Graduate school can certainly be an emotional roller-coaster. There are the highs when experimental results prove the hypothesis, the loops when experimental results are unexpected and could possibly signify a more interesting phenomenon, and there are the lows when things just plain don't work. Much like the graduate school experience, applying for jobs can leave one feeling as though they unwittingly boarded a roller-coaster. One nice thing is that the job-acquisition roller coaster usually doesn't take 5-6 years (phew!). One not-so-nice thing is that the lows, like not getting (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd) the interview, often feel like a personal rejection. I think this is where all that mental toughness we develop during graduate school is really important.

In a previous article, I mentioned how excited I was about management consulting; how I glamorized the field, and then didn't get very far (see Explorations in the Business of Science). I took those initial rejections very personally, which caused me some problems. Mostly, these feelings diminished my confidence and faith that I would find a position that I enjoyed. Those old fears of having trapped myself with a Ph.D. reappeared and, quite frankly, made me miserable for a while. I found some solace in economics and statistics: the nation's economy was struggling then and hence there were many more applicants than positions available. What was most helpful, however, was to decide that I would not internalize the responses to my applications. I was reminded by some close friends that life is 10% what happens and 90% how we react to it. As cliché as it is, there is truth there. I simply made the choice to react differently. Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite that simple, but I did strive to have a healthy reaction to rejection!

After the graduate school roller-coaster, we have a shiny new Ph.D. and everyone calling us "Dr." What a great feeling! After the job search roller-coaster we have a job offer. Um...now what? Another adjustment I had to make was being comfortable engaging in negotiations. As a scientist, things either are or are not and that's the end of it. In negotiations for the terms of a position (namely, salary and benefits), anything is possible. I had never before thought about what a Ph.D. was worth in financial terms – I was too busy trying to get one. However, I found lots of online and paperback resources to help with this sort of determination, and I recommend them. It is really important to know what other people with your background are making in positions similar to what you'll do. Asking for amount, if it's not already offered, is tricky and my only advice is to be fearless. I was terrified that I'd ask for more money and then have the position revoked. Apparently that almost never happens, and I learned that those who hire you will expect to go back and forth a bit over the terms, either salary or vacation or benefits or retirement plans or whatever. So, ask for what you believe you're worth. Hiring managers are expecting it and you might just get it!

I've been on two roller-coasters so far: graduate school and finding a job. Now, I think the next one will have something to do with career progression and/or any major career changes I make. I'm in line for that roller-coaster (to carry on the metaphor), feeling the nervous anticipation, hearing the happy screams of those already on it, knowing I'll have a great time. Whatever happens, I believe that the last two roller-coaster experiences have equipped me with mental toughness and perspective such that I'll be stronger facing the lows on the next one. I wish you the best throughout your search and planning for life after graduate school, and hope that my experiences can be helpful to you as you go along. Strap in, and enjoy the ride!