After some conversations with a trainee, I've recognized at least 7 "academic phenotypes" based on underlying core professional goals.
A thread, aimed primarily at junior researchers learning to navigate the academic world.
Take-home: know your phenotype, know your superiors'.
A thread, aimed primarily at junior researchers learning to navigate the academic world.
Take-home: know your phenotype, know your superiors'.
Phenotype -> core goal:
Politician -> power
Performer -> fame/pubs
Pragmatist -> things that work
Inquirer -> knowledge/insight
Idealist -> a better world
Epicurean -> pleasure/time off
Humanist -> relationship
We are all each of these to some extent. But more some than others.
Politician -> power
Performer -> fame/pubs
Pragmatist -> things that work
Inquirer -> knowledge/insight
Idealist -> a better world
Epicurean -> pleasure/time off
Humanist -> relationship
We are all each of these to some extent. But more some than others.
Step 1: Recognize your (actual & ideal) phenotype by asking yourself which goals you would sacrifice for others.
Ex.: would you delay promotion to achieve an ideal?
Be honest w yourself about which phenotypes you (a) are, (b) want to be.
(PS All phenotypes prioritize family.)
Ex.: would you delay promotion to achieve an ideal?
Be honest w yourself about which phenotypes you (a) are, (b) want to be.
(PS All phenotypes prioritize family.)
Step 2: Look at your mentors/bosses (real and potential), ask yourself what their phenotypes are.
You can get (imperfect) insight from a CV.
Dean -> politician
Prolific writer -> performer
Pet projects? -> idealist
Coding packages? -> pragmatist
Lots of trainees -> humanist
etc
You can get (imperfect) insight from a CV.
Dean -> politician
Prolific writer -> performer
Pet projects? -> idealist
Coding packages? -> pragmatist
Lots of trainees -> humanist
etc
Step 3: Align yourself with superiors who exemplify your ideal phenotypes.
Like it or not, you will take on some habits of your mentors/bosses. No mentor is perfect, but if you work closely w those who approach your ideal, you'll be a better person (and future mentor) for it.
Like it or not, you will take on some habits of your mentors/bosses. No mentor is perfect, but if you work closely w those who approach your ideal, you'll be a better person (and future mentor) for it.
Step 4: When Step 3 isn't possible, align yourself w/ superiors who share your real phenotypes.
You will work best with (and understand) those who share your values. Ex.: if you want to publish but your boss likes to take time off (or vice versa), you'll be frustrated.
You will work best with (and understand) those who share your values. Ex.: if you want to publish but your boss likes to take time off (or vice versa), you'll be frustrated.
Step 5: Interact w/ superiors as their phenotype, not yours.
If you must work w/ different phenotypes (and you must), recognize it. Ex: Don't interact w/ a politician hoping they will be your friend - you will be disappointed. Help them achieve power, and they will reward you.
If you must work w/ different phenotypes (and you must), recognize it. Ex: Don't interact w/ a politician hoping they will be your friend - you will be disappointed. Help them achieve power, and they will reward you.
Step 6: When you are a mentor yourself, recognize your trainees' phenotypes.
Help your trainees become who they want to be, not who you want them to be. Ex: if you are an inquirer but your trainee is a pragmatist, help them find "engineering" rather than "pure science" projects.
Help your trainees become who they want to be, not who you want them to be. Ex: if you are an inquirer but your trainee is a pragmatist, help them find "engineering" rather than "pure science" projects.
To summarize:
- Know your (real & ideal) phenotypes.
- Work w/ people who represent your ideal phenotypes 1st, real phenotypes 2nd.
- When working w/ people who are neither, treat them as who they are, not as who you want them to be.
- Model this when you are a mentor yourself.
- Know your (real & ideal) phenotypes.
- Work w/ people who represent your ideal phenotypes 1st, real phenotypes 2nd.
- When working w/ people who are neither, treat them as who they are, not as who you want them to be.
- Model this when you are a mentor yourself.