Soft skills to be happy and productive in science / academia

Is being a successful academic just about working hard and getting publications? Nope! Well, a good work ethic and publication output are important. But there’s so much more to surviving and thriving in academia than just having a good CV.

I’ve been an academic for over 20 years, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about why some academics thrive while others struggle. I don’t claim to have all the answers (actually, in true academic form: I mostly just have questions), but I wanted to share my thoughts and observations with you.

Therefore, the purpose of this course is to provide an overview of “soft skills” that are important for a successful and satisfying career in academia. You don’t have to take this course as an Absolute Truth; instead I hope that you find the discussions to be inspiring and thought-provoking. Many decisions in academia are lifestyle choices, and therefore I hope that this course will help you reflect on your own choices, preferences, and goals.

In addition to the video lectures, the course comes with an 80-page ebook (pdf format) that provides additional details about each topic.

If you are in academia or are considering a career in academia, then I hope you find this short course informative and useful!

Rating Distribution

• 1 stars: 1 votes
• 2 stars: 4 votes
• 3 stars: 12 votes
• 4 stars: 92 votes
• 5 stars: 233 votes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!