Recently, I’ve been taking up much more space in the lab. And I don’t mean extra body weight. I mean bench space, equipment space, and even desk space. And I need the space.
For equipment, well last year I tentatively asked for Expensive Accessory (EA) for New Fancy Piece of Equipment (New FPE). I do need the EA for experiments that I’m going to do. In fact, it’s impossible to do my dissertation with out them. However, our collaborator’s lab has the EA for the older version of Fancy Piece of Equipment– it’s not compatible with our newer version, though. But Collaborator said we could use zie’s EA and Old FPE. So, I explained this to Advisor that, although I could use Collaborator’s EA and Old FPE, I would prefer having my own so I don’t have to deal with scheduling issues, etc. (plus, I knew that the grant should have enough money for EA). Advisor said yes. Later he told me that I need to be more assertive with asking for what I need. He doesn’t know everything that I need (as he knows less about this particular technique than me) and that it’s not being selfish, rude, or obnoxious to demand things that I need to be successful.
I’m doing several different experiments that include E. coli and yeast (S. cerevisiae if anyone is interested). I’m the first person in my lab to bridge the gap between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic versions of Our Favorite Protein. This required a separate incubator, which I lobbied for and eventually received. I, also, got a dedicated bench for my yeast stuff (this mostly had to do with undergrads using my YPD as LBG –yeast vs. E.coli media– and causing other contamination issues). Labmate graduates soon and I’m claiming his desk. It’s in a better location than mine and it’s near my bench. So, I want.
I’m working on being less shy on asking for what I want and need. It’s working to a certain extent, too (see above evidence). I’m losing my long taught shuffling-eyes-down-if-it’s-not-too-much-trouble demeanor. In science, if I don’t claim the space I need, then no one else will do it for me.
But I can still be polite about it.
Yes, take the space! Sounds like your advisor is behind you, and that’s all that really matters —
“I’m the first person in my lab to bridge the gap between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic versions of Our Favorite Protein”
(sexy!)
Yeah to advisor supporting you and yeah to you for learning how to be assertive. Just be forwarned as a former assertive woman learning to be assertive. Many people will claim you being assertive is you being impolite, rude, bitchy. It is not. It is you standing up for yourself.
I have problems with being assertive too – I’ll do it, but not without lots of anxiety and stress before having that scary big conversation! Good for you for tackling these issues head-on!
I think my eyes glazed over after the first sentence. I think I’m having a flashback to high school chemistry… or was it the second time I took it (attempting to upgrade). It was not pretty.
In meetings, I used to say nothing, and hate what others were doing. Gradually over the years I got more and more assertive, and realized if I didn’t, nothing was gonna change it. It feels good to do that.
wow, i don’t think i understood most of this!!! but very cool!
here from nacomleavmo
Good for you, dude.
And for the record, I DID care what you were growing. 🙂
You go girl! Yes you can be assertive while being polite about it. You want, you take, you say ‘thank you’. Sweet!
Good for you for being assertive in the lab. I for one am more apt to just try to borrow equipment (as annoying as that is). So kudos to you.
-BTW, I am a microbial ecologist. And I study microbe-microbe interactions (filamentous fungi and bacteria) on the plant leaf surface.
Thanks everyone!
Dr. Bad Ass: Advisor is behind me, I was pretty fortunate in my advisor choice.
Whitney: Not my first reaction… more like what a PITA!
Scientist Mother: I struggle with the impolite thing. I don’t like to be rude.
CAE: Oh yeah… I definitely have anxiety! In fact before talking to Advisor, I discussed the situation with everyone else I knew. I was very worried.
Tanya: Sorry about that. I know that I get a bit jargon-y at times. I’ll work on that.
Chicklet: Yeah, it does feel good to get recognized. I still haven’t gotten to the point to where I speak up in meetings yet, though.
Alicia: Thanks 🙂
Aunt Becky: Well, that’s a relief! That makes one of us 🙂
Acme Girl: Well, thank you very much. I’ll take the compliment.
Echloe: Wow. That sounds very complicated.
Good for you for getting what you want and still being nice! 🙂