A Postdoc's Journal (Simit Patel)

EPISODE 9: ON BORROWED TIME

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from July 2013, reflecting on my contract renewal struggles and the lack of job security in academia. I discuss the challenges faced with funding gaps, self-doubt, and networking. I also explore the impact of limited networking and self-perceived inadequacies. Ultimately, this episode highlights the broader issues in academic culture with limited funding, fixed-term contracts, and internal politics.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

03:17 Journal Entry: Meeting with the Boss

05:50 Reflections on Job Security and Visibility

07:01 The Broader Issues in Academia

13:27 Personal Struggles and Mindset

18:15 Cultural and Systemic Barriers

20:04 Concluding Thoughts and Future Lessons

23:14 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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EPISODE 3: I BLAME MYSELF

In this episode, we jump to the middle of March 2012—about six weeks into my 'new' postdoc. At this point, I had started working more in the lab. Nothing was working, and I thought it was all my fault. I started burning myself out and experiencing depressive symptoms. I had no energy left for building a social life, but I tried anywhere.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:22] - Reading
• [07:55] - Discussion
• [22:29] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Depression
• Negative bias
• Wider problems in academia
• Anger

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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EPISODE 4: MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM

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A trailer for my new podcast: A Postdoc's Journal. A podcast by Simit Patel, PhD.

Each week, I will read out entries from my own personal journal from back when I was a postdoc. Then I reflect on it, analyze it, and try to make sense of it with the benefit of hindsight.

Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast app, to catch the first episode dropping soon.

EPISODE 0: INTRODUCTION

In this episode, I will introduce explain what the podcast is, why I'm doing it, and who it is for. I will also introduce myself!

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [01:00] - What is a Postdoc's Journal?
• [02:47] - Why am I doing this podcast?
• [05:02] - Who is this podcast for?
• [07:00] - Who is Simit Patel, PhD?
• [09:02] - What you can expect in the upcoming episodes

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Intro music and sound effects taken from freesound.org.

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Next up: EPISODE 1: FEELING OUT OF MY DEPTH

EPISODE 6: IT'S NOT ENOUGH

In this episode, we jump to October 2012—about nine months into my postdoc. In this journal entry, I am reviewing my year so far and I'm judging my progress (or lack of progress) quite harshly. It feels pretty sad to relive moments like this, but I do manage to find some words of wisdom in the end.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [03:00] - Reading
• [05:13] - Discussion
• [20:17] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• The pressure to publish in academia
• The pressure to write grant applications in academia
• Procrastination, fear, and perfectionism
• Feeling antisocial and lonely

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

Next:

EPISODE 7: FEELING BULLIED

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EPISODE 4: MAYBE I'M NOT THE PROBLEM

Firstly, a MASSIVE thank you to my listeners for your support so far. I reflect a little bit about what I've learned so far from all of you.

In this episode, we jump to the end of March 2012—about two months into my postdoc. At this point, things still aren't going well in the lab, but I learn the value of opening up to my boss about my problems. It's a very short entry this week, but we touch on some really important points.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [08:14] - Reading
• [09:48] - Discussion
• [16:54] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

•  The importance of the employee-boss relationship
• The value of opening up about your feelings

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

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EPISODE 5: WORK-LIFE IMBALANCE

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EPISODE 1: FEELING OUT OF MY DEPTH

In this episode, we jump a cold, grey December day in 2011. This is the day after my postdoc job interview. Despite being offered the job on the spot, my confidence is not running high.,

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:47] - Reading
• [06:17] - Discussion
• [12:39] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Negative internal narrative
• Impostor syndrome
• My identity as a scientist
• Contending with failure

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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Follow/message me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn

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EPISODE 2: FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS

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EPISODE 8: YEAR 1 REVIEW

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read out a personal journal entry from December 2012—close to the end of my first year of my postdoc. I give a very harsh review of my own academic performance and share my attitudes to work and work-life balance. I also try to make some goals for the next year.

