Author: Kate Sleeth
Kate
Sleeth
Getting Involved
One of my mentors once told me, that to be a productive scientist, the key was to avoid any participation in committees and organizations. This individual is a well respected scientist and a leader in their field so I listened although I fundamentally disagree with this idea. How ar...
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Kate
Sleeth
Do you have a Sponsor?
I am wondering how many people know the difference between a mentor and a sponsor? I am sure everyone has heard of mentors, but have you heard of a sponsor (and this isn’t someone who is trying to raise money for a deserving charity!)? My description of a mentor is someone who teaches ...
Kate
Sleeth
Changing Your Name Part 2
A few months ago, I wrote a blog on “Changing Your Name,” and I have been having discussions about this subject ever since! The odd thing was that, while people considered the issues with identity crisis and confusion over the name change, no-one really considered the amount of effort that...
Kate
Sleeth
Do What you Love, Love What You Do!
A few weeks ago, I went to a national conference for a new association which I am now a member of. As usual, there was a “newbies” information session which introduces you to the association, their leadership, and hopefully other new individuals who are probably feeling as nervous as you a...
Kate
Sleeth
Bite Off More Than You Think You Can Chew!
A couple of months ago we decided to put a submission in for an NIH grant. No big deal, I hear you all say. Well, we had decided so late that we only have 17 days to do it! I was the main writer for the project, and so it fell to me to do some major blue skies, thinking about what w...
Kate
Sleeth
Changing your Name
Today, I want to discuss something that I think half the population (at least) will never have considered. The other half will probably think about it at some point in their lives. For some, it is an easy decision, while for others (and that includes myself), it is problematic. I a...
Kate
Sleeth
Taking Things Personally
Today I am going to broach a subject which is really quite tricky, and as scientists I am not sure that we are really trained or prepared to do it. My subject today is that we should not take things personally. I know that we have all defended hypotheses in either public or private setti...
Kate
Sleeth
Taking Responsibility
When you saw the title of my post, did you immediately think of negative connotations? Taking responsibility for mistakes is what usually comes to mind. However, I like to think of all the positive outcomes instead. If you become the lead on a project, it is natural to then take on the r...
Kate
Sleeth
What is your Worth?
I haven’t been on Twitter a lot recently, but imagine my surprise when I glanced at my news feed and saw all the scientific bloggers I follow, talking about the same subject. This is unheard of, and they were all very unhappy. They even had a hashtag specifically for it #istandwithDNLe...
Kate
Sleeth
Fake it Until You Make It!
I would like to share with you some key advice which really helped me before. The first time I heard this phrase, or at least actually took note of it, was a few hours before I gave a presentation. I was (as those of you who follow my blog will be familiar with) a little nervous, to say ...
