Excellence Everywhere - National University of Ireland, Galway

FAMILY MATTERSMany scientists face great demands from theirextended families and communities. Althoughthese demands matter and these relationshipsare centrally important, to be successful at anyprofession one may need to find ways to containand manage the time involved.The issues can be practical—how can you be intwo places at one time? But they can also be veryemotional. If it has always been a tradition thatyou will go home to family to help prepare for aholiday or a change of seasons or to help with aharvest, deciding to make another use of yourtime, or to come in only for the feast and leavethe work to others, is not easy. It is even harderwhen you consider that your parents, siblings,in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, and neighbors willall have an opinion and will likely express it! This isa matter that is very specific to your own life, butit is also universal. There are no perfect solutions.But you can try to separate the practical aspectsof the situation (for example, what work requiresone more set of hands, and can you provide somehelp without providing your own hands?) from theemotional ones such as the perception that youcare more about your career and what it gives youthan about the people who love you, or that youhave gotten “above yourself,” or that you lookdown on those who make your life possible.Home and Work:Can You Have It All?This question applies to many professionals inhigh-pressure careers, including both male andfemale scientists pursuing academic, government,institutional, and industrial career tracks.It helps to start with a supportive partner andfamily. Have clear discussions about career andpersonal goals—yours and those of your family—early on. To avoid the resentments of unspokenand unmet expectations, be as explicit as possibleabout your aspirations with those who are importantto you. Shared goals for work and family makecompromises easier. In some families, your careerwill be a primary driver of your family’s future.For others, both spouses may have professionalIn Sierra Leone and Papua New Guinea,where peer group discussions are the biggestpastime activities, rumors are rife. People donot believe in innocent relationships betweenmen and women and working at night isalways suspicious. Attending meetings/workshopsin hotels with staff members easilycreates stories. To ensure a happy home lifeand avoid confusion regarding after-hours labwork, meetings, and international travel, Itreat my lab staff and their families as one bigextended family. Spouses are encouraged toattend seminars. They are educated about theneed for working late at night and attendingmeetings. Selection criteria for internationalmeetings and other perceived privileges aremade clear to everybody, including familymembers. I have learnt that once your familytrusts your relationship with your workmatesand students, other family issues will be easyto manage.”Moses Bockarie, Papua New Guineaneeds to fulfill. Whatever your situation, it is probablytrue that if your family understands what youare doing, why it matters, and how it will improvethe family’s future, things at home will go betterthan if everyone is kept in the dark about things.In addition to sharing your long-term goals, keepyour family aware of your short-term plans andprojects. Letting them know in advance about animpending grant deadline can buy some understanding.Here are some ways to keep your familyinformed of your schedule, and keep you involvedwith your family:n Post a calendar at home with your travel datesand big deadlines.n Schedule activities with your family and keepthose commitmentsn Turn business travel into a vacation. Have yourpartner or family join you after a scientific meetingand take a few days together to unwind.managing your time79