Reimagining the PhD | Nadia Jaber | TEDxSBU

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Traditionally all PhDs went on to become academic professors. Times have changed. This speaker offers an idea to help prepare graduate students for the real world.

Nadia Jaber is a graduate student at Stony Brook University, pursuing a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her thesis work focuses on how mammalian cells discard the chemical signals used to communicate with one another. During her graduate training, she realized she wanted something different than the traditional academic career path that PhDs are geared for. Exploring her interests, she found a passion in science and health communications and has since begun the Advanced Certificate in Health Communications offered by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Her goal is to use her science background to disseminate important health and science information in order to empower the general public to make educated decisions.
Outside of science and communications, Nadia likes to try new recipes, paint quotes for her Etsy shop, take kickboxing classes and sail around Northport.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[Sancho]

This is an amazing video. I am doing my masters degree and I am asking myself the very same questions you asked yourself. this video has brought an immense amount of insight. Thank you very much for sharing your

[alpantanjung]

she smiles all the time during her presentation. I wish I could attend her presentation. 2 to 3 hrs is not boring. beautiful. smart n intellectual lady. a lady with a PhD academic title is superb n highly prestigiious. Congrats.

[J-gv]

My favourite line:
The career opportunity for a Ph. D in the non-academic world is limitless. I am saving this talk to my sd card.

[DrSal-ovnb]

This is true. Mid PhD crisis is the major phase when feel lack of motivation and questioning own self what am I doing with my career and life? .

[dr.abdulquader]

Thanks, Nadia Jaber for your beautiful and inspirational speech about the Ph.D. study. As a new Ph.D. student, I think during Ph.D. research people need lots of motivation and driving force since it is a 3 to 5 years long journey where many things you may find that distract your focus and concentration even you might think of quitting from doing Ph.D. So I assume that it would be great if you could keep in touch with someone did Ph.D. and other faculty members.

[hayajbee]

Thank you so much, Nadia, I'm almost done with my master, and was thinking about PhD, but hesitant at the same time because I don't see my self in academic fields, your lecture has really opened my eyes.

[samaras.]

Loved this TEDx Talk! Our stories are so similar. SBU is also my alma mater. I, too, am a PhD who realized early on that the academic path was not for me. I am now working in my dream job in industry. Contrary to what you may hear in your university, academic positions are NOT the only way to go. If it is what you prefer, great, but there are options out there. I also love the career ladder idea. You go girl!

[hongpingzhang]

Oh my! I'm not the only one who hates calling strangers but has no problem with public speaking! I used to think it was because English is not my first language.

[malinkata]

Hi Nadia! Your talk was amazing and it describes precisely what I have been thinking lately. I finished my PhD in Molecular Medline a few months ago and I'm aware of all possibilities which are now open for me. I also don't want to follow the academic career track, it is just not for me. My passion is communicating science. This I discovered during my PhD. At the same time I rediscovered my other passion - singing. To be fair until now I have always went with the flow, but the PhD made me realize I can shape my life the way I want it. This realization for me is very liberating and at the same time really scary. I guess I need to take a few steps further and try to see if will be able to find a job in science communications. Thank you again for the inspirational talk and showing me I'm on the right path. :) Good luck. :)

[UseHERnam]

Career development and the acquisition of soft skills are so important during the PhD and it's the university's responsibility to arrange that. UCL have a dedicated doctoral school that runs hundreds of courses. How to marker your PhD to non-academics, public speaking, journal writing, programming for busy PhD students, how to network ... the list goes on and on. Every PhD student at UCL have to take 20 credits worth of these soft skills courses each year. Demand it from your universities people!
Great talk btw!

[CraigHocker]

Even those of us who have written successful grants really don't like doing grant writing, it's not what gets us up in the morning. Having gotten a Ph.D. in the pre-internet age, it's probably hard to imagine how little information and support of this kind there was then. I'm glad that it's better.  It's needed because it's only gotten more brutal.

[SubhashiJayasekara]

Thank you so much. I am finishing my Masters tomorrow and this encourages me to continue working on my passion... Good job Nadia. Wish you good luck with your work as well.

[helenabreha]

OMG thank you for this amazing presentation, I'm not a Ph.D. student but
confused about my path in a medical field, this was inspiring.

[MARTINAEFEYINI]

Very inspiration talk - I love seeing Women in STEM doing great things!

[mohamedbourmad]

Every one has fallen in love with Nadia and her speech. Thank you for you insight, I felt that I will trylly consider a PhD after finishing my master even do I am not the research nerd who sets indoor.

[nellagroen]

Thank you!!! I am a 4th-year PhD student and all you have said is something I have experienced one time or another during my training. This is what my fellow students call 'Impostor syndrome'. You look around and think "There had to be some clerical error, no way am I supposed to be here. When will they realize their mistake?" I also thought tenure was the way to go, but soon realized that wasn't for me. I wouldn't be happy or satisfied doing that for the rest of my life. I even felt ashamed to think about quiting, since this was my dream since I was a little girl.

You however made me realize that it is okay to want something outside the world of academia, since that world is not for everyone. I realize now that I need to be proactive this year and work towards my dream career.
Thank you, you have no idea how much I needed this.

[CultureAndLove]

Her honesty is refreshing. Thank you to those sharing this video and talk.

[MegaKasi]

The way you thought is the same way as I am thinking now, and now I am gonna start my Phd In sha Allah. Thank you

[marianachrispim]

Excellent and inspiring talk! I feel the same and in my last year of PhD I decided to do a career planning course which I really found helpful to know myself better. I think it should be offered to all graduate students, it is essential to reflect about what you really want and to be better prepared and motivated.

[ohmaekka]

Just what I needed RIGHT NOW!!! A PERSPECTIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!