Keys to Success

RuPaul said it best, but here are a few more

Communication

The most paramount skill to have in this lab is the ability to communicate effectively. We have a large lab with upwards of 20 RAs and 2 graduate students at any given time, as well an army of collaborators at other universities. It is imperative to create a system that works for you and the lab so that everyone can stay on the same page.

If you have not heard of when2meet.com, it is your new best friend. When2meet allows individuals to record their availability to give a clear overview of times that fit most people's schedules. This is a great tool for organizing meetings or to quickly see who may be free to run participants during the week.

Doodle.com is another great way to schedule meeting times and RA shifts. It is especially convenient because you are able to cap sign-ups to a specific number of people. We use Doodle to determine RA shifts in the beginning of the semester. This way, we can ensure that there are only 5 RA's per shift, while avoiding the hassle of manually assigning work times to each student individually.

To reach people quickly, we use Slack. Slack is especially convenient because the app can be downloaded to your phone and laptop. Through Slack, you can direct or group message collaborators, and can organize conversations through channels.

Additional methods of communication can be found in the Online Communication tab.

Your success as the lab manager quite literally depends on your ability to coordinate and communicate. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Organization

Spreadsheets, spreadsheets, spreadsheets. It may go without saying, but without a solid system to organize your work you will find that things collapse pretty quickly. Document everything, and keep it stored securely. David has been my partner in crime this past year helping me structure the lab. Use him as a resource if you are having trouble finding certain documents or are stuck on organizational ideas.

Time Management

One primary challenge in this job is limiting your hours to 20 hours/week. There is always work to be done, but remember that you do not need to do it all at once. Budget accordingly and delegate the less demanding tasks to trusted undergraduates. Some weeks will be more participant-driven than others, so if you can save a job for a less chaotic week do so.

Keep that Energy UP!

This is a big one folks, as I am convinced that I would have been half as good at teaching preschool if it weren't for my daily dose of caffeine. Kids are ridiculously perceptive - they are the first to pick up on your mood and body language. We want participants to enjoy their time in our lab, and kids will be far more willing to participate (and will have more fun!!) if you are awake and on your A-game every day.