There are 5 weeks in May, so you know what that means – double blog month! Here’s part one!
SONG INSPIRATION
This month’s first blog is inspired by Teena Marie’s, Square Biz.
WRAPPING UP SPRING SEMESTER
The end of the semester is less than 2 weeks away. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Life altering decisions. A phenomenal total solar eclipse. Amazing professional opportunities. And, of course, awesome students who make the entire pursuit worthwhile. I feel an edge of weariness (although nothing compared to last fall) and I’m anxious to lie on a beach for a week and recharge. However, I’m also anxious to have some clarity on my career. For reasons I’ll discuss in the subsequent sections, this has been a tremendous semester of personal and professional growth. A perfect setup for – what I hope – a restorative and productive summer.
LEARNING TO ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF
This job cycle has forced me to flex one of my least developed muscles – self-advocacy. Minoritized individuals have a tendency to advocate for themselves less than their privileged counterparts. It’s been a lifelong struggle for me to accept praise let alone fight for myself. If anything, I’m usually super appreciative for the scraps I receive. Of course, this has made me vulnerable to manipulation in the past in a variety of ways. However, now that I’m an early career researcher attempting to establish myself at an institution for the foreseeable future AND build a stable personal life, I have to stand up for myself. I have to know my worth (and add tax) and articulate what I want and need to thrive. It ain’t easy, but growth rarely comes with ease.
I FINALLY FEEL (KINDA) LIKE A SCIENTIST
Last year I collaborated with a team of amazing planetary scientists to submit a proposal for an external grant. Last week, I found out we were selected for funding. Until now, external grants have always been a looming beast on the horizon. A necessary slay in order to get to the next level of the academic game. Teaching, mentoring, and publishing peer reviewed literature has helped contribute to my sense of belonging as an academic. But external grants – that was next level. And now – finally – I feel somewhat like a planetary scientist. I feel like I can (sorta) envision my future research program and my pathway to tenure. Even better, I can visualize future grants and collaborators. It’s equal parts intimidating, overwhelming, and exhilarating. The timing is serendipitous as I’ve started articulating startup requests for my next position. That said, in being mindful, I’ve taken the last few days to sit in the joy of the accomplishment.
CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS
Recently finished books: Ringworld
Currently reading: A Modern History of Japan; The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; The Housekeeper and the Professor
Recently finished shows: Echo; Fool Me Once; High Water; Killing Eve (s4); Star Wars: Clone Wars (s2); The Morning Show (s2); Zom100: Bucket List of the Dead
Currently watching: Bodies; The Boys (s3); Star Wars: Clone Wars (s3)
Thank you for reading! As always, feel free to suggest future topics. Part two of May’s double blog bonus is scheduled for Thursday, May 30th. Until next time….
The Planetary Novelist 