Designed primarily for women near the end of their formal training, embarking on their first jobs, this book contains useful advice for women and men at all stages of their careers. Many of the contributors are Canadian and few are chemists (biology and engineering are well-represented), but the advice is sufficiently general that most of it is entirely appropriate for a chemist working in the U.S. Indeed, it is a strength of the book that we hear different voices and learn how similar the career challenges for women can be across western cultures. A good deal of the advice focuses on research science in academia, but there are topics relevant to positions in industry and government also.

For young chemists starting their careers, the formula for success may seem quite simple: do excellent science, and the rewards will follow. The myth of academic science as a pure meritocracy remains strong. Doing cutting-edge science is so time-consuming that many may feel they have little time to think about managing their careers. But the stories and advice in this book make it abundantly clear that many factors contribute to success. Career management does not imply projecting an entire life trajectory, but rather setting clear short-term objectives, making mindful choices in the context on one’s own goals, needs, and values, and being able to respond to change.

The dozen chapters in this book cover a range of career issues. They are quite self-contained: the reader interested in a particular topic can read selectively. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the concepts of career management and professional development. The latter chapter argues that there are many direct and indirect benefits of seeking professional career guidance, in courses or workshops, or with individual coaches. My own experience participating in and observing COACh workshops at ACS meetings confirms this.¹ Chapter 3 offers very specific advice on the challenges and benefits of working abroad.

The fourth chapter, written by Ilene Busch-Vishniac, a mechanical engineer at Johns Hopkins, advises on “Climbing the Ladder”. She wisely describes more than how to make that climb, but also when, or whether, or where. Chapter 5, written by Christine S. Grant, a chemical engineer at North Carolina State University, is an excellent primer on mentoring. She explains why different kinds of mentors are important, and suggests how to go about finding mentors. The advice for both mentors and proteges (“mentees”) is detailed and specific, including a nice table outlining expectations and responsibilities in mentoring relationships. The next chapter addresses networking: what it is and how to make it work.

Chapter 7, on “Mental Toughness”, was written by Pritchard. The topic is important, with many interesting ideas. Some seem a bit implausible: repeating to oneself “I am a worthy person, intelligent, capable, and competent” does not strike me as a particularly effective way to build self-confidence. But there is enough wise counsel in the chapter that it is well worth reading. Suggestions about dealing with adversity are excellent. The subsequent chapter, on personal style, goes well beyond “dress for success”. Recognizing that workplaces and working situations differ widely, it nevertheless offers sensible guidelines.

Chapter 9 discusses communicating science. Topics include formal and informal presentations, posters, email, and communicating with the lay public and the media. The very sensible suggestions about presenting talks and posters could be used by undergraduate students as well. Chapter 10, also written by Pritchard, considers managing time stress. Setting goals, learning to distinguish urgent from important tasks, and learning how to say “no” are useful tools. Chapter 11, “Balancing Professional and Personal Life” addresses an issue of central importance to many young women today: how to find time for both careers and children. There are no easy answers, and some suggestions, like having a live-in nanny, are totally unrealistic for young people living on academic salaries, but there are many good ideas, and more importantly, many stories of women who have succeeded in finding a satisfying balance. It is acknowledged that changing the system is part of finding real solutions.

The final chapter is an interesting piece on transitions and change. A nice distinction is made: transitions occur internally whereas changes are external. The chapter then describes the many transitions and changes that may occur across a professional life. Since it is often said that young people today can expect to encounter considerably more change in their careers that their elders, and since throughout the book a recurring theme is that few careers evolve in a simple linear fashion, it is a fitting conclusion.

Note

1. Information about the activities and workshops of COACh, the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (accessed Mar 2006).