Your undergraduate major is not deterministic for a scientific career. Professor Koenen studied economics and took no biology or genetics courses as an undergrad. The quantitative skills from her non-science major proved highly valuable later, showing that diverse educational backgrounds can be an asset.
A catastrophic setback, like an advisor's dismissal, can force a researcher into an entirely new field. Professor Koenen's unplanned pivot into behavior genetics became the foundational pathway for her entire career, demonstrating how unexpected disruptions can lead to greater opportunities.
When evaluating potential interns, academic leaders value self-starters over students who simply follow instructions well. Proving you can learn a new skill independently or have pursued a project on your own is more compelling than a perfect transcript. Initiative signals a capacity for real research contribution.
Graduate students shouldn't feel confined to their advisor's specific research agenda. While fulfilling her lab duties, Professor Koenen proactively initiated her own research on PTSD at a different institution. This demonstrates the importance of taking ownership of your interests, even if it means looking outside your immediate environment.
Negative experiences in the workplace can be more instructive than positive ones. An internship Professor Koenen hated taught her the crucial lesson that her work needed personal meaning. Learning what you don't want to do is a highly efficient way to narrow down your true career interests, making such experiences valuable, not a waste of time.
Young scientists can't map a career in a field that hasn't been invented. The large-scale genomics work Professor Koenen now leads was technologically impossible when she began her Ph.D. This highlights the need to focus on foundational skills and adaptability over rigid, long-term career plans in rapidly evolving scientific areas.