Transferrable Skills in Academic Environments Sharon L Milgram

Transferrable Skills in Academic Environments Sharon L. Milgram, Director NIH OITE

My Career Path § Three different jobs q Physical Therapist, Welkind Rehabilitation Hospital (1984 – 1986) q Faculty, UNC-CH (1994 – 2007) q Director, NIH OITE (2007 – present) § All using similar skills, but to varying degrees and in very different ways q Analytical and problem-solving q Interpersonal q Communication § Each transition was difficult in the same ways q Was I certain I wanted the job? q Could I let go of what I already had? q Was I “good enough” to get the job, keep the job, and thrive in the job?

Elements of A Job Search Job Placement Job Searching Gain Credentials Try it ‘on’ Knowing Self Knowing Options

Elements of A Successful Career New Position Promotion New Job Search Modify Responsibilities Take on New Roles Knowing Self Knowing Opportunities

Playing To Our Strengths n We all want to go to work and shine q Important to define skills as specifically as possible q Important to define developmental needs to work around them n For career transitions, it is often important to examine your transferrable skills q Skills you have acquired during any activity in your life that are applicable to what you want to do in your next job q Any activity means at home, in the community or at work

Major Categories of Transferrable Skills n n n Communication Analytical and problem solving Human relations and teamwork Organizational management and leadership Work ethic and approach

Useful Activities n In peer review q Study section q Editorial board position n Scientific leadership q Organize a scientific meeting q Role in professional society n Campus life q Curriculum development q Graduate studies committee q Training grant director q Campus-wide committees n Community life q Plan community-wide events q Leadership role on town/city council, schools, library, etc

Developing Networks n n Read Networking for People Who Hate To Network Have a set of standard questions you might ask Know what you will say when asked “what do you do? ” Find people doing what you are considering doing and reach out to them for an informational interview q A unique form of networking designed to collect information about a job, career field, industry, or company. q Useful before and during career transitions

Some Reflections on My Transition n Mentors played an important role in helping me decide n n when and what Informational interviews expanded my view of the opportunities available The decision challenged deeply held beliefs about who I was and what I wanted to be Work in the community with non-scientists helped me develop a different set of skills I wish I had taken more leadership and management training earlier in my career

Keep In Touch n n Connect with me on Linked-In (no Facebook please) Join the NIH Intramural Science Linked-In group Read the OITE Careers blog Email me anytime at milgrams@od. nih. gov