The importance of (sometimes shameless) self-promotion

There are a lot of great scientists out there. But how do we learn about them? Better yet, how do others learn about us? Of course, there is always the literature — but let’s be honest, keeping track of and reading scientific literature feels like drinking from a fire hose with a straw. Plus, we all have that ever-growing folder full of papers just waiting for us to read.

As graduate students, we are constantly juggling our courses, demands from our lab and adviser, personal lives, and so much more; often putting writing our own manuscripts on the very back burner. In the times of instantaneous information via social media, waiting around to read our folders or for our paper to get published is no longer the only way to get our science out there. And in an ever-changing employment landscape, getting our names and our research front and center is often our only hope of obtaining a “real job” one day. Enter the topic of today: the importance of self-promotion (and also, how to accept others’ help along the way).

It is scary to be vulnerable with our science. As graduate students, we lay everything we have on the table — our hopes, dreams for the future, we even place holds on our personal lives, all in the name of science. It can also feel unnatural to share and celebrate our accomplishments, especially with the intention of securing our professional futures. But I am here to say that it is okay, and encouraged, because if we don’t promote ourselves, who else will? Over the last six months, I have had to reprogram my brain to accept this fact and have tried to refocus my energy on getting my message out into the real world.

I started this mission with two goals in mind (that don’t require being an extrovert). First, to cultivate a professional Twitter, and second, to make a personal website (to then promote on my Twitter). I’ve had many other graduate students tell me about the greatness of science Twitter, but you really have to experience it to believe it. I have found an overwhelming amount of information via Twitter, from postdocs to jobs to cutting-edge methodologies. I have also found a compassionate and engaging community that has provided advice on a variety of topics, including conflict-resolution and authorship.

Scared about where to start? The Twitter algorithm has got you covered – it will connect you with researchers near and far that have varying levels of overlap with your interests. Still trying to come up with the perfect handle? There are tons of suggestions online, and even a handle generator!