Good advice for young researchers

Andrew Oswald gives us, "Things I would have found it useful to have been told when I was a young researcher".

Well worth reading the whole thing, but here is a good bit:


"The main difference between world-class researchers and sound researchers is not intellect; it is energy, single-mindedness, more energy, and the ability to withstand what will sometimes feel like never-ending disappointment, tiredness and psychological pain. Tenacity is almost everything."


I have found this, along with much of the rest of Andrew's piece, all too true.

Whatever you do, don't be yourself!

Great essay in Inside Higher Ed on how "just be yourself" is horrible advice for academics going out on the job market.

Immortal line: "Sorry Academics; you suck at interviewing".

Mrs. Angus and I very very much emphasize to our students that they absolutely should NOT be themselves and spend a month or two before the job market working with them to project a professional persona. We run them through multiple rounds of practice interviews and practice job talks.

We were lucky this year to each have an excellent student on the market, each of whom had a full dance card at the AEAs and now have multiple campus visits. In fact, both are out on campus interviews right now.

Hat tip to RKG.

Why Is This So Difficult?

Three suggestions about things you never say, or always say, or should say, to a potential mentor.

This week...THIS WEEK... I have gotten messages or had phone conversations that violated all three.

In particular, I suggested we meet at 10 am. Two different people wanting advice said, "No, that's too early for me. Can we do it some other time?"

Sure, we can do it during that time when I otherwise would have been writing you a pretty good letter of recommendation. Because now it is NOT going to be a good letter of recommendation.

Just read this. The guy has it right. And hopefully you are angling for being mentored by somebody WAY better than I am anyway, so it will actually matter!

Made in the World

Made in the World, brought to you by the WTO.

Watch the video. Yoda incarnate, with lots of odd lip smacking.

hot links

1. Pot, meet kettle. Mexico is building a fence to keep Guatemalans out! Greg Weeks knocks this one out of the park.

2. Where was she when she needed her? Megan McArdle counsels the NY times lady who lost her job.

3. I think I forgot to mention this earlier, but Kevin Durant had a pretty good summer.