How To Advance Your Career

Like a typical graduate, my expectation was to land a good job with good pay, get married and live happily ever after.

Well, it did not turn out that way. Every high paying job I applied for required an extra qualification.

Therefore, I had to settle for less. I got a teaching job, worked for a year, saved enough money to return to school.

During my masters program, I realized there weren’t plenty of options to choose from as an emerging anatomist.

I was convinced as such because most of the people in my field (suppose career path) were lecturers, almost as if we were condemned to the lecturing job. So I became frustrated

Amidst the whole frustration, I ensure I got the best out of my time in the masters program. One of the things I did during this period that helped to start my career as a Neuroscientist was attending a conference.

It was at this conference that I met a senior colleague, now my mentor, who guided me on how I started, sustained and advanced my career as a neuroscientist.

All these happened in 2014. And between 2014 and now (that's a period of 5 years) I have not only started my career, I have significantly advanced my career, traveled the world (still traveling), expanded my network, written several publications, won several grants and awards, and mentored other people on their career path.

And I'm not even a lecturer like I thought I was going to be

So, how did I go from being a clueless graduate to starting a career and ultimately advancing to this point?

I think the first thing for me was choosing a Mentor.

Someone who was already far ahead in my chosen field.

Dear participants, in whatever career path you have chosen, endeavour to find someone who can mentor. Yes, there are different kind of mentors but as far as our discussion here goes, the person has to be

1. Far more experienced than you in your chosen field
2. Accessible to you whenever you need him or her
3. Trustworthy, reputable and respected by other people in the field
4. Free-spirited, friendly, approachable
5. Some that cares about your growth

Your mentor must genuinely care about you and every aspect of your career wellbeing. Another thing that has helped me is attending conferences... Scientific, social, local, international,

For as long as I can afford it and I can free up time, I will attend

I try to attend at least two conferences a year and at each of these conferences, I make it a point of duty to present at least two papers.

This has enabled me to expand my network and enhance my research portfolio, and because making a paper presentation at conferences requires me to carry out research, write manuscripts and prepare powerpoint presentations; my writing and oration skills have significantly improved over the years. In fact, I have been able to win awards of best presentation at two different conferences

These meetings and conferences have also availed me the opportunity of meeting experts in my field who have picked interest in my research and me. This, in fact, was how I was able to land my research fellowship at the medical university of Vienna in Austria and become an ambassador to the international society for neurochemistry.

Two tips so far

• Mentoring
• Attending conferences

Another important tip:

You have to be deliberate

You career advancement has to be a conscious effort. It has to be something you really want.

You cannot afford to be passive about it. This mentality of being deliberate is what then pushes you to make the necessary sacrifices and put in the hard work.

To be honest, every new level in your career demands and new you that is better than the former you at the previous level. This is where the hard work and sacrifices come in

The late nights, the early mornings, And as you rise through the cadre, it won't get easier, but you'll only get tougher. If you decide to stay passive and contented, you just find yourself stuck, not growing, advancing or moving forward

So by my count, Be deliberate and Hardworking

There are tons of articles to read online about career advancement

My personal experience is what I have shared thus far

Also, the quality of people you surround yourself with and very importantly God Thanks for the opportunity Motivated Mankind.