“Be Bold and Go for Opportunities Outside Your Comfort Zone”

Abstract

In this chapter, Elliot Ludvig tells us about his journey through several departments—psychology, neuroscience, computing science, and mechanical/aerospace engineering—as well as to industry and back again. Elliot shares how his goals led to this path and suggests that readers should be bold and going for opportunities outside their comfort zone. Research responsibilities change with career progression, but other roles become important in academia as well, including teaching and mentorship, with the potential for others, such as being a course director. Elliot has also moved internationally and discusses some comparisons between countries. Other challenges can also be critical, such as the ‘two-body problem’ of securing jobs for both partners and balancing academia with having a family life.