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Thread on sabotage references. There are still (many) academic PIs (and other bosses) who are angry when trainees go to nonacademic jobs (they have to or want to or should, all good reasons). Also bully advisors. Thus, bad references provided
1/n @AcademicChatter #PhDChat
1/n @AcademicChatter #PhDChat
I've seen sabotage references ~14 times. Usually another reference is from a peer in the lab (e.g. postdoc) so the "sabotage" is easy to spot. For some reason in academia, it's thought to be ok that the subject never sees their reference. Bad. Always ask for a written copy...
If you are not allowed to see the reference your PI (or anyone) will provide, I recommend not using them as a reference.
BTW - Ethics of reference giving: if you can't say the candidate is awesome, you should decline to provide a reference, not provide a bad or meh one
BTW - Ethics of reference giving: if you can't say the candidate is awesome, you should decline to provide a reference, not provide a bad or meh one
Meanwhile, what to do? I coach scientists to work on collaborative projects, join committees, volunteer as a leader and develop relationships with other PIs and scientists. Use peers in your lab. But start early! You can't do it in year 6 when you find out you won't have a ref
So when I see when of these, I do the favor of telling the applicant it's happening. I've also asked for other references (who sometimes confirm the PI is a bully upset with the trainees who leave academia or some other bad mentor phenotype) and then hired anyway with success
Also, learn to write your own great reference! As a template to provide for those writing references for you. Should list concrete accomplishments/outcome examples. I should really write a blog about this...I suggest all Addgenies keep a running list of these career details!
