Soft skills to be happy and productive in science / academia

What does it take to succeed in academia? There's more to it than just hard work, perseverance, and luck. Come find out!

4.40 (330 reviews)

Udemy

platform

English

language

Other Teaching & Academi

What you will learn

Overview of "soft skills" in academia

Tips for success and happiness in academic positions

Why take this course?

Is being a successful academic just about working hard and getting publications? Nope! Well, a good work ethic and publication output are important. But there’s so much more to surviving and thriving in academia than just having a good CV.

I’ve been an academic for over 20 years, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about why some academics thrive while others struggle. I don’t claim to have all the answers (actually, in true academic form: I mostly just have questions), but I wanted to share my thoughts and observations with you.

Therefore, the purpose of this course is to provide an overview of "soft skills" that are important for a successful and satisfying career in academia. You don’t have to take this course as an Absolute Truth; instead I hope that you find the discussions to be inspiring and thought-provoking. Many decisions in academia are lifestyle choices, and therefore I hope that this course will help you reflect on your own choices, preferences, and goals.

In addition to the video lectures, the course comes with an 80-page ebook (pdf format) that provides additional details about each topic.

If you are in academia or are considering a career in academia, then I hope you find this short course informative and useful!

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Reviews

Sara

November 17, 2022

I have made horrendous experiences as a former PhD student and was pushed out of my program by my supervisor. My every day life was worse than hell I never wanted to leave academia and want to start again, find a new position. And so far this course helps me with regaining my shattered confidence! Thank you Mike, this is incredibly useful for people like me!!

Sathish

September 19, 2022

yes, I am being a Ph.D. student, and have the same queries in my mind. Hope this course helps me to take the right decision for my carrer.

Matsu

December 17, 2021

Took few days to go through this series. An excellent course about choices and decisions. I am a bachelor student of C.S, and I've been considering for applying a master degree for quite a long time. Mike really explains a lot that I have never though about, like what academia life feels like and what should be expected. Even though that I have been working as a software developer for half an year, my impulse grows day by day to push me to what I might really desire. Especially the "Imposter Syndrome", this is what I'm facing day by day. My job is actually coding some websites, but I still have to deal with Data Analysis and developing APIs. Perhaps some a bit strange, but my colleagues really think I am capable of doing those stuff! But those are why I am here. Thanks Mike.

Ryan

September 26, 2021

Superb lecture! I am an aspiring academician too and everything that prof. Mike said is spot on! The course gives you an idea bout the challenges, expectations, and even financial matters in the academe. I highly recommend this course to everyone who needs a brief overview about the academic life. In fact, I'm already telling all my friends to take these courses! Thank you so much sir! P.S. I will be taking your other courses too. I think you are a really good teacher and I'm learning a lot. Thank you so much!

Tom

September 13, 2021

Having another courses from 'Dr. Cohen' :D about python and math, I can say that Mike is a great instructor: he knows his stuff, talks clear and in a comfortable pace. Since this course is geared towards scientists and academics, and I'm a programmer (and nurse), I still got some insights from it. Definitely worth watching (and applying)!

Élisée

September 3, 2021

This course is not just another course, it is a compilation of useful advises on how to get the most out of an academic career. It is very relevant, straight to the point, and very digestible. As an aspiring cognitive scientist, I would have liked to have a mentor who guides me in this way however this course helped me a lot.

Marco

July 1, 2021

It is a very good course! It covers several important tips not only for those who intend to pursue an academic career but for anyone who wants to plan better his or her lifestyle. I strongly recommend this course. Congratulations Mike!

Huy

June 16, 2021

The presenation is clear and concise, but it has all of the basic information that you need for every career choice you made in aacademia

Ettore

June 9, 2021

Mike is an incredible mentor and scientist. I believe that listening to him is always worth the time (except for the bad jokes).

Akshay

June 4, 2021

I found this course as a must for any master, PhD, PostDocs and early career researchers who are planning for a (happy) future in academia. I am planning to join PhD next year and I am happy I got to know all about this at such an early stage. Although, regarding the use of social media, (Prof.) Mike was not encouraging, but in my experience social media communities like academic twitter helps a lot to the PhD and early career researchers to connect with each other and share their experiences. Many times we encounter various people in our life who don't understand the struggles that an academician went through, and having a virtual community helps a lot, you will always find helping hand :) But again as (Prof.) Mike suggested, one should use it with caution. Overall, it was a great experience. I will definitely recommend this course to other people in my contacts. Great work !!

Aleksei

October 26, 2020

Up to this moment (video №3), everything was great and highly structured. Especially, I was found relevant the talk about returning to academia

GUMILAR,

October 26, 2020

This is so cool...a neuroscientist provides advice on the stock exchange and property investment. Hopefully, there will be a course on Neuroeconomy blended with Neuroproperty in a near future from Mike...:)

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