How to: give a chalk talk
Recruitment season is in full swing, and graduate students and post-docs are beginning to visit departments vying for academic jobs. The first step to secure one of these jobs, especially in molecular biology and biochemistry departments, is to give a seminar based on your work. Generally, this is easy, as the candidate has likely given this talk several times. And they've practiced. Nothing too new here (although like every step of the process, you need to nail this talk). However the next step -- the chalk talk -- is much more unknown, and strikes fear into the hearts of candidates everywhere [insert dramatic music here]. What is the chalk talk? What are you supposed to talk about? What's the point? And, most importantly, how do I nail it? Read More...