Please allow me to introduce myself

Hello Everyone, I am delighted to announce the beginning of my new endeavour EduKatedSTEM.  So where should I start?  I am British (hence the spelling!) so all my degrees where attained at universities in the UK.  My undergraduate degree course was “applied” which meant I had a year outside school performing a scientific role.  I came to the USA and worked as a research technician in a cancer research laboratory.  It really opened my eyes to what my future could be and without that year my path could have been very different.

I got my doctorate from a good university and was fortunate enough to be placed at a Medical Research Council institute (the equivalent of the NIH) with a renowned PI.  I really enjoyed my time there and my mentor was incredibly experienced and seemed to know intuitively when I was ready for independence and more responsibility.  I then proceeded through two postdoctoral positions within the UK, at the best research institutions, for some exceptional PI’s and broadened my experimental skills set. 

I then moved to California, it is a place I never dreamt I would live but it has given me unexpected opportunities.  Even though at times I feel like a fish out of water, I’ve had novel experiences and participated in groups which I had never previously heard of.  I was the Chair of the Postdoctoral Association for my institution, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Postdoctoral Association, and a member of the Association for Women in Science. 

I was given the opportunity to step away from the bench and into administration. This was a rather daunting step but I discovered a few things about myself. I really enjoy helping others on their career path whether they were a summer intern, graduate student or postdoc. I enjoy using my research skills to investigate and learn new topics; I was certainly the only scientist in the room during my Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory training, however being able to use these assessments has brought clarity to many individuals.  I would be honoured to be a part of your journey and use these tools, amongst others, to give you the confidence to make an informed career move.

Whether you wish to climb the ivory tower or discover alternative uses for the amazing skills you have, this site is for you.  Through informational interviews with those on the academic path and others who have stepped off and are now discovering their own unique path, it is my wish to provide you with options.  I will then provide some advice for each of the routes. Your career doesn’t have to define you but it may have a huge impact on how you experience things.  What do I mean?  Let’s have a conversation to find out.

To watch me say a personal welcome and introduce myself and EduKatedSTEM: https://youtu.be/WHoXE_VhuJ0