Scientific Writing: Lewis Chang

Lewis Chang, Ph.D.

How did you choose your career? Was this an easy or hard process for you? If you struggled, how did you overcome these struggles?

In a word, crapshoot. My elder brother became a physician, so I thought, "Okay, I'll do something that can help people with their health." I became a pharmacist. But that didn't work out so well because I felt that disease prevention is more important and rewarding than disease treatment. So I changed my direction to nutrition. It wasn't a big struggle but that was because my parents were very supportive, and they allowed me to pursue what I'd like.

What kind of training, both formal and informal, did you receive to prepare you for your career? If applicable, how did you select where to attend graduate school? How did you choose your postdoc? How about any additional training? How did you choose what additonal training to pursue and how did you choose where to do it?

Formal: B.S. in Pharmacy, M.S., and a Ph.D. in a nutrition-related field. Informal: Selling dietary supplements before the formal education. I chose my Ph.D. program based on 1. the reputation of the program and 2. the location of the university (Would I like that city? Is it a city that's easy to get around? Can I get by without owning a car?). I learned both from conversations with my M.S. advisors and from reading materials.

How competitve and/or rigorous was the training for your career?

The Ph.D. program I chose was very rigorous. I received very solid scientific training, in biostatistics, and in research methods. My Ph.D. advisor made sure I abided with scientific and ethics principles. There was absolutely no shortcut.

In general, how much did the training cost? Was the investment worth it?

The Ph.D. training is 100% worth it. The cost was extremely high for the first two quarters until I found an RA position. After that, I reduced the academic cost significantly. Without the RA, I would not have graduated without tremendous debt.

How long did it take you to train? Was it shorter or longer than anticipated? If you had any setbacks, how did you deal with them?

M.S. (2 years); Ph.D. (6.5 years). The Ph.D. took longer than anticipated. The dissertation project turned out to be more difficult. No setbacks. I just needed more time to get things done. But it only enriched my scientific training. No regrets.

What was the process like to apply for your first job after your training was over? Was it easy or difficult? How did you cope with any difficulties? Did that differ from subsequent jobs you've had?

It was relatively easy. My background/training/field fit the company's need like a glove. So, they were happy to hire me. The only difficulty was family tragedy during job hunting. Fortunately, the hiring company was very understanding and gave me extra time to deal with the family issue.

What advice would you give to someone interested in following a similar career path?

Make sure you become the expert in biostatistics if your company is involved in scientific research (both basic science and clinical). Remember all the scientific principles. And don't take issues personally. A job is a job is a job. It's professional. Don't get too emotional.

What would you have done differently in preparing for your career?

Skipped my M.S. training and gone directly into the Ph.D. program.

How much do you like what you do? Why? Is it what you imagined it would be? If not, how have you adapted?

I enjoy what I do a lot. Why? It's intellectually very challenging. It fits my scientific training very well (and I have to use it every single day), so I don't feel like a fish out of water. It's very close to what I imagined it would be.

How do you achieve career-life balance? Is this easy or hard to do? How many hours do you typically work per week?

Not easy, but not very difficult either. One just needs to understand that there are always two sides of a coin. Don't just look at one side. There is always another perspective. I work 40–45 hours a week, but the commute is hard (2 hours a day on the road). But I make sure the time spent in the car doesn't get wasted; catching up with the world via NPR, or learning new languages while driving. It isn't easy, but it enhances my personal life.

What strategies have you figured out over time to help you succeed?

This is a very philosophical question . . . I think I have succeeded as a person. I have a job that helps people. Colleagues cherish my contribution. My family is happy that I do well. I have a nice house with a cute yard. I guess my strategies are: 1. there are already many things around us to be content about; 2. don't be greedy; and 3. help other colleagues at all times, including potential competitors. No reservation.

How do you see your field changing in the next 5–10 years?

My field is already changing constantly, which I think will simply continue that way for the future. Everyone is dealing with information overload.

Anything else you would like to share?

Life is wonderful. Be content. Be helpful.