(1/12) Some tips for those starting their PhD:

1. There’s no such thing as a failed experiment. Most attempts to advance a project will be unsuccessful. The key is to find success by learning from every unsuccessful event

#chemtwitter #gradlife #AcademicChatter #PhD #scicomm https://twitter.com/sebahalali/status/1328395379537276928

(2/12) Perseverance is critical. The PhD is a degree that is to be earned, not granted for just doing the bare minimum. Anybody can reproduce what was already done. You have to be uncommon and push the limits. Prospective employers will always look to hire these types of people.

(3/12) 2. Always believe in yourself, and in your abilities. Grad school is a grind. Some days will be the highest of highs, some days just OK, and other days, the most crushing of lows. You must learn to deal with all of these emotions. You’ll see plenty of it after grad school.

(4/12) 3. Twitter can be a really toxic environment, where people continuously complain about what’s around them, but offer zero solutions. My suggestion is to avoid jumping into those conversations. Prospective employers will certainly look at your Twitter profile.

(5/12) If you are perceived as a chronic complainer, and/or someone that hates everything all of the time, you will hurt your chances of getting hired. Channel your energy toward positive people, positive events, and remember why you are in grad school to begin with.

(6/12) 4. Network as much as you can. It will be critical in finding a job. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Be able to tell someone about yourself and your research in 60 seconds...the elevator speech. Get business cards. Shyness will get you nowhere.

(7/12) 5. In anything you do, there will be naysayers trying to pull you down. It’s the “crab in the bucket” mentality. It runs rampant in many fields of research, often born out of jealousy. Do not let it steer you. You must ignore it, and stay focused on your work.

(8/12) Despite the craziness read on social media, most people are good, genuine, decent, honest, and are willing to help you. Channel your energy and enthusiasm toward people like this. It will be better for your mental health, and will make you a better researcher, in general.

(9/12) 6. Become a skilled public speaker. You will need this skill for the rest of your life after grad school to convey your research, results, and skills to others. I’ve been out of grad school for 13 years, and I still practice refining this skill while mowing the lawn

(10/12) 7. Your CV absolutely matters when looking for a job. You will be compared to other applicants when decisions are made about whether or not you get an interview. I believe those saying otherwise are giving bad advice. Work to build a good CV with solid accomplishments.

(11/12) 8. There will come a day, when you finish grad school and become established, when you will have the chance to help others in the same manner that others helped you. Remember your grad school years in this regard, and help the next generation of folks out when you can.

(12/12) 9. For those that may find it helpful, below is my job search experience. I was as honest as could be when describing it. I hope that it will help you in the years ahead. Good luck to all in your studies. I personally enjoyed grad school very much.
http://openflask.blogspot.com/2020/05/guest-post-my-job-search-experience.html?m=1