now that's a dynamic career path! I wish I had more outreach opportunities at my current workplace, but we are pretty isolated over here... However, taking part in PhD outreach competitions might be an option!
Yeah it does depend on where you're at, but I think there are always opportunities if you look out for them or create them. I think what you're doing now is really amazing/ building a nice unique portfolio and brand. But other ideas if anyone else is reading the comments and in the same siutations: 1) There's loads of virtual outreach opporunities you can get involved in (skypeascientist, I'm a scientist get me outta here and bunch of others I can't think of). Like you mentioned, science outreach comps is also a good idea. 2) If public tours of your institute aren't on obvious, still track down your External relations or communications team and introduce yourself. You might be surprised at what they are doing or could use an extra pair of hands with. For example, they might be going out to communities to rustle up funds and would love a researcher to talk about their experience at their institute or uni. 3) Create opportunities. Being vocal or going to senior staff with ideas that your willing to execute can bring big rewards. During my PhD, myself and two other students created an annual student symposium. This ended up being a full day of small talks by studnets. Becuase we were willing to do all the heavy lifting, our institute even gave us budget to create prizes (and helped us connect with other sponsors to fatten it out). Sometimes the person you need to be talking to get this happen is beyond the academic staff, so making connections with admin or other departments not doing research is important to build. This should be a video idea!
@@stemventurist Thanks for the extensive response! There are definitely a lot of opportunities to look out for. I think giving complete newbies advice on how to get started if they don't feel like they have any opportunities in their immediate environment could be an interesting video idea. As for me, my situation is somewhat unique, so I think trying to get involved in virtual outreach competitions and activities makes the most sense, as I work in a fairly isolated environment (research institute in a non-English speaking country where there are barely any other PhD students let alone university students and outreach or teaching opportunities), so even if I wanted to establish something, there wouldn't really be a local audience for it.
now that's a dynamic career path! I wish I had more outreach opportunities at my current workplace, but we are pretty isolated over here... However, taking part in PhD outreach competitions might be an option!
Yeah it does depend on where you're at, but I think there are always opportunities if you look out for them or create them. I think what you're doing now is really amazing/ building a nice unique portfolio and brand. But other ideas if anyone else is reading the comments and in the same siutations:
1) There's loads of virtual outreach opporunities you can get involved in (skypeascientist, I'm a scientist get me outta here and bunch of others I can't think of). Like you mentioned, science outreach comps is also a good idea.
2) If public tours of your institute aren't on obvious, still track down your External relations or communications team and introduce yourself. You might be surprised at what they are doing or could use an extra pair of hands with. For example, they might be going out to communities to rustle up funds and would love a researcher to talk about their experience at their institute or uni.
3) Create opportunities. Being vocal or going to senior staff with ideas that your willing to execute can bring big rewards. During my PhD, myself and two other students created an annual student symposium. This ended up being a full day of small talks by studnets. Becuase we were willing to do all the heavy lifting, our institute even gave us budget to create prizes (and helped us connect with other sponsors to fatten it out). Sometimes the person you need to be talking to get this happen is beyond the academic staff, so making connections with admin or other departments not doing research is important to build.
This should be a video idea!
@@stemventurist Thanks for the extensive response! There are definitely a lot of opportunities to look out for. I think giving complete newbies advice on how to get started if they don't feel like they have any opportunities in their immediate environment could be an interesting video idea. As for me, my situation is somewhat unique, so I think trying to get involved in virtual outreach competitions and activities makes the most sense, as I work in a fairly isolated environment (research institute in a non-English speaking country where there are barely any other PhD students let alone university students and outreach or teaching opportunities), so even if I wanted to establish something, there wouldn't really be a local audience for it.
Yeah definitely sounds like a unique situation! Virtual or digital collabs sounds like the way to go!