early phase of a research career.
My Boss With Stephen Hawking Disease
11 January 2013
Rodica Stan
A protégé pays tribute to the humanity and resilience of immunologist Alan Houghton.
My Career, My Non-Academic Husband, and Me
17 August 2012
Aurélie Ambrosi
The implications of being in a mixed-career couple became apparent to biologist Aurélie Ambrosi as lifestyle differences appeared.
What Not to Do With Your Physics Degree
03 August 2012
Brooke Allen
A quantitative trader urges physics faculty not to send their students to Wall Street.
Family-Friendly Science Careers
18 May 2012
Tracy Ainsworth
We need to let young women know that it is possible to have a science career and a family.
Consulting for Career Enhancement
27 April 2012
Maximiliaan Schillebeeckx
Keryn Gold
Paul Lu
A group of grad students and postdocs has created a successful non-profit consulting group to improve their private-sector employment prospects.
Career GPS
16 March 2012
Evgenya L. Shkolnik
Alexandra Surcel
Anat Shahar
Hannah Jang-Condell
Our self-organized peer-mentoring groups changed our lives for the better.
At Summer Davos
04 November 2011
Madhur Anand
At a world summit, a young scientist recognizes the importance of engaging real-world problems and the wider community.
A Career in Biotech Patent Law
14 October 2011
William J. Simmons
A patent attorney and former immunologist examines his career transition and offers advice to scientists interested in a career in patent law.
On Shaky Ground
30 September 2011
Yassar Alamri
In the aftermath of an earthquake, a scientist ruminates on the uncertainties of working in science.
A Sabbatical in Namibia
26 August 2011
Lisa A. Levin, David M. Checkley
Following on our series on doing science in Namibia, two scientists describe their sabbatical experiences there.
How Not to Succeed In Academia
04 February 2011
Kathy Weston
A once-promising academic scientist tells how she ended up jumping out a window of the ivory tower before she was pushed.
Finding a Path from Oceanography to a Science Communication Career
15 October 2010
Roz Pidcock
Partway through her Ph.D., Roz Pidcock realized she wanted to talk and write about science, not do it herself.
How Our Adventures Led to Careers in Science.
03 September 2010
Kolby Jardine, Angela Jardine
Science and outdoor activities form a positive feedback loop for scientists Kolby and Angela Jardine.
Studying the Implications of New Medical Technologies
14 May 2010
Wendell Fortson
People with scientific training are needed to explore ethical and legal issues of science in the clinic.
A Dream Lab in Romania
11 December 2009
Tudor Luchian
For Romania, 1989 was a momentous year, but it wasn't until the mid-2000s that Tudor Luchian found the resources he needed to establish a cutting-edge lab there.
A Simpler Life
23 October 2009
Virginia Long
A recently rejected physics professor rediscovers the pleasures of carrots and carpentry as she ponders her future.
The Pursuit of Happiness
14 August 2009
Huda Akil
The joy of playing with her granddaughter tickles the neurons of a noted neuroscientist and inspires her research.
Breaking All the Rules
29 May 2009
Ruth Ley
Ruth Ley and Lars Angenent found that two-scientist couples don't have to compromise on independent research careers--but the path isn't always easy.
Eggheads and Cheeseheads
2 January 2009
Daniel M. Albert
After 30 years split evenly between the Ivy League and the Big Ten, a researcher and administrator reflects on the differences in institutional culture.
The Trick to a Rewarding Career
7 November 2008
Marc Hermann
Throughout his professional journey, Marc Hermann has always done "Exactly What He Always Wanted to Do"
Ich bin Postdoctorin in Berlin
3 October 2008
Vasana Maneeratana
A "small-town Florida gal" finds that the biggest challenges in moving abroad aren't always scientific.
A European Career Tour, From Research to Research Management
19 September 2008
Antonella Di Trapani
A science officer at the European Science Foundation describes her journey through careers and countries.
Peter Brown, Patent Attorney
12 September 2008
Peter Brown
A New Zealand Young Scientist of the Year awardee tells why he decided to move from the bench to the bar.
Research in France
4 July 2008
Andreas Bikfalvi
Understanding the peculiarities of the French public research system is critical to the success of foreign scientists coming into the country.
Frequent Flyer
29 February 2008
Anne McNeil
Faculty interviews can come with tight scheduling, awkward questions, and jet lag.
Finding Opportunities in a Dysfunctional Job Market
15 February 2008
Brooke Allen
If you want to find hidden value in the market for employment, you have to cast a wide net.
A Career Home Run
11 January 2008
Keith Woolner
A former software developer's hobby in baseball statistics landed him a job with a major league baseball team.
Hiring in a Dysfunctional Job Market
16 November 2007
Brooke Allen
A technical professional from the finance industry describes some innovative ways to uncover hidden talent.
The Ultralong-Distance Quest
2 November 2007
Lothar Hennighausen
In the first of a new series of personal perspectives, the author tells what a classic bicycle race taught him about scientific careers.
