Key Words: academia, career advice, academic success, writing skills, networking, work-life balance, strategic thinking, boundaries, mentorship, professional development

In this conversation, I share valuable insights from my academic career, focusing on 5 key lessons I wished I had known when starting her career, and 5 things that served me well.

• Academia is not a meritocracy
• Understanding your institution's reality is crucial.
• Work allocation often lacks equity
• PhD training does not equate to writing skills for academia.
• Building an external network is essential for collaboration.