Blogs by Richard Huysmans
If you’re like me, then COVID-19 has begun to impact your work, family, and social life in so many ways. From budget cuts due to low student numbers; to long lines at the supermarket for groceries; to hording toilet paper just in case; to longer school holidays; and of course working from home.
So, you’re working from home. Good on you for taking the leap! It will be a fantastic thing. Trust me, I’ve been doing it since 2008. But there are some things people should know that will make work, and home life easier.
If you have not already, you will probably get two weeks hiatus in the coming days. For most, this will be in response to COVID-19. Across the world, organisations, countries, cities, and states are encouraging or enforcing two weeks of isolation as a way to reduce the impact of this virus.
Another 13 things that help someone make the transition from academia to outside work. They aren’t in any order. Just listed and described as they popped into my head.
How well do you know your graduating cohort? The other week I was asked to deliver a talk about using social media to help translate research into practice. The invite came from a Monash University alumna, who also happens to be a family member. In the audience were other Monash University alumna who were also […]
Thirty-eight things that help someone make the transition from academia to outside work. They aren’t in any order. Just listed, and described as they popped into my head.
Starting a PhD is a big decision. And there are lots of choices to make. What university? What topic? What group? Not to mention your supervisor. Then of course there are the practicalities of life such as work, where you live, and who you live with.
Universities and research are going through a tough time at the moment. Researchers/scientists are seen as less and less relevant – think climate change, vaccines, genetically modified crops, medicinal marijuana. Employment as an academic researcher has lost its shine. Degrees are being devalued. And graduates are wondering if it is all worth it.
As researchers you have likely learnt, relearnt, unlearnt, and subsequently performed many tasks, experiments, and activities. Yet, have you ever stopped to ask why? Or to question if you are the most appropriate person to undertake that particular task?
Growing up, my next door neighbour was into gardening. He kept a huge vegetable garden covering half their backyard. Back in those days blocks were a quarter and houses we covered less than a quarter of that. I was reminded of his gardening exploits when I recently shared the same excitement that he did – […]