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Loved the @PIE_Entsoc speed networking event at #EntSoc20 yesterday, organized by @LJ_nixon19 and @nick_larsonnrl. I have seen a few people highlight some of the common questions they got during the event, and want to do the same. Mine focus on the #USDA and #storedproducts.
A common question I got was 1) do you like working for the #USDA and why?
The answer is unequivocally yes, and here's why...
#EntSoc20
The answer is unequivocally yes, and here's why...
#EntSoc20
1) cont'd
Base government funding guarantees at least a certain amount of money to my lab every year for research and travel, and I have been provided with a permanent, MS-level technician to support continuity of research.
#EntSoc20
Base government funding guarantees at least a certain amount of money to my lab every year for research and travel, and I have been provided with a permanent, MS-level technician to support continuity of research.
#EntSoc20
1) cont'd
I am able to perform important research informed by stakeholder input and with clear applications to society, while not having my attention constantly split among teaching/outreach/extension. I do those things when I choose, but get to focus on research!
#EntSoc20
I am able to perform important research informed by stakeholder input and with clear applications to society, while not having my attention constantly split among teaching/outreach/extension. I do those things when I choose, but get to focus on research!
#EntSoc20
1) cont'd
The tradeoff is increased paperwork, and that I have to work in stored products. BUT--every job has its disadvantages, so you must decide which you can bear. AND, I still have broad leeway to ask questions I am interested in on chemical ecology, behavior etc.
#EntSoc20
The tradeoff is increased paperwork, and that I have to work in stored products. BUT--every job has its disadvantages, so you must decide which you can bear. AND, I still have broad leeway to ask questions I am interested in on chemical ecology, behavior etc.
#EntSoc20
1) cont'd
Finally, because my location is near @KSUEntomology, and I have such great collaborators there, my role as a graduate adjunct faculty member allows me to co-advise and mentor students, while also experiencing the cultural enrichment of being near a university
#EntSoc20
Finally, because my location is near @KSUEntomology, and I have such great collaborators there, my role as a graduate adjunct faculty member allows me to co-advise and mentor students, while also experiencing the cultural enrichment of being near a university
#EntSoc20
Second question, 2) what's a misconception that people have about #government scientists?
A common one I have encountered is that "gov't scientists are not productive, lazy, or not as impactful as professors at university". This is simply not true, and here's why...
#EntSoc20
A common one I have encountered is that "gov't scientists are not productive, lazy, or not as impactful as professors at university". This is simply not true, and here's why...
#EntSoc20
2) cont'd
In my lab, I currently have four Ph.D. students, a permanent MS tech, and five undergraduate technicians. This past year, we collectively published 18 peer-reviewed MS, obtained >$1.6 million in extramural funding, >50 planned talks, etc.
#EntSoc20
In my lab, I currently have four Ph.D. students, a permanent MS tech, and five undergraduate technicians. This past year, we collectively published 18 peer-reviewed MS, obtained >$1.6 million in extramural funding, >50 planned talks, etc.
#EntSoc20
2) cont'd
I am not the only one who is productive. Highly productive labs abound at @USDA_ARS, including @BMSBresearch, @Phytoseiid, Jian Duan, and David Shapiro-Ilyan, just to name a handful--and there are many others out there.
#EntSoc20
I am not the only one who is productive. Highly productive labs abound at @USDA_ARS, including @BMSBresearch, @Phytoseiid, Jian Duan, and David Shapiro-Ilyan, just to name a handful--and there are many others out there.
#EntSoc20
Finally, 3) you went from #veggies--> #fruit-->stored products. How easy were the transitions between each, and did you know anything about stored products prior to your current position?
#EntSoc20
#EntSoc20
3) cont'd
The short answer is I did chemical ecology, #behavior, and #IPM in each of these commodities. And, once you have the basics of these down in one commodity, it's pretty easy to apply what you know to a new system.
#EntSoc20
The short answer is I did chemical ecology, #behavior, and #IPM in each of these commodities. And, once you have the basics of these down in one commodity, it's pretty easy to apply what you know to a new system.
#EntSoc20
3) cont'd
I had no prior knowledge of stored products, but I was able to apply what I knew from other systems to my new system. Changing between systems will only demonstrate to future employers that you are adaptable and can take on any challenge.
#EntSoc20
I had no prior knowledge of stored products, but I was able to apply what I knew from other systems to my new system. Changing between systems will only demonstrate to future employers that you are adaptable and can take on any challenge.
#EntSoc20
Be sure to check out @Phytoseiid discussion of her common questions from the speed networking event related to the #USDA, here: https://twitter.com/Phytoseiid/status/1327393557183746049?s=20
#EntSoc20
#EntSoc20
