When giving a seminar, it's like sharing a piece of your journey with others. I find joy in sharing my experiences, both the wins and the setbacks. It’s in these moments of adversity that we often learn the most. I take pride in sharing the 'mess-ups ', the 'oops', and the bumps on the road, as these stories often carry more power of reflection than the wins. They are the stories that inspire change, improvement, and the pursuit of excellence. If any of these stories can help my new colleagues in their early careers, that would be a win for me as well.
Recently, I had the opportunity to present a seminar that highlighted not just the results of my work, but the winding, often not-as-planned-as-desired path that led me here. The goal was to celebrate the journey to tenure: an important step in any academic career. If I had not taken the advice of my dear friend and colleague Dr. Sollenberger to reflect upon this moment, it would have been just one more step in my career, oblivious to the business of our work life. It is hard to believe but I have been with the University of Florida for 7 years already! As I spoke about my experiences in extension and research, I realized that, for me, the most valuable lessons weren’t just in the publications or grant successes, but in the people that helped me to get where I am, the collaborations, adaptability, and passion that shaped my career.
During the first two years, my work was heavily extension-focused. I spent many hours on the road, getting to know the farmers, the extension agents, the agricultural systems, and the expectations of my clientelle. My goal was to be the agents’ specialist, as Dr. Mukhtar, our associate dean, would put it. Be available, be responsive and be proactive. These interactions became the foundation of my program. I learned a lot about Florida’s agriculture, about the institutional and political relationships, and about the needs of my stakeholders. But it took me about two years to realize that to secure tenure and move forward in academia, I needed more than just strong relationships and a successful extension program. Unfortunately, extension was not one of the main criteria to make us a Top 5 University, the goal at the time. I needed more research, more grants, more students, and—yes—more papers.
At that point, I began applying for a wider range of grants. The first rounds were often rejected, which lead me to expand the scope and explore multiple avenues. Be creative, was the advice. After a few rounds, the approvals started coming in, and suddenly my work shifted into high gear (well... my research work, since my extension side had already been in high gear). The breadth of my work expanded many disciplines (and probably beyond my reach!), so I needed good people and good collaborators. I hired more students and brought on staff, and before I knew it, my research group had grown to a size that far exceeded the typical expectation for a 30% research appointment. While this growth was a rewarding experience, it also came with its own set of challenges—managing the workload, guiding students, and balancing all the moving pieces of a research program. And this is something that is not taught at grad school!
Around this time, I received feedback from my third-year review. It had many compliments, but it was both a reality check and a push forward. The advice was clear: "you are doing well, but we want to see more publications. You should also engage more with national-level societies, get involved in leadership roles, and build an international presence". WAIT!! Weren’t those requirements to go from Associate to Full Professor? Apparently not (or was the goalpost moving as we progressed???). This feedback didn’t just stay on paper—it became a roadmap, to be implemented on years 5-6. I became chair of the C6 division of the Crop Science Society of America, took on the role of associate editor for Crop Science, and even started an international program with the support of the UF Global Fellow grant. These opportunities enhanced my career and expanded the reach and impact of my work far beyond what I had initially envisioned. And increased my workload beyond what I was expecting as well!
The last two years, truth being said, were quite overwhelming. Or "strategically overwhelmed", as I would put. I checked all the boxes, but somewhat at a personal cost. My students also did not get as much attention as I wish I could give them. But we got there. We made it through tenure. This is not a sole journey; it is group work and a team’s achievement! And I am so thankful to those around me that enlightened my journey and helped me to get where I am. Reflecting upon this first phase of my career, beyond the grants and papers, what stands out is the importance of adaptability, building meaningful collaborations, and surrounding myself with good people. No one can do this alone. I also leave an advice, to reflect at each step, to improve and to celebrate with the team. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands, but taking the time to celebrate your achievements and learn from your missteps makes a difference.
For those of you starting out in academia or navigating your own winding path, I encourage you to embrace the journey. It won’t always be linear, and you’ll likely face more rejections than you’d like to count, but persistence and adaptability will take you far. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek mentors who will push you to grow. And when you do stumble, remember that those bumps in the road often provide the most valuable lessons.
If you’d like to hear more about my journey and the stories that shaped my career, I invite you to watch the seminar recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpMaisJJEE4. It’s a candid reflection on the road to tenure. I hope you enjoy and I would love to hear your comments in this blog or through our email forages@ifas.ufl.edu.
Opmerkingen