Navigating Decisions, Milestones, and Crossroads in Science

Milestones, crossroads, and decision points in one's career are exciting but can also represent stressors due to the repercussions and implications likely to be felt from making such a transformative decision. Thus, it is helpful to approach these situations systematically and with some understanding of the context. In this chapter, we set the stage and provide advice for navigating many of the common decision points faced in a scientific career. We discuss how to avoid common mistakes, when and how to switch advisors or projects, how to pivot to a new field or work environment, how to approach legal matters, and more. With a systematic approach and a basic understanding of the context and potential implications, it will be possible to navigate any of these common situations smoothly and to apply these principles to other junctures more broadly.