Elise Covic helps to design academic programmes at the College of the University of Chicago in Illinois. She explains what she does and how she gained the experience that would launch her career there while she was doing her PhD in computational neuroscience.

Credit: Avi Schwab

What do you do as deputy dean at the college?

When I was being recruited for this position, I was told I would be the mayor of a small, crazy town, and that I wouldn't know what problems would hit me when I woke up. I make decisions about awards for students and faculty, curricula development, development money, disciplinary actions. We have initiatives that help faculty members to help students to get the most substantive experience. I feel so lucky.

When did you first consider this kind of career?

By the second year of my PhD programme, I had begun to think that I didn't want a career that was research-based, but I didn't want to tell my principal investigator (PI). I was at a poster session, and my PI was proud of me, telling me I should talk to so-and-so about postdocs. Right then, I said, “We need to talk. I don't want my own lab.” He said, “I don't know if I can mentor you, but let me introduce you to some friends.” He directed me to the US National Science Foundation's deputy director — she invited me to call and e-mail, to come up with a plan.

What happened next?

I had an honest conversation with myself: what do I like to do? I love science. I love organizing. And I like to boss people around, so it was clear I could do administration. My PI said, “Why don't you run this undergraduate research programme with me?” He taught me how to administer grants and lab budgets, to deal with government agencies, to handle regulatory-compliance issues with the university. I had in-depth training. Other people could gain similar experience, if they ask the right question.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. See go.nature.com/1svOHlM for more.