There are diverse opinions on both how and why to do it. One topic that has come up recently is the best way for employees to have a voice in their performance review process, if at all. It certainly isn’t something we are taught in graduate school! Below are some highlights of what you should be thinking about when starting this journey, followed by some helpful links for getting started.When it comes to the best way to do performance reviews, there’s no shortage of debates. Branding also gains the interest of investors that help create products from the discoveries we strive to obtain- making us even more recognizable.Ĭreating and maintaining a successful brand is a long-term on-going process, extending beyond social media. Interestingly, this phrase was originally created by two scientistsinvolved on the project as a joke! The end-goal is achieved none-the-less: distilling a complex topic into something understandable and interesting. This is seen with such discovery as the Higgs Boson, coined as “the god particle” which went viral from this catch phrase. This allows for more favorable voting for scientific projects to support funding for your research. This is why scientists must focus on making their research accessible to, and understood by, the general public. The work you put into developing and maintaining your brand will benefit your career, of course, but it will also give you a better understanding of yourself, your specialization, and add to your confidence (and with the large amount of imposter syndrome in the sciences, I think this is a great plus!)Īdditionally, scientific research is funded by the government and takes into account the attitude of the general public. If you can become the best at what you do you will become sought after.” A 2012 study by California Polytechnic State University found that employers use personal brands as a means to recognize the quality of applicants being put forth, helping to narrow down candidates.ĭan Schawbel, author of Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success says that “people are looking for specialists not generalists when recruiting and promoting now. By showing active and on-going commitment to you area of interest, your brand helps build trust and dependability. The goal is to have employers seeking you out as you become increasingly well-known in a specific area. Simply put: Yes, and for reasons that extend even beyond yourself. Is creating a personal brand even important? In the next two sections I hope you realize that this is important and offer some tips and links to get you started! This is hard as it requires a tremendous amount of self-awareness, action, and accountability.
It is the continued advancement of yourself by serving others. The main problem appears to be a focus on self-promotion alone.
Glenn Llopis noted that 70% of professionals believe they have defined their personal brand but <15% truly have. Take note of what you like or dislike about them and think about how this applies to you. On the other hand, Lady Gaga appears very unconventional in her brand, tending to experiment with extreme visual displays. Short, simple, and instantly gets their meaning across. You may notice the first thing that pops up for Nike is their mission statement, associated right with their logo: “Inspiration and Innovation for Every Athlete in the World”. If you do not know much about Nike or Lady Gaga, do a quick google search and meet me back here. Let’s look back at our previous examples.
This can include any platform from LinkedIn, ResearchGate, or your CV, to non-traditional avenues like Twitter, Facebook, and anything that is associated with you.
It’s what sets you apart and helps convince future employers that you are the one that they should pick out of everyone else.Ī good personal brand communicates consistency, commitment, and experience. In a way, this is a type of self-promotion, but an ethical and meticulous one which relies heavily on inner growth and self-reflection. Your brand is a way to establish your identity and define how others see you. “A brand is a story always being told” – Scott Bedbury (Nike and Starbucks executive) You may be wondering, as scientists, why should we care? I believe that, as scientists, we need to care the most (or at least just as much!) This article will explain what personal branding is, why you should care, and some tips to getting started. We will get back to them.Īlthough branding is traditionally associated with big names like these, it is rapidly expanding to include everyone. What do you think of when you hear Nike? Lady Gaga? Are your thoughts about them positive or negative? Each is very different and has unique ways to in which they go about maintaining their personal brands. Turn on the TV, browse the internet, or simply go outside.
#PERSONAL REFLECTION SERIES#
Part of the Self-Reflection series by and for early-career researchers
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