Month: September 2018

Natura Eclectica

DrAliceClement

Well look at that! My wonderful colleague and office buddy, Elen Shute, has started her very own blog called “Natura Eclectica” containing “First-hand Tales of Australian Natural History | Fossils, Wildlife & Conservation.”

Elen is a vertebrate palaeontologist like myself, and she loves birds in particular. However as she says, her “enthusiasm for natural history is infectious” so check out her site to read all about bones, fossils, living animals and adventures throughout the great outdoors.

Her first entry is a beautifully written piece called “Desert Reflections” with some equally spectacular photographs of her trip to the Simpson Desert in central Australia.

Do go and check it out and support a fellow Woman in STEM.

 

GSA Networking and Speed Mentoring Night

DrAliceClement

Last night I attended the Geological Society of Australia’s “networking and speed mentoring” evening held at the University of Adelaide. The event was an opportunity for undergraduate, honours, masters or PhD students to network with professional geoscientists working in industry, government or academia.

I was very honoured to be asked to give one of two presentations for the evening, along with Kelly Sharrad, an educator at Marden Senior College. I spoke about my education and career path and shared some of the positives and negatives about pursuing a career in academia. I finished off with my top tips for a career in academia (see below).

Following the presentations, students were given the opportunity for “speed mentoring”, where for five minutes at each table, students could chat to diverse geoscientists from universities, museums, petroleum, mining and exploration industries and government for advice about their chosen careers.

I thought it was a fantastic initiative and it gave me an opportunity to meet many keen students. Lastly, I would like to thank Morgan Blades, GSA SA-Division Secretary, for the invitation to be involved.

Alice’s top tips for a career in academia:

  • Find good mentors, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice
  • Be prepared to travel (if possible)
  • Contact people whose work you admire and who you want to work with
  • Be persistent (but don’t be a pest)
  • Develop a broad skill set (publish, outreach, field experience, teaching etc.)
  • Find your niche, and collaborate!

Image-1Alice and Kelly, speakers at the GSA-SA networking and speed-mentoring evening 2018.