On 6 June 2017, the Academy visited Glasgow for 'Shaping your career in research', an event for early career researchers to explore the career pathways available to them, develop new skills and hear about the future of research.

The day included a keynote session under our #medscilife banner on managing work/life balance, discussing how life at home can shape and influence your career at different stages.

There were also talks and workshops on the Scottish research landscape, funding, the future of research culture in the UK, pitching ideas, and using storytelling to discuss your work.

Key tips from our speakers:

• “Be persistent, resilient and know your value - I have learnt how to reject rejection!” – Professor Laura Machesky FRS FMedSci
• “I look out once or twice a year, as if standing on a beach: what is there that I want to do?” – Mr Damian Mole
• “Think carefully about job offers from other institutions. If the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, water your own.” – Professor Ian McInnes FRSE FMedSci
• “Be nice to your collaborators - you need them.” – Professor Eve Johnstone FMedSci

If you’d like to discuss your own experiences of a work/life balance, or learn more from others about how they manage theirs, we will be having a Twitter chat to discuss these issues from 12-13.00 on Wednesday 7 June. To join, follow @AMS_Careers on Twitter, and tweet us your thoughts using the #medscilife hashtag.