socializing in science
Hello world! It's been awhile - about 4 months, to be exact.
life updates
If you're wondering where I've been, the last few months have been a transition period - I spent the rest of my summer job hunting, and then I moved out of NYC after receiving my degree in October. I'm still on the hunt for a full-time job, but in the meantime I've been staying busy with a few part-time jobs - being idle doesn't personally do me much good. These involve some tutoring as well as some jobs completely unrelated to science. I won't speak too much about them, but they've gone a long way in keeping life interesting after leaving NYC!
let's talk social
Today, I wanted to chat a little about socializing skills and what I learned about their importance during my PhD and working in general.
One of the most common stereotypes with scientists is that we are a bunch of socially-inept people who are incredibly self-centered, perhaps egotistical, but always more driven by experimental results than ethics or emotions. That's certainly a stereotype for a reason, but I recall quite a few of my classmates believing that the only thing that matters in the lab is your scientific acumen, and everything else will come second and perhaps bend to your will. I can't emphasize enough how demonstrably untrue that is.
Even if you work alone on your project in the lab, there will undoubtedly come a time when you must work with another person. That could be anything - like coordinating with the animal facility, getting advice from a collaborator or colleague, or just your updates with your PI. Many people I've talked to in labs over the years think there is no value in making small talk or even being respectful, and find any pleasantries or efforts to get to know someone to be a "waste of time". I don't think it's any secret that having a friendly chat is more pleasant than an unfriendly one. I for one think that having people you get along with at work to be an integral part of maintaining a positive work environment and a desire to go to your workplace to perform well each day.
But, you might still find this pointless. So, let me put this another way that is immediately useful to you (albeit very straight to the point).
Humans are social creatures. Cultivating good relationships with your colleagues will benefit you in the short term and the long term because it makes it easier to get what you need or to get to where you want to be.
It is MUCH easier to ask labmates to generously lend their reagents, time, or advice if they're friendly with you. It is MUCH easier for someone to write you a letter of recommendation that sounds genuine if they know more about you. It is MUCH easier to get over some bad experiments if your labmates jump at the chance to take you out for drinks. It is MUCH easier to maintain a positive relationship with someone like your PI if they care about you as a person, and not just someone who pumps out data for them. You get the point.
Yes, some of these are best-case scenarios, but they all rely on one thing - that you care for a positive relationship with the people you work with. I think this helps when you even get into interviewing or adjusting to new workplaces. I mean, why would an interviewer want to talk to someone who doesn't make it past the HR screen (famously called a vibe check)? Or, if you make yourself enemy number 1 in your new work environment, office politics (they exist and matter!) could make it so that you're the first to be let go.
So, long story short, don't let the "antisocial acerbic scientist" stereotype dictate how you value relationships with your peers and coworkers in your own life! Nowhere was that made more obvious than during my PhD, where you're around the lab long enough that you see colleagues and their dynamics come and go.
Happy science-ing! Hopefully my next update is a little more exciting on the job front. :)