2 Years After My Stanford PhD: Lessons Learned

The past 2 years have been a period of rapid change and growth. In summer of 2023 I graduated from my NeuroAI PhD into a difficult job market, and was lucky to find a job that I was excited about and which seemed like the right fit. The next 12 months were a period filled with change, learning and adaptation, which culminated in a job transition to my current position.

Here are a few things I’ve learned and internalized as guiding principles and practices for the next phase in my career:

Clear and concise communication is key #

Human communication is messy, and lossy. We think, listen, speak and type at very different speeds. Conveying the right message requires good understanding of your audience. In industry, chances are your audience is broader and more varied than in academia.

Say exactly what you need, in as few words as possible. Know when and with whom you can or need to be more verbose.

On the receiving end, assume best intent from others. Succinct communication can sometimes come across as harsh. Assuming people mean well, and are on your team is often the best starting point.

Be biased towards action. Don’t let fear paralyze you. #

Most of the things that sit at the edge of growth make us feel vulnerable or afraid. Embrace that fear, lean into it and do the thing. You’ll probably be surprised at the outcome. You might not get it right the first time, but the initial exposure will break any preconceptions you might have had about it, and make it easier the next time around.

Fear is associated with risk and consequences. Calculating the latter two and actively deciding not to do something based on those are perfectly valid reasons! But don’t forget that your mental model of the consequences might be overblown.

Fast iteration compounds exponentially #

Cold starts are tough. But quickly having something concrete to point at gives you a reference for what to do next. For technical projects, I’ve learned to value having an “always functional prototype”. Scope work into digestible units that will not break your prototype when deployed. This tightens your iteration loop, and before you know it you’ll have a very polished product.

This one also applies to yourself and your daily habits, by the way. Start simple, try to add one or two things to your routine, and be consistent for a couple of weeks. Reflect on what works, change what doesn’t, and maybe add something new for the next month.

Seek and value feedback #

Feedback is one of the cornerstones of personal growth. We cannot see ourselves and our actions as they play out in the real-world in the eyes of others. Perhaps you’re in a position where regular 1:1s and performance reviews are routine, and you get feedback at a regular cadence. That’s great! Listen, distill, and take action on the areas of growth you want to work on. Circle back with these people to learn if your plan has been effective.

If you’re not in a position where feedback comes to you automatically, don’t be afraid to seek it out. Ask the people you work with. You can let them know in advance what particular areas you’re working on and would like their take on. This works best with people you work closely with and have developed a close connection with.

Read more #

Coming back to long-form reading after a few years of reading mostly research papers or short-form technical social media was a challenge. My attention span was not what it used to be. I needed to be either fully engaged in deep study mode, or superficially attentive to 140 characters. There was no in-between. Slowly, I’ve been able to build that habit back. Setting some time aside to read in a physical medium gives my mind space to think beyond my daily work. It allows me to draw connections between what I’m reading and what I’m currently going though in life, and opens the door for more creative thinking.

Breathe and meditate #

Few things have changed my life as much as adding meditation to my daily morning routine. I approached it with curiosity 8 years ago, but never really built it into a habit until about 3 years ago. Giving myself the space to observe my mind before starting my day, and sometimes again in the afternoon, reminds me to stay in-touch with how I engage with the world and myself throughout the day.

Design your life, one day at a time #

Designing your life can seem like a daunting task. How are you supposed to map out your entire life when it is constantly changing? Following a recommendation from my coach, in addition to my daily meditation, I also try to start my days with a daily design. It’s written in past tense, as a retrospective on the day, but before any of those things actually happen. It makes my tasks and interactions intentional, and sets the stage for how I will engage throughout.

Make time for what’s important: health, family, energy #

If you’re in the midst of the most productive years of your life, and in particular live in an environment obsessed with optimizing your output, it’s easy to get sucked into an intense work rhythm. It’s exhilarating to be around a community of highly driven people. But do not forget to set time aside for what is really important. Stay healthy. Eat well. Get enough sleep. Exercise. Stay in touch with your loved ones. Partners, family, friends. We get a finite amount of time with these people and they are your biggest supporters.

Celebrate your wins, and don’t forget to have fun #

It’s sometimes hard to cheer oneself on. I’ve never been one to pat myself in the back. But taking a moment to pause, reflect and recognize your achievements can go a long way in keeping you motivated and engaged in work and life. It is also a great moment to share with your community.

At the same time, don’t forget to have fun! You are working incredibly hard, and you take life very seriously. But keep making space to disconnect and recharge.