Friday, August 30, 2013

Taking A PhD From The Bench to The United Nations

Marga Gual Soler shares her career trajectory at Science Careers:
In February, I joined the NGO Branch of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs for a 6-month internship exploring how science, technology, and innovation can drive sustainable development. ... 
It has been fascinating to discover how science can benefit society at multiple levels: by informing the sustainable development agenda, improving access to education and healthcare, and fostering technological cooperation among countries. I also came to realize that very few people know that access to scientific advancement and its benefits is recognized as a universal human right.
Marga's story is a great example of how almost every 'extra-curricular' activity during graduate school can help develop skills for a future career.  Don't let anyone convince you that the only things that should be done during graduate school are reading, research, and writing; those people don't have your best interests in mind.

If you have a passion to do something unusual or atypical when you're not working - do it!  Taking breaks from your main projects paradoxically increases your productivity.