It is pretty clear that I was brainwashed into the academic system, evidenced by the way I judge my achievements using academic metrics of success only. I discuss some really interesting points about how philosophy to work and work-life balance has evolved over 12 years. I also reflect on how my goal-making skills have improved significantly today.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction and welcome to a Postdoc's Journal

[02:58] Journal entry from December 2012

[04:29] My perspective on many things has changed so much

[05:16] Underestimating my achievements

[06:04] Judging my success on academia's value system

[07:42] How my attitude to work and work-life balance has changed

[11:33] How to make good goals

[17:03] Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn and/or BlueSky

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EPISODE 7: FEELING BULLIED

In this episode of "A Postdocs Journal," we jump to the middle of October 2012, about two weeks after EPISODE 6. I discuss the challenges of changing research directions, my struggles with standing up to my boss, and the impact of past experiences (bullying, in particular) can have on professional life. Join me as I attempt to breakaway from the past by developing self-awareness and reframing past experiences.

[00:00] Welcome to a Postdocs Journal

[01:27] Reflecting on October 2012

[02:26] Journal Entry: 18th October 2012

[06:25] Analyzing the Journal Entry

[09:45] Connecting Past Experiences

[16:00] Was It Really Bullying?

[18:50] Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

[19:26] Looking Ahead to December 2012

[20:16] Closing Remarks and How to Support

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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EPISODE 8: YEAR IN REVIEW

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EPISODE 5: WORK LIFE IMBALANCE

In this episode, we jump to May 2012—about three to four months into the postdoc. At this point things still weren't going well in the lab, but I seem to be doing OK with building a life outside of work.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:56] - Reading
• [05:55] - Discussion
• [07:03] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Introversion - is it a good thing or not?
• Should there be a better culture around sharing failure at work?
• Insecurity - is it bad or functional?
• The relationship between work, life, and happiness

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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EPISODE 6: IT'S NOT ENOUGH

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EPISODE 2: FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS

In this episode, we jump February 2012—about two weeks into my new postdoc. In this entry, I'm agonizing over whether to go to a conference or not, and I try to figure out my place in my new research group...and in Germany.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - Intro
• [02:53] - Reading
• [07:04] - Discussion
• [14:05] - Outro

Key issues discussed:

• Anxiety when joining a new group
• Insecurity

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

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Next episode:

EPISODE 3: I BLAME MYSELF

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EPISODE 11: HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013-just before Christmas. This is a slightly different journal entry where I was collating lists of things I like and don't like about work from ANOTHER mini-journal I was keeping. This was a great tool I used to help me figure out how I like to work. If you want to try it yourself, I share some advice on how to use it effectively.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

03:26 Journal Entry

08:26 Hearing that back feel great!

09:14 Using this as a tool to figure out what you want

10:30 How to use this tool effectively

13:34 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow me on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social

Next up: Season 1 FINALE!

EPISODE 10: LIFE LESSONS

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013. This is the fist time I started asking the pivotal question that changed my life: "Should the way I work to suit the job? Or change the job to suit the way I like to work?" I discuss how this question has guided my career choices until this day and I share some ideas about how to be kind to yourself.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

02:40 Journal Entry

06:27 Mixed feeling about this entry

07:41 The most important life lesson I've learned

13:20 I thought there was something wrong with the way I was working

14:42 Being told that I wasn't performing well enough

17:00 How to be kind to yourself

19:38 Adult loneliness

21:43 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review on Apple podcasts or Podchaser

Follow me on...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social

For copy editing and proofreading services, see here:

https://simitpatel.com/

EPISODE 12: LACK OF MENTORSHIP

This is the LAST EPISODE of season 1!!

In this episode of 'A Postdoc's Journal', I read a journal entry from December 2013--just after Christmas. I was at Heathrow airport waiting for my flight back to Germany, and I had some interesting revelations linking my childhood experiences to my problems as a postdoc. I discuss the value of having a change of scenery to help you think clearer and I delve into the impact a lack of mentorship can have on you as a young child...and as an adult.

00:00 Introduction to the Postdocs Journal

03:33 Journal Entry

08:12 A change of environment can help you gain a different perspective

10:38 I was still feeling imposter syndrome

11:15 Microtraumas from childhood

13:33 A lack of mentorship at school and in academia

15:29 Goal making skills

15:54 Knowing what you don't want to do is still progress

17:23 Outro

For more information about the podcast and for my contact information, please visit https://a-postdocs-journal.captivate.fm/

Please leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow me / connect with me on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simit_apj/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simit-patel-063388ab/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/apostdocsjournal.bsky.social