Welcome to Name One Thing the interview series where I ask academics, researchers, postdocs, and other professionals what they wished they’d known in grad. school. This month’s guest is Dr. Jo Nyffeler, a toxicologist and research leader with an international perspective on completing graduate school and a post-doc. Plus, their top advice for recent graduates entering the workforce.
COMPUTATIONAL TOXICOLOGIST
Name: Dr. Jo Nyffeler
Degree: Ph.D., In Vitro Toxicology
Current role: Research group leader using high-throughput ecotoxicology to develop alternatives to animal testing.
Find them at: Linkedin
1) Name one thing you wish someone had told you when you were a graduate student.
You are giving your best and this is good enough. Your supervisor does not have the only truth. Mental health problems are normal. And, unfortunately, harassment during PhD studies is very common.
2) You’ve worked with, mentored, and managed recent graduates. Name one thing you wish more recent graduates would know or do when they enter the workforce.
Please stop sending me blind applications that are copy-paste and could fit into a 100 research labs! It will certainly not lead to a position for you. Rather take the time and write 10 tailored applications, in which you write why you like the research of that lab.
Along the same lines: I see a lot of CVs filled with a lot of vague language (“I made a positive impact on the project.”). Be specific about what you did (“I generated toxicity data for 100 chemicals, using method X, analyzed the data, and presented it to colleagues.”) We wanna hire people who have specific skills, can think creatively, and get the job done. You learn a lot of transferable skills in your PhD – show them!
3) You completed your doctorate in Germany and then a postdoc in the United States. Name one thing that surprised you about the difference in graduate school and/or postdoc training between the two countries.
The obvious difference is that in mainland Europe, you do a 3 (to 5) year PhD after having completed a Masters. There are nearly no classes, only research. But, I had the impression US students are more independent, have to make their own research plans and budget their money for the entire time. This was certainly not like this for me. It was much more guided, within quite tight lines. Therefore, I had to learn to be more independent after my PhD.
Thank you for sharing your experience and providing advice for recent graduates Dr. Nyffeler! The differences in approach to graduate school in Europe vs. the United States are very interesting and I can say from my work coaching graduate students that your advice for improving CVs is universal.
If you’re a recent graduate, whether an undergraduate or graduate student, help future employers hire you by making it clear how you are a good fit for the role you are applying for!
Wishing You All the Best in Your Academic Success.
–Dr. Cristie Glasheen, Your Graduate Student Success Coach.
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A.M., Postdoc, Atmospheric Science
Hi Cristie, I just wanted to let you know that I finished my presentation on time… one day ahead of schedule! That’s a first for me. Thank you for your help keeping me on track with our coaching sessions!
K.G., Ph.D. Public Health
Just got this in my email – [Dissertation] Approved with no restrictions! THANKS, COACH!
H.N., Masters in Public Health
Just want to appreciate the incredible Cristie and how wonderful of a mentor she is. I’d want to be your student and to learn from you over and over again! There’s absolutely no one half as good as you’re. Thank you for being a part of my journey. My heart is SO full now that I’m done with my degree and I reflect on the huge role that you played in making it true. What a gem!
A.S., Ph.D. Epidemiology
I don’t know how other people who are balancing work and family manage to finish their dissertations without a coach, but I am so glad [other client] told me about you. This was the best decision I could’ve made. I’m so thankful.
A.M., PhD Student, Economics
Successfully submitted my online [grant] application! It was an unknown journey for me, but what I now do know is that it was possible greatly thanks to you. So thank you so much!
I.M., Ph.D. in Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “It has been useful to look at problems from a different/more helpful perspective. I like that I have been able to work on my thesis sustainably without burning out, considering that I have a full-time job. I usually feel very motivated to work on my thesis after the meeting with Cristie, and having weekly meetings helps me be accountable and drastically reduce my procrastination. I also really appreciate the knowledge sharing of resources and the work smarter, not harder approach (e.g. AI suggestions, Andy Stapleton videos, Focusmate, programs that help with identifying duplicates, etc).”
G.G., Ph.D. Bioinformatics
I just wanted to let you know I successfully defended and will be graduating in a couple weeks!
Thank you again for all your help […]!
F.N., Ph.D. in Environmental Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “Breaking down tasks that overwhelm me. Navigating many difficult decisions that are crucial towards achieving my PhD. Getting feedback on my work. And tracking the work in progress which is often invisible.”
“I think Dr. Cristie does an amazing job. I have tried the free coaching provided by my institution and I would rather pay Dr. Cristie.”
S.C., Professional Development Coaching
It’s so very evident how much Dr. Cristie cares about my progress and successes. It gets me through the hard days knowing how much she is genuinely routing for me. She’s gone out of her way to be responsive and supportive and help me get past the blocks I kept running into. She really did help get me unstuck and now I’m staying that way.
M.H., Ph.D. Toxicology
Dr. Glasheen! I passed with barely any revisions requested of me. I am able to submit my dissertation tomorrow morning […]!
Thank you for all your help!
A.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
I PASSED [the oral comprehensive exams]. Thank you so so so so so much! I could not have done this without you! [redacted for privacy] I can’t believe it’s over […] The beginning of the end is finally here! I’m so happy!!!
Alex, Ph.D. Environmental Science
Having Cristie as a coach was one of the best investments I made in graduate school. Period. She was instrumental in helping me pass my comprehensive exam and finish my research proposal, all while giving me the tools to manage two other projects I was juggling at the time. Despite being laser-focused and results-driven in helping me achieve my academic outcomes, Cristie is also very human and reminded me that graduate school is more than just academics and that you have to make time for yourself and for fun stuff.
K.H., Doctor of Physical Therapy Student
It has been a crazy semester but it is going really well. Just finished 2 of my courses and feel really good about them. I feel like I have been able to use so much from working with you the last year to make this semester go amazing.
T.N., PhD. Evolutionary Biology
I’m a doctor!!! Wooo! The presentation went well […]. Thanks so much for all of your help getting to this point! I really appreciate it!
R.H., Admissions Coaching for Master’s Higher Education Admin
“Hi Dr. Cristie! (…)
I’m happy to report I got into all the programs I applied for!
- [Redacted] University: fully funded, plus $24,000 stipend & health care (…)
- University of [Redacted]: no scholarship offered, did not apply for GA positions.
- [Redacted] University: offered 50% tuition, GA position offered up to 66% tuition. (…)”
*Some content redacted for privacy.
A.S., Ph.D. Public Health
Finished! My dissertation was defended on 01-July and I am an official Ph.D.! What an incredible journey. I am so grateful for our interactions and still apply [your] lessons in life.
Interview Disclaimer
We aim to share diverse perspectives and experiences. The views, opinions, and experiences shared by our guests in this interview series are solely their own. Their participation is not an endorsement of our services, products, or views, nor does it imply an endorsement of their services, products, or views by us.
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