Let’s talk about asking for what you want in your career -- beyond the expected academic rank progression. This can be difficult because we often don't realize we’re waiting for an invitation or opportunity. Waiting for someone to notice the hard work we've done. For someone to notice the importance of a contribution we've made, or to notice that it’s ‘our turn’ for something.

The sooner you move away from a default strategy of waiting to be asked or invited, the better -- because getting up the nerve and actually making that ask will serve two different but important functions for you.

One is giving you a higher likelihood of being offered career-advancing opportunities. The other is a residual psychological benefit – i.e., that it will be easier for you to make other such asks in the future without feeling anxious about it.

First, let's look at what the asks might actually be about – and thus provide you with practical benefits related to research funding:

• You might ask a senior colleague to collaborate on a proposal where you serve as a co-PI;

• You could request feedback on a draft proposal from someone with experience with that type of proposal;

• You could ask the department chair for funds to support professional development related to funding.

And examples related to advancing your visibility and reputation:

• Asking to give a talk at a seminar series or colloquium, or at a nearby institution -- perhaps a government lab;

• Nominating yourself for an award, or asking someone else to do so;

• Asking to chair a session at a conference or serve on an upcoming review panel.

And for how these asks can contribute to psychological growth, consider:

• Desensitizing yourself to hesitation or anxiety about asking. The first time you do it may be unsettling. The second time, it'll be less so. And then, over time, you’ll realize that it’s no longer something you even think about;

• Rewiring how you feel about yourself when you're making these asks. You’ll start to see that you're someone who is taking initiative and is known for doing so. This may be an adjustment where you become someone who generates opportunities, as opposed to waiting for them;

• Asking may help you break out of a self-image that you’re ready to outgrow. Perhaps now you feel that you're not ‘senior’ enough to have certain opportunities -- even though you probably are. When you start to get these ‘yeses,’ you’ll become comfortable serving in the new roles.

Keep in mind that when you make the ask, even if someone cannot accommodate you at that moment, they will still keep you in mind for other opportunities because they’ve seen that you show initiative. So even with a no, don’t be surprised when they come back to you later with a different answer.

It’s summer now and you have breathing room. My advice is to take time to think about what you’d like to accomplish in the year ahead, and which asks related to that you can make right now. If you're just getting started in your position, make this something that's relatively low stakes. Or, if you've been in your position longer but are still playing it small, make it something bigger.

The Ask -- you can handle it.

How you can pursue foundation funding for your research

Everyone’s been talking about foundation funding lately, right? I invite you to check out this video I recorded a bit over a year ago on this topic. This info still holds true today.

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 12-week program to get you there.

Check out our storefront where you can access our free Unlocking DOD Funding for University Researchers course and other resources, including for faculty applicants.

Ready to book a call to discuss how our program can support faculty at your institution? Let’s chat!