Association for Women in Science-Southern Louisiana Chapter (AWIS-SL) Holds Virtual Career Roundtable Event
Lisa M. Harrison-Bernard, PhD; AWIS-SL President
Liz Simon, PhD; AWIS-SL Secretary
The AWIS-SL held an hour-long Virtual Career Roundtable Event in April, with 20 faculty,
fellows, and graduate students in attendance. The six breakout rooms covered the following
topics:
1. Family-Career Balance - Drs. Elizabeth Avegno, Tekeda Ferguson and Michael Salling
2. Getting a Postdoctoral Position/Non-Academic Careers - Drs. Danielle Levitt-Budnar
and Ciera Singleton
3. Negotiating in Academia - Drs. Nick Gilpin and Patricia Molina
4. Professionalism - Drs. Allison Augustus-Wallace and Lisa Harrison-Bernard
5. Tenure and Promotion - Drs. Carmen Canavier and Scott Edwards
6. Well-being during COVID-19 - Dr. Michelle Moore.
Attendees spent 20 minutes in each breakout room. There was equal enthusiasm and active participation in all the breakout sessions. The Non-Academic Careers session discussed the resources available and how to look for non-academic positions. Participant trainees learned how to look for such positions and how they could decide what track to follow. The tenure, promotion and negotiating in academia sessions discussed how to begin negotiations both early in career or later in an academic career; what the major barriers were in negotiating, especially for female candidates; whether research collaborations were favorably received for tenure, and the benefits of tenure vs. non-tenure positions in academia. Family-career balance was particularly relevant in this pandemic era especially for females who have children attending school. Discussions were held on how to prioritize one's career, especially balancing academic deadlines with family responsibilities. Trainees discussed why a postdoctoral position is necessary, what to consider for selection of a position and career trajectories for which a postdoctoral position may not be necessary. The professionalism session discussed strategies for handling difficult situations while maintaining integrity.