In a world where opportunities, requests, and obligations constantly compete for our attention, learning to say no is one of the most valuable—and underrated—skills we can develop. Many of us hesitate to decline requests, fearing we’ll come across as unhelpful, damage professional relationships, or miss out on future opportunities. But the truth? Saying no doesn’t have to mean shutting doors or … Read More
Navigating an Uncertain Funding Landscape
Research funding—uncertain in the best of times—is facing a period of instability in the U.S. due to recent policy shifts. Some funding programs have already been affected, and researchers across disciplines are navigating this uncertainty. At CareerVolt, we’ve been tracking these developments to better support investigators and institutions. We share the concerns many are expressing and remain committed to helping … Read More
Shifting from “Either/Or” to “Both/And” Thinking: A Powerful Approach for Research Career (and Life) Success
Scientific and health research lends itself to viewing the world in either/or perspectives: data either refute or support a particular hypothesis, sometimes based on statistical tests that indicate “different or not different”. However, it can be distressing when data don’t fit into tidy boxes, and might even create uncertainty in how to move forward. Like with research outcomes, many situations … Read More
Cultivating Thought Partners to Enhance Your Research
Research is an intellectual pursuit in which discovery arises from asking questions and thinking deeply about where to go next. We often assume that we must have our ideas all worked out before we verbalize them to someone else, especially in the professional setting where we might be concerned about the way our ideas are received (i.e., looking like we … Read More