Mentoring and Support in Academia - Any Thoughts

[DisillusionedPostdoc]

Hello! I'm new to this board but have seen a few threads below re: jobs in academia. I am not sure if this is the place to be posting this, but thought I'd give it a go anyway.

So what I was wondering, was if anyone had had access to any sort of formal and informal mentoring as a new academic, and how did you gain access to it? My situation is that I'm on a two year postdoc, which is amazing, I'm so glad to have got it. But effectively it feels like I'm doing a second Phd in two-thirds of the time whilst also trying to publish from my original Phd. And be a Mum! I don't mind the workload but I am feeling incredibly isolated. I am not integrated into the school or department at all (I don't know how to get integrated as I am doing my research/fieldwork right now and am hardly in the office) and I work entirely on my own.

Mostly it's OK, but from time to time I feel very disillusioned and when I'm feeling a lot of self doubt about my work and its purpose/validity/etc (like now!) I find it particularly difficult. My 'boss' is OK, but not especially helpful. Recently she's suggested that we co-author once my research is complete which initially I thought was great, but now I can't help thinking might just mean that I write a paper and she puts her name to it.

The thing is, I don't have anyone to share these issues and questions with. Is this totally normal? Or is there anyone out there in the same boat? What have other people done in terms of mentoring etc as a junior (but quite mature!) academic?

Thanks in advance!

[peppapighastakenovermylife]

I am an early career academic and have sort of built up a number of informal mentors through people I know and have worked with. My former phd supervisor helps a lot and I have got to know different profs and readers etc who can be there to give advice. We are also given a formal mentor who should help us if we need to.

Is your current research area what you want to be researching long term? Is it your idea or someone elses project? I think that makes a difference to your relationship.

I think in the early stages that is just what happens with regard to papers. I know I often do the research, analyse the data, write the paper, do all the fiddly bits, choose the journal... then my supervisor gives it a quick read over and adds her name. Fair? Maybe not - but at the end of the day you have that paper. One day you will be in the position of probably doing the same thing as her!

I think as well once you start publishing and going to conferences with your data people get to know you and get in contact. I am currently collaborating with someone who read one of my papers for example.

I dont know if I am actually answering your question here lol.

I have been quite proactive in making contacts - sending people emails, introducing myself etc. Sometimes I end up almost giving research ideas away as they end up first person on the bid etc...but you have made that link.

Is there anyone in your department doing similar research?

[Theochris]

With respect to the papers. If she is your boss she will be on the paper. Chances are she applied for the funding, holds the grant and formulated the first ideas for the project. She should at the very least be involved in the manuscript preparation.

This is the way it works.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here with a question, but how does your University define an early career academic? I keep asking my University and getting different answers from different people.......

[peppapighastakenovermylife]

Hmmm - depends really. A lot of the research councils say anywhere between 4 and 7 years post doc and will add time onto that for maternity leave, caring, illness etc.