Charlie Wray: After 10 years in academic medicine, I’ve learned a few things

Charlie Wray, Associate professor at UC San Francisco, shared on X:           .

After 10 years in academic medicine, I’ve learned a few things – often by messing up or making assumptions. Here’s a quick on 5 things I’ve learned that may be helpful for the budding academic.

Tip 1: Intelligence isn’t the only driver of success.

Early on in my career, I thought it was the smartest people who got ahead. Over time, I’ve learned that’s not always the case.

Tip 2: It’s OK to ask questions.

I think most people think asking for help is a sign of weakness or an inability to understand. After I became comfortable saying ‘I don’t get it’, my life got much easier (and no one seemed to care).

Tip 3: The small things end up mattering in the long run.

As someone who interviews applicants, reviews papers, and makes judgements on people and decisions, I’ve found that when people get the small things right, I can usually count on them to get the big things done.

Tip 4: The most understudied, but more important things you can learn is to be a better writer.

Yeah, you didn’t go to school to be a writer, but it’s how we trade ideas and have conversations in academics. Failing to do this well, puts you at a disadvantage.

Tip 5: Embrace the hard or boring stuff.

Some of the most successful people I know in academics are those who stood up when no one else would and took on the un-sexy project or the seemingly impossible responsibility.

Source: Charlie Wray/X