General Topics

As an immigrant to the United State or elsewhere, what is your go-to source of information for accurate immigration information during this pandemic?

With borders being closed due to political and, health and safety reasons - this year has been particularly distressing for a lot of us. I found that as long as I had the correct information, even if it was not what I wanted to hear, I could start working towards a solution. For me, talking to competent HR personnel was the quickest way to find reliable information amidst all the hearsay and rumors. Besides the official webpages, some embassies increased their interaction with their nationals over social media (Facebook) etc. If you know of these resources would you like to share them with others who might benefit from it?

Virtual mentoring: What works and what doesn't?

Our work environments have changed a lot this year due to the pandemic. I would love to hear from everyone (students, postdocs, PIs) about their feelings on virtual mentoring. I have a fairly small lab group and although we have regular virtual lab meetings, the atmosphere is not the same as in-person meetings. I try to visit the lab when I can, but trips are usually short and awkward because of distancing, masks, and everything that goes along with staying safe from COVID.

It doesn't feel fair to my lab members that I'm not there to share 'tips and tricks' in the lab and provide feedback on troubleshooting (hands-on mentoring). I tell everyone that I am always just a phone call, Zoom, or text away. But this is an added barrier that many people are unwilling to cross. Please share what you think…