By Colin D. Weekes, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Colorado Denver
My first day as a junior faculty member was filled with joy and anxiety. I had attained my first real job in my chosen field after completing 15 years of training. As I sat at my desk looking out at Pike’s Peak in the distance, I wondered if I would actually be able to accomplish the goals I had set for myself. Not only was I starting my first academic position, but I also had moved my family from the east coast to Colorado. It was an exciting but apprehensive time. However, I was fortunate to join a well-established team of investigators who have facilitated my professional growth.
My career focus is on the application of developmental therapeutics to gastrointestinal oncology with an emphasis in pancreatic cancer. As such, I have a translational research lab, and I also attend a combined developmental therapeutics and gastrointestinal oncology clinic once per week. My clinical research focuses on phase I/II clinical trials. The ultimate goal of my laboratory research is to develop molecularly based strategies to be implemented into early-phase clinical trials for pancreatic cancer.
Given the complex nature of my career goals, my program leader suggested that I develop a timeline of milestones that I should aim to reach in the first three years of my faculty appointment. Part of her intent with this exercise was to help me organize my laboratory endeavors compared with my clinical research efforts. The other component was to ensure that I would be in an appropriate position for a promotion if I met my goals in a timely manner. At first, I was a little overwhelmed with the thought of working for a promotion within the first month of my new position. However, in hindsight, this was some of the most beneficial time that I spent in the first weeks of my appointment. I routinely refer to this template to make sure that I am on track to achieve my long-term career goals.
Time management has been a challenge when balancing my responsibilities as a clinical investigator and managing a laboratory. I am privileged to be part of a program that has an extensive, well-trained clinical research support team that helps me conduct clinical research efficiently. However, even with this support team in place, I find myself doing some clinically related work on a daily basis. Establishing daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists helps me stay focused and on target with the completion of necessary tasks.
My role as a manager has been one of the most difficult challenges that I have faced during this transition. People-management skills are clearly not a part of the standard medical school curriculum. I had managed a group of interns as a senior resident, but somehow this was different. Creating a setting for folks with different mindsets to come together for a common goal is demanding. Balancing different personalities and remaining on good terms with everyone can be difficult at times. I also have had the opportunity to hire and fire people during this initial year. It was at that moment that the initial timeline that I created for myself became quite useful. It enabled me to remove myself from the emotional aspects of the situation and focus on what was necessary to attain my goals and ultimately support the livelihoods of those individuals working in my lab. I also am thankful that I was able to discuss these challenges with my program manager, who assisted me in handling the situation as amicably as possible. Prior to this appointment, I had little experience in a managerial role. It has been tricky finding a balance between directing the individuals in my lab and still giving them an appropriate amount of autonomy. Providing clear expectations and setting reasonable goals while fostering individual thought is paramount to developing a pleasurable and productive laboratory environment.
Overall, I believe my transition from fellowship to junior faculty has been successful. There were a few unforeseen challenges to overcome, but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I have experienced some unusual events during the first year of my faculty appointment, but I feel that such experiences are fairly standard. I have found that persistence, communication, a clear focus, and laughter help me through the difficult times.
