Shared Resources: Julie Randolph-Habecker

Julie Randolph-Habecker, Ph.D. is the Manager of the Experimental Histopathology Shared Resource for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.

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

I didn't really choose my career — it chose me. I was on track to become a principle investigator and chose my postdoctoral mentor accordingly. I learned a great deal about conducting focused experiments, writing papers, grantsmanship, etc. However, I loved to collaborate with many different investigators and came to be known as the go-to person for questions and help with histology and immunohistochemistry.

Because my mentor was a true mentor, she sat me down and had a heart-to-heart conversation about my career goals. She said I was excellent at writing papers and grants and she was sure I would become a successful PI. However, she knew I hated writing papers and grants and said that since this could be 80% of what a PI does, it would always seem like work to me. I had to admit she was right!

So we talked a great deal about what I love to do — teach, help folks figure out the best way to do experiments, come up with new techniques. She helped me focus on what I love and then look at what positions might fit. Fortuitously, the Hutch was looking to strengthen histology support through the Shared Resources and was looking for a staff scientist with pathology, histology, and immunohistochemistry experience. It was perfect timing!

I did struggle with the process and it was hard, however. I had always envisioned myself as a PI and I had worked very hard toward that goal. My mentor was incredibly supportive, as was my husband and family. When I let myself see that I was heading in a direction that was going to make me truly happy, it became easier.

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?

I went to a great school for undergraduate — Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. It is an excellent liberal arts school with outstanding faculty. There I received an excellent foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics while rounding out my education in other disciplines. The faculty there also prepared me for the rigors of graduate school.

I then attended The Ohio State University and completed a master's in Clinical Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Pathology. Both of these experiences, as well as some histology training in undergraduate, gave me the technical experience I need for this job. I had a wonderful Ph.D. mentor who was an excellent scientist and wonderful clinical pathologist, so I had exposure to both worlds. I originally chose Ohio State because they had a great Clinical Chemistry training program. It wasn't for me, however, but during that time I got to know my Ph.D. mentor so I stayed.

At the end of my Ph.D., I started looking for a postdoctoral fellowship. I looked for folks who would help me establish my own research program to become a PI. As I mentioned earlier, I also looked for someone who was well published, had a great grant record, and long history of providing mentoring to postdocs. I also looked at institutions with a good reputation for research.

Other training that has been invaluable is management training! Again, my postdoc mentor told me that no matter what job you get, you will most likely have to manage people. She allowed me the time to take all of the management courses available at Fred Hutchinson. I also recommend the book At the Helm by Kathy Barker.

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

When I applied to graduate school, they accepted three students out of a pool of over six hundred — so I guess you could say it was a bit competitive. I had done an internship in the Pathology Department as an undergraduate so they knew me and that improved my chances. The training in graduate school and my postdoc was rigorous and it was not uncommon to work an 80-to-90–hour week.

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

I was lucky in that I received scholarships and had some inheritance that paid for my education at Hiram College. During graduate school, I received a tuition waiver and a small stipend. I made it out of undergraduate and graduate school with very few loans. (Graduate stipends don't give you a lot to live on!)

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?

4.5 years of undergraduate (my internship was the extra 6 months), 2 years for my master's, 5 years for my Ph.D., and 4.5 years for my postdoc.

I used to think that the two years for my master's was a waste until I realize how much I learned during the training. The clinical chemistry knowledge has helped me understand the complete pathology picture. It also gave me experience in clinical laboratory management including CAP and CLIA regulations.

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?

My first job fell into my lap. I had the right qualifications for a new position at my institution. Because it was new, I even had a hand at writing the job description. The most difficult aspect was joining a group of clinical pathologists who did not understand the role of a research pathologist. I was also the first new hire in the department in fifteen years and I was the first female pathologist in the group. Luckily, I had very strong female faculty/scientist role models in my undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training. I also had great support from the Vice President of Shared Resources. My colleagues quickly learned that I was a bright scientist and effective manager with a lot to offer them.

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

I consider myself a professional collaborator. I love that I work with over 65 different labs that study everything from cancer, to infectious disease, to development. If you like to focus on one area — this is not for you.

You have to love to teach and work with technicians, fellows, students and scientists. You also need to be comfortable with being part of the team that makes the science happen. I am not usually the first or senior author on papers, however, my lab contributes to about fifty papers a year.

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

I am a firm believer that no experience is ever a waste! You never know when you will call upon the knowledge gained from any experience. If nothing else, the experience might teach you what you really want to do.

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

Overall, I love what I do and I am excited about coming to work every day. I love working with my technicians, who are all very bright. I also love collaborating with my colleagues and interacting with students.

I will admit that I am not a fan of some of the administrative things I have to do (like budgets). Also, sometimes I have to remind folks that my lab is a service but we are not servants. It is all part of the "education" process.

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

I do enjoy my work and sometime experiments require early mornings, late nights, and weekend hours. We are always busy in the lab and I could work a hundred hours a week and not feel caught up. However, I try to limit my time at work to about fifty hours a week. My husband helps to remind me! You do need a good balance to keep yourself sharp. If not, you run the risk of burning out. I try to exercise and engage in activities with friends and family to reduce stress.

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

You need a good support system. This should include folks who can help you with administrative help, human resources help, teaching help, as well as intellectual support. I also make the trainees teach me what's new in their fields so I can keep abreast of many different areas!

I have also found that if you are a good mentor to your staff, they will work very hard for you. I expect that sooner or later my technicians will move on. I have only benefitted by being part of the process by providing them with opportunities to learn new skills, take classes, etc. The more they learn, the more new things they bring to the lab. They are very creative — and I give them all of the credit. Then I take all of the credit for being a genius manager!

I also try to find technicians with a variety of experience. Since we deal with so many different projects, it helps if people can draw from different research and clinical experiences.

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

Some of the techniques in histology are a hundred years old. However, the applications are always changing. We are integrating more molecular pathology and more digital pathology into our group.

Anything else you would like to share?

When looking for training opportunities, do not just go with the "big name" institution or scientist. Your science "pedigree" is important but so is mentoring. You also cannot master every aspect of science. Do not be afraid to ask for help or look for colleagues who will collaborate.