I recently spoke with reporter and Policygenius staff editor Myles Ma about how to tell when you're underpaid and what you should do about it.  We discussed how the best time to negotiate is before you accept a new position and went over some tips for how to advocate for your fair value after you're already on the job. If you've had the experience of going from underpaid to being well-compensated, I'd love to hear what worked for you!

 I really liked and keep thinking about this New York Times article, which begins, "Last spring, I forgot the word for hobby."  As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about how we evaluate our relationship with the work we do (and as an American), it can be easy for me to slip into a mindset where leisure exists to balance out work as opposed to thinking of work existing to support leisure.  I appreciate the reminder to value enjoyment as a stand-alone experience with no expectation of any kind of results. 

I met postdoctoral researcher Margherita Perillo last month at the ASCB-EMBO Conference where we talked about career decisions that lead to happiness. In addition to the work she does in the lab, Margherita writes a blog for the Committee for Postdocs and Students (COMPASS) and she asked me some questions for her latest article "Three Steps For Scientists In The Pursuit Of Happiness," where she also looked at what the happiest scientist she knows does to stay that way.  Regardless of whether you go to work in a lab or an office or a warehouse, she shares some great tips on how to find your right balance and continually push yourself to create the most fulfilling life for yourself.