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Taking charge of your career. Anne Condon, Mary Lou Soffa Department of Computer Science University of British Columbia University of Virginia. My career trajectory. PhD, University of Washington, 1987, research in complexity theory
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Taking charge of your career Anne Condon, Mary Lou Soffa Department of Computer Science University of British Columbia University of Virginia
My career trajectory • PhD, University of Washington, 1987, research in complexity theory • Assistant, Associate, Full, professor, University of Wisconsin (87-99) • Full professor, University of British Columbia (99-present) • NSERC Chair for Women (04-09) • Associate Head for Faculty Affairs
What changes after tenure? • more confidence, motivation, energy • more opportunities • more distractions
Taking charge: research • "If you want to make important discoveries, work on important problems" - P.B. Medewar. • … how do you know what’s important? • you are passionate about the problem • others care about the problem • you understand the relevance of the topic • you have a path towards solving the problem • you can measure your progress
Taking charge: research • strategies • set long-term goals • have a broad research topic • take small steps • take on new topics when old ones get stale, or new opportunities arise
Taking charge: research • strategies • have great collaborators • be a great collaborator • ask for advice
Taking charge: research • strategies • have really polished research talks and papers
Things to watch out for • balancing work towards your own research vision and that of others • juggling research service demands • managing expanding administrative responsibilities • handling major setbacks… they can be managed
Taking charge: service • "If you want to make important contributions, work on important problems" - P.B. Medewar (adapted) • … how do you know what’s important? • you are passionate about the problem • others care about the problem • you have a path towards solving the problem • you can measure your progress
Taking charge: service • work with great people • find synergy between different activities • be ready to deliver your message to the right people
Taking charge: service • be fair when making decisions • listen to others • support others • give clear feedback
Taking charge: service • learn your weaknesses • ask for advice • pace yourself
In closing… • think about the number of hours you will spend between now and the end of your career… use them wisely! • remember that we are all here to help each other