Getting involved with the National Postdoc Assoc'

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Carol L. Manahan, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow,
Johns Hopkins Medical School
Providing a national voice and seeking change
for postdocs
www.nationalpostdoc.org
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What are the major concerns of postdocs?
Status and Recognition/Benefits Work
Environment Career Outcomes/Resources
www.nationalpostdoc.org
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History

• 2002
• April Formed Exploratory Committee of postdocs
• August Awarded Planning Funds
• AAAS EHR Directorate agrees to serve as
  sponsor
• December Received funding (450K) from Alfred P.
  Sloan Foundation
• 2003
• January Steering Committee meets in Washington,
  DC to pursue collaborations and support from
  NIH, NSF, AAMCs GREAT Group, NRC/NAS, etc.
• March Inaugural Meeting, Ratified Const. and
  By-Laws
• September Hired Executive Director
• October Work with NIH to address postdoc issues

www.nationalpostdoc.org
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Why is the NPA Needed?
1. Provide unique national voice for
postdocs 2. Address national issues 3.
Actively support local PDAs
Mission Statement The mission of the National
Postdoctoral Association is to advance the U.S.
research enterprise by maximizing the
effectiveness of the postdoctoral community and
enhancing the quality of the postdoctoral
experience for all participants.
www.nationalpostdoc.org
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Goals

• Expand capacity of individuals in postdoc
  community
• assume responsibility for their roles
• create systems of mutual accountability
• foster professional development
• 2. Encourage development and implementation of
  policies that promote positive change in the
  postdoctoral experience.
• 3. Collect and disseminate essential information
  so that postdoctoral researchers and stakeholders
  can make informed decisions about their futures
  and guide policy considerations at all levels.

www.nationalpostdoc.org
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Initiatives
PDA Outreach (POP) National Postdoctoral Survey
-Sigma Xi Website Resources Positive Change in
National Policy- NIH Annual Meeting Professional
Society Collaborations (serve on committees and
as advisors)
www.nationalpostdoc.org
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NPA White Paper to NIH
Support and Enhance Transition to Scientific
Independence Provide Leadership Toward
Ensuring Fair Compensation for Postdocs Change
NIH Regulations that Influence Postdoctoral
Classification
www.nationalpostdoc.org
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Established to improve the lives of postdoctoral
fellows in the United States Provide national
voice for postdoctoral researchers Work
collaboratively with other stakeholders to work
towards positive change Need Input from You!
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Become a Member!
Membership is NOT limited to postdocs.

• Members include graduate students, postdocs,
  faculty, administrators and others interested in
  improving the situation for postdoctoral fellows
  in the United States.

www.nationalpostdoc.org
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2003-2004 Executive Board

• Cindy Jo Arrigo, PhD, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical
  School
• Orfeu Buxton, PhD, Harvard Medical School
• Karen Christopherson, PhD, Stanford Medical
  School
• Raymond Clark, PhD, UC- San Diego
• Huong Huynh, PhD, Burnham Institute
• Carol Manahan, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of
  Medicine
• Keith Micoli, PhD, University of Alabama,
  Birmingham
• Arti Patel, PhD, Natl Cancer Institute/NIH
• Derek Scholes, PhD, NY State Department of Health
• Claudina Stevenson, PhD, Tufts Univ./NIH
• J. Lille Tidwell, PhD, Georgetown University
  Medical Center
• Steven Wendell, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

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Contact the NPA

• www.nationalpostdoc.org
• Alyson Reed, Executive Director
• AReed_at_nationalpostdoc.org
• Carol Manahan, Chair
• CManahan_at_nationalpostdoc.org

Support Alfred P. Sloan Foundation American
Association for the Advancement of Science
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Career Advice, Based on My Experiences

• Create a career plan and modify as needed
• (FASEB IDP). This should be done early!
• Research Your Postdoc/Job Carefully
• Practice your presentations- with many audiences
• Ask others about your prospective employer
• Look at the records of past employees
• Be upfront about your career plans with employer
• Ask important questions about prospective
  employer
• Talk to other employees before you take the job!
• It is never too late to change your mind.