Edith Chen
Interview Posted By: Ashley Smith
1. Can you tell us a little about your background? i.e. Where you grew up, what education do you have, a summary of your resume, did you always want to do what you are doing now, when did you start to become interested in STEM, what internships/ volunteering
I grew up in Miami. I got my undergraduate degree at Harvard, and went to graduate school to get my PhD at UCLA. Now I am a professor at Northwestern. Since I was in high school, I have always loved science. I competed in science fairs when I was in high school, and also got to work in a research lab as a high school student, and that sparked my interest in science. I have researched many different things across my career, so that part has changed a lot, but my love for research and science has stayed the same.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a professor, which means that most of my job is doing research and then I also teach as well. On the research side, I conduct science experiments, oversee a research lab, write grants, and write research articles. On the teaching side, I teach undergraduate lectures, and I also run smaller seminars for graduate students.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I do research in science. My degree taught me how to do research, and I do that every day in my job.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
In my experience, the challenges have been more subtle experiences of not being included or being overlooked for something, rather than blatant, deliberate discrimination. I think that women are sometimes not included as much in 'hallway talk' or in going out for a beer after work, and this is sometimes where the beginnings of ideas or decisions for a department or university get made. My advice is to not be shy about connecting with others in your organization – network connections really matter.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part is making a scientific discovery. I like when an article gets accepted for publication, or when a grant gets funded. On a day-to-day basis, I also like lecturing to undergraduates. Perhaps the worst part of my job is all the meetings I have to attend (that I didn't realize was going to be part of my job as a scientist).
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
It is a challenge. I work hard to make my personal life (I have a husband and one son) an equal priority to work. That means that I don't stay as late at work anymore as I used to, and that I don't accept invitations to give talks (which would involve travel and being away from home) as much as I used to. Each person has to set the balance that feels right for them, and as long as you are happy with the balance you have set, there is no one right way to do things.
7. What do you define success as?
Professional success to me has meant publishing in the top journals in my field and having my grants funded (which means that my research is being recognized as good).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Persistence
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I had a pediatrician who was a mentor to me in graduate school. She taught me about balancing a professional and personal life. She had a husband and 3 daughters, was highly regarded as a researcher and also saw patients clinically. She always managed to be there for both her daughters and her patients. I admired that so much in her. She was a very giving person, and taught me that you can be excellent in your career without having to sacrifice your family, and that good (not just selfish) people can be successful too.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Do what you want to do in life, and don't be driven by others' expectations of you or others' wishes for you. Find the thing that makes you happy in life, and go after it!
I grew up in Miami. I got my undergraduate degree at Harvard, and went to graduate school to get my PhD at UCLA. Now I am a professor at Northwestern. Since I was in high school, I have always loved science. I competed in science fairs when I was in high school, and also got to work in a research lab as a high school student, and that sparked my interest in science. I have researched many different things across my career, so that part has changed a lot, but my love for research and science has stayed the same.
2. What exactly IS your job? What do you do on a day to day basis?
I am a professor, which means that most of my job is doing research and then I also teach as well. On the research side, I conduct science experiments, oversee a research lab, write grants, and write research articles. On the teaching side, I teach undergraduate lectures, and I also run smaller seminars for graduate students.
3. How does STEM relate to your job?How do you use the information you learned from your degree in your job?
I do research in science. My degree taught me how to do research, and I do that every day in my job.
4. Have you faced any discrimination/ challenges being a woman in a stem field? If so, how did you deal with it? Do you have any advice for up and coming women in STEM?
In my experience, the challenges have been more subtle experiences of not being included or being overlooked for something, rather than blatant, deliberate discrimination. I think that women are sometimes not included as much in 'hallway talk' or in going out for a beer after work, and this is sometimes where the beginnings of ideas or decisions for a department or university get made. My advice is to not be shy about connecting with others in your organization – network connections really matter.
5. What is the best and worst part of your job? What do you look forward to in your job on a day to day basis? What do you wish you could change?
The best part is making a scientific discovery. I like when an article gets accepted for publication, or when a grant gets funded. On a day-to-day basis, I also like lecturing to undergraduates. Perhaps the worst part of my job is all the meetings I have to attend (that I didn't realize was going to be part of my job as a scientist).
6. How do you balance your work and personal life? Any secrets or advice you’d like to share?
It is a challenge. I work hard to make my personal life (I have a husband and one son) an equal priority to work. That means that I don't stay as late at work anymore as I used to, and that I don't accept invitations to give talks (which would involve travel and being away from home) as much as I used to. Each person has to set the balance that feels right for them, and as long as you are happy with the balance you have set, there is no one right way to do things.
7. What do you define success as?
Professional success to me has meant publishing in the top journals in my field and having my grants funded (which means that my research is being recognized as good).
8. What is one personality trait that you think is universally important for a successful career?
Persistence
9. Who was a mentor to you throughout your career? (can be more than one!) What did they teach you? How did they impact your life?
I had a pediatrician who was a mentor to me in graduate school. She taught me about balancing a professional and personal life. She had a husband and 3 daughters, was highly regarded as a researcher and also saw patients clinically. She always managed to be there for both her daughters and her patients. I admired that so much in her. She was a very giving person, and taught me that you can be excellent in your career without having to sacrifice your family, and that good (not just selfish) people can be successful too.
10. What do you think is the best advice you've ever received ? What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance? What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to us?
Do what you want to do in life, and don't be driven by others' expectations of you or others' wishes for you. Find the thing that makes you happy in life, and go after it!