WOMEN IN PLANT BIOLOGY

Outside the Ivory Tower

Joining the “Real World”
I still remember the first time I set foot into the office building on Theobald’s Road, the London home of Elsevier’s life science review journals. A sign at the entrance said “Couriers please use back entrance for deliveries” and while moving slowly through the impressive entry hall, I kept wondering if I would be directed to the back entrance. The reason for my concern was that I did not naturally blend in with the smartly dressed crowd entering the building. With my cycling outfit, complete with helmet and backpack, I could easily be mistaken for one of the many cycle couriers operating in London. As a matter of fact, I was looking for Elsevier’s post room to hand deliver my written test for the editor’s position of Trends in Plant Science. At the same time I just couldn’t take my eyes off the glass structure opening up before me. Sunlight was streaming in through the glass roof, and eight floors of open-plan offices seemed to be suspended in mid-air. Glass footbridges spanning the hall at every floor reminded me of a scene from Star Wars.

The Path Ahead
It had all started two years earlier when I made the decision to leave the bench and actively consider alternative science careers. Until this point I had followed what seemed to be a pretty straight line, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and a PhD in molecular biology and plant science. Life at the bench seemed to suit me, so I moved from Germany to England for postdocs in plant science and animal cell biology. About one year into the second postdoc, I started to consider other options for the future. The next step in the natural progression did not seem quite so natural to me. I had been fortunate enough to work in excellent research groups, my publication record was nothing to be ashamed of, and I very much enjoyed working at the bench. Nevertheless I couldn’t quite see myself running a research group. So what alternatives were actually open to me besides running gels and preparing DNA?

Decision Time
My second postdoc position was at University College London (UCL), then one of the few places in the United Kingdom featuring a useful career advice center. I took a crash course on transferable skills, and with newfound confidence in my abilities I started browsing the job pages in the local papers. A part-time position for native German speakers caught my eye. Only one week and a short test later I was working a few hours a week translating medical and agricultural patent applications from German into English. This seemed to be a step in the right direction. I was using my scientific expertise but also had a first taste of working outside academia. However, most importantly, this helped me with further networking, and I soon had a second part-time position in publishing. The rest, as they say, is history. My postdoc position came to an end, and when the editor’s position for Trends in Plant Science was advertised I felt it had my name written all over it. The timing was perfect: The office was only 10 minutes away from my current location at UCL, and by now I had a real taste for working in publishing. As a student I had been a keen reader of TiBS (Trends in Biochemical Sciences), and the thought of possibly running a Trends journal was a dream come true.

Key Skills
Needless to say, the job interview went well (not turning up in cycling shorts certainly helped), and I am now looking back on six years of being at the helm of Trends in Plant Science. Within two years, I was fortunate enough to be offered a promotion to managing editor and currently manage 12 Trends editors, somewhat ironic considering that I had not been able to see myself leading a research group. My core job is still the running of Trends in Plant Science; however, I am also overseeing the recruitment, mentoring, and training of new editors as well as setting the business objectives for more senior editors. It has been an amazing journey, and although it might all sound like a natural path taken, I did have to overcome several obstacles.. To mention but one, I had to work hard to polish my English language skills, and I doubt that I will ever be finished learning on that front. If I had to nominate the three key skills that helped me succeed in publishing, they would be organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and diplomacy. My organizational skills have enabled me to make the most of opportunities and to take on new responsibilities when I thought I couldn’t possibly squeeze in any more tasks. Multitasking is simply the only way to survive the relentless schedule of a monthly publication, and diplomacy is very helpful for people management and when dealing with authors, referees, or other external contacts.

New Adventures Ahead
Some things have not changed since my first day on Theobald’s Road. I still enter the building in cycling shorts, weather permitting. My first look is still up to the glass roof every time I walk across the entry hall. Six years of searching for the latest trends, travelling to dozens of conferences, and meeting many hundreds of scientists have not dampened my enthusiasm for the job in any way. On the contrary, these are the highlights of the editor’s life.
I have described my path away from the bench into an exciting new career in publishing. When asked if I have ever looked back, I have always replied “not for a second,” and I still stand by that statement. This was the right move for me. I love my job, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that I am not just dreaming. However, this type of job is not for everyone. Working in publishing is relentless, the schedule can be punishing, and the deadlines very stressful. The ability to multitask and prioritize is vital, and good stress management is a must. I know that some editors, even after years in the business, still lose sleep over their work. This is very hard to sustain over a long period of time and can eventually lead to a breakdown.

To present a realistic picture of the publishing industry: This part of the business world is very competitive but also constantly evolving. Since my move into publishing, I have seen many changes, including several mergers and the introduction of new technologies. Many job descriptions have changed in the process, and positions that seemed permanent suddenly disappeared. At the same time new positions were created, offering new opportunities and challenges. The take-home message is to keep one’s ear to the ground, to monitor developments closely, and to try to always stay one step ahead of the game.

Susanne Brink
Editor, Trends in Plant Science
plants@elsevier.com