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Being a scientist – and having a life too http://boscoanthony.com/balance‐in‐business‐balance‐in‐life/
Rebecca Haacker
2015 AGU Student and Early Career Scientist Conference University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
So – what do you do?
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
Mentoring and research experiences Study workforce trends in academia, government and private sector
Resources & training for students & faculty NCAR
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Today’s Reality
The new Night Shift, in academia and high tech jobs (8‐11pm)1
Workers in the U.S. now log the longest hours per year (more than Germans or Japanese)2 Work life balance impacts employee retention rates, individual and team performance and morale, # of sick days and health care costs
1Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development
2Stone in Bloomberg Business Week, August 07, 2014 NCAR
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http://blog.pexcard.com/business‐tips/tips‐to‐improve‐worklife‐balance/
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Academics experience higher stress than those in the wider population
Growing stress levels among academics
More working days are now lost to the mental health problems than any other health issue1
Poor work‐life balance as a key factor:
–
heavy workloads, a long hours culture and conflicting management demands2
http://vistapsych.com
Reduced job satisfaction, loss of creativity, increased cynicism2
1Shaw, C., Ward, L., Dark thoughts: why mental illness is on the rise in academia. The Guardian, 6 March 2014
2Kinman, G., Wray, S, 2013” A survey of stress and well‐being among staff in higher education. UCU.
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The Duck Syndrome http://miku.deviantart.com/art/duck‐on‐water‐41767755
http://christineperkett.com/2013/09/03/be‐a‐duck‐on‐water/
Scelfo, J.: Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection. NY Times. July 27, 2015
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“We’ve never seen a phenomenon like it in our thirty years of publishing”.
Lesley O’Mara, UK publisher
Responses from employers
Work life balance taken seriously
No longer a ‘women's issue’
Employers have adopted system approaches: policies, benefits, procedures.
NSF's Career‐Life Balance (CLB) Initiative:
Graduate Research Fellowships, CAREER grants, Postdoc Investigators can request CLB supplemental funding http://www.nsf.gov/career‐life‐balance/
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What is right for you?
Levels of personal fulfillment and professional success that are right for you
Take stock of the context in which you are living and working. Identify your your values and priorities.
http://teresawarner.com
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Wheel of Life
SOARS 2015
Research & Writing Finances
Family & Friends
Spirituality & community
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Health & Fitness
Passion for what
I am doing
Professional networking
Career / Grad school planning
Find balance at work
http://maikelbailey.com
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The Sunday Meeting
To-do-list
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Fix data set
Writing
Writing
Writing
Writing
Writing
Office hours
Selection
committee
Class
Student club
Class
Media interview
NSF panel
Faculty meeting
Recycling club
Organize books
Zumba
Office hours
Selection committee
Class
Watch Billy
Watch Billy
Meeting with John
Watch Billy
Date night
Watch Billy
Date night
Class
Fix data set for my next research paper
Media interview
Class
Class
Meeting with the new dean
Gym
Date night
Kerry Ann Rockquemore
https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/surviving/fall2
For the tasks that don’t fit:
To-do-list
Fix data set
Selection committee
Student club
Lower your standards (noncritical tasks)
Renegotiate deadlines
Let some things go
Media interview
NSF panel
Recycling club
Organize books
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Learn to say no
Avoid saying yes on the spot
Estimate how long a task really takes
Consult your calendar
Consider reasons for saying yes
http://libroediting.com/2013/11/11/when‐should‐i‐say‐no/
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Say NO in any of the following ways:
That sounds like a really great opportunity, but I just can't take on any additional commitments at this time.
I am in the middle of _________ and ____________, I'm unable to take on any additional projects/service.
I'm not the best person for this, why don't you ask ______________.
No [look the asker in the eye and sit in silence].
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Protecting your time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Writing
Writing
Writing
Writing
Writing
Office hours
Class
Class
Faculty meeting
Zumba
Office hours
Selection committee
Class
Watch Billy
Watch Billy
Meeting with John
Watch Billy
Date night
Watch Billy
Date night
Class
Fix data set for my next research paper
Media interview
Class
Class
Meeting with the new dean
Gym
Date night
Kerry Ann Rockquemore
https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/surviving/fall2
Guilt‐free work life boundaries
Decide not to be available 24/7
Stop responding to emails after a certain hour
Schedule breaks and holidays
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Making changes
What are you changing? Who will hold you accountable?
When can you start?
What is your reward?
http://wenatchee.org/
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References
Asberg, S.: The Happy PhD Zone: How To Maintain A Work‐Life Balance In Academia. The Next Scientist.com
AWIS, 2012: THE WORK LIFE INTEGRATION OVERLOAD: THOUSANDS OF SCIENTISTS WEIGH IN ON OUTMODED WORK ENVIRONMENTS, UNFRIENDLY FAMILY POLICIES. Bird, J.: Work‐life balance. Doing it right and avoiding the pitfalls. Worklifebalance.com. Accessed 12/02/15
Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC). The balanced researcher. www.crac.org.uk
Dovey, D.; The Therapeutic Science Of Adult Coloring Books: How This Childhood Pastime Helps Adults Relieve Stress. The Medical Daily. Oct 8, 2015
Kinman, G., Wray, S, 2013” A survey of stress and well‐being among staff in higher education. UCU
Rockquemore, K.A.: Just Say No. Chronicle of Higher Education. September 27, 2010 Scelfo, J.: Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection. NY Times. July 27, 2015 Shaw, C., Ward, L., Dark thoughts: why mental illness is on the rise in academia. The Guardian, 6 March 2014
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