My first, real postdoc offer came after a few major rejections. It’s the best job offer that I will ever get because of the impact it had on my psyche. I was filled with relief, excitement, and disbelief. I had done it! Until it happens you really don’t know that it will happen.

It was MAJOR. It was the perfect postdoc too. The experiment I wanted to work on – that’s rare! The ONLY postdoc option that year which was in the right direction for my career.

The professor was nice. I liked him!! That is also rare. Was the world kind to me after all? Someone cared enough to give me a job. It was unbelievable. I turned slowly to my Ph.D. sibling, Brian, and said in an oddly calm voice, “I got the IceCube job.”

I felt exhilarated saying those words. No offer has or can make me as happy as I was that day. It was amazing. Brian was so happy for me but he looked a bit worried as well because he knew that I had been thinking about transitioning out of academia.

At that moment, though, what mattered was I got the job! I got up and started walking briskly to my advisor’s office. I had to tell her! This would mean more to her than anyone else. I was so happy that I was bearing this news. Excited to make her proud. I burst into her office and blurted it out.

She WAS so happy! We hugged. I was so, so excited and so was she. She asked, “Are you going to take it??” I said, “I think so!” And I really did want to at that moment. It was the perfect academic move and dream postdoc for me, making it the best job offer of the time.