Success in science requires a solid background in a scientific discipline in addition of extensive laboratory experience. However, for scientists to develop into accomplished professionals, a wide range of "survival skills" also are needed. These skills can be divided into three categories: communications (e.g. the ability to communicate both orally and in writing), economic issues (e.g. securing employment), and personal development (e.g. managing time and stress). While higher education focuses almost exclusively on the content of the scientific discipline and on research methodology, little attention is paid to those skills that can make the difference between technical and creative competence and success. This award is to enable (1) development of a comprehensive series of workshops on survival skills; (2) production of materials and relevant literature to assist instructors in higher education to teach their students these skills; and (3) support of workshops to disseminate this information to faculty members from a wide range of institutions so as to enable other educational programs to initiate similar courses. Evaluation will be carried out for the materials and workshops to assess the success of these activities. Special emphasis is being placed to improve access for under-represented groups. Providing a solid foundation in career skills for women and ethnic minorities may play a pivotal role for ensuring their successful entry into the scientific profession. An important benefit of increasing the diversity of scientists while maintaining their quality is the incorporation of a diversity of approaches to scientific problems which can only serve to improve science.
