Thoughts of a Postbac: Planning for 2014

NICHD does an excellent job of creating acitivities that give IRTAs full exposure to many different opportunities. With so many events available, it is imperative to look ahead and make a plan. 

At the postbac orientation last September, postbacs Jeffery Head and Amanda Krause  discussed multiple activities for postbacs at the NIH. Grab your calendar and take note of the following ongoing activities:  

• The Tuesday Genetics Clinic gives postbacs the opportunity to learn from NICHD’s experts in clinical genomics (recapped December 2012). 
• ICU Rounds or ICU Simulator Rounds allow postbacs to observe fellows and members of a healthcare team react to patient scenarios using the “Sim Man” patient simulator (recapped November 2011). 
• The NIH Children’s INN volunteer program needs postbacs and other fellows to perform science experiments with children staying at the NIH (recapped October 2013). 
• Volunteering with Learning Ally is a program where postbacs can volunteer on the NIH campus to record medical and scientific textbooks for the blind and others with learning challenges (recapped April 2012). 
• The NICHD Connection newsletter needs postbac volunteers to write for the “Thoughts of a Postbac” column. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, practice your writing skills, or even interview NIH scientists about their research and careers. 
• The Becoming an Effective Scientist Class is where postbacs can learn how to analyze scientific articles over free pizza lunch (recapped September 2010). It runs every fall from September through December on Mondays.

In addition to these ongoing activities, keep an eye out for additional workshops and seminars. For example, there is an upcoming MD/PhD degree panel session on Monday, January 27, from 2 to 3 pm in Building 31, Conference Room 2A48. While planning your goals for 2014, keep these great opportunities in mind!