Sofieke de Jonge

Dear Sister,

I wish someone had told me early on in my career that…

…‘every level has its devil’: once you reach one goal, another challenge is always waiting. Our work is never truly done, so it’s most important to enjoy the journey and the challenges, and to keep a healthy body and mind. For sustainable productivity, invest time in building resilience and intentionally adapting to career transitions.

I think the most important decision that determined my academic life has been…

…starting coaching, it helped me rediscover the joy in research. I learned to trust my instincts and interests to guide my choices. Pursuing both academia and coaching is unconventional, but it brings me happiness. It’s proof that careers can be flexible and unconventional if you’re open to experimentation and letting things unfold.

If I had to do it all over again, I would…

…start prioritizing physical and mental health even earlier. It’s the foundation for everything else.

For the future of academia, I wish for…

…many more women finding and sustaining joy in research, choosing to build careers in academia.

And for our Science Sisters:

… I encourage you to seek out support systems, peers, role models, mentors, sponsors and coaches at every career stage. These relationships will empower you to thrive in academia!