Author: Charlene Milliken
Charlene
Milliken
From Archaeology to Science and Technology Policy: Making the Leap from Academia to the Real World
Does this sound familiar?: After several years, the end is finally in sight. The Ph.D. is practically in your hand! But you want to quit. Why? Because you’re sick of academia. You don’t want a career in teaching, you’re burnt out doing research, or you feel like you’r...
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Charlene
Milliken
The Job Interview: Why Don’t They Choose Me?
Since it’s on my mind now, I’d like to talk about the job interview. It’s taken me a long time to come to a few realizations about job interviews. I’ve been on a lot of interviews over the decades, but I know there are still a lot of things I need to learn (and practice). N...
Charlene
Milliken
Did I Just Waste All Those Years in Graduate School?!
I’ve asked myself this question a lot over the past couple of years. I spent years in graduate school, focused on becoming an expert in a subject matter that I was passionate about…only to leave it behind as soon as my Ph.D. was in hand. Did I just waste 8-1/2 years of my life?! &nbs...
Charlene
Milliken
Travelling A Lot for Work Isn’t Really That Glamorous!
I travel a lot for work. When I interviewed for my current job, I was informed that there would be a lot of travel. “How much?” I asked. “A couple times a month or so. It depends,” they said. I love travelling! Awesome! But what’s the reality...
Charlene
Milliken
Pitfalls of Going from Academia into the Federal Government and How to Deal with Them, Part 1
A career in the federal government can be rewarding and interesting. However, if you’re considering a career in the federal government, here are a few tips to keep in mind. They’re broad generalizations, but you’ll most likely run into at least one of them. Knowing these thin...
Charlene
Milliken
The Major Pitfalls of Going into the Federal Government from Academia, Part 2
I knew before I graduated with my Ph.D. that I would not be pursuing a career in academia. When I received an AAAS fellowship and was placed in the Science & Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I was thrilled…mainly because I got the AAAS fellowship, but ...
Charlene
Milliken
The Uninvited Guest Syndrome
Over the past several years, the federal government has been moving toward greater collaboration within and between federal programs, departments and agencies as well as with those outside of government from industry, the private sector, academia and nonprofit organizations.
Charlene
Milliken
Should You Become Friends With Your Boss?
No, you should not. And when I say that, I mean friends, not friendly. Okay, I know there are people out there who are friends with their bosses, but I think, for the most part, it’s best to have a friendly relationship with your boss but not a true friendship.
