Maika Mitchell
Dr Maika Mitchell is the Senior Director of RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery) Administration & Operations and a mother of three children, all embarking on their on STEM degrees. In an interview with our team, she tells us about her impressive career, the challenges she has faced as a “visible but invisible” brown/black Latina mother in STEMM, and how she managed “mom guilt”.
1. Please describe your job in one sentence.
As the Senior Director RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery) Administration & Operations I plan and direct all aspects of the RECOVER Clinical Science Core (CSC) staff and functions by developing strategies to harmonize and streamline processes across all management units, develop metrics to monitor organizational performance and finances and implement policies and procedures to enhance program quality performance.
2. What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why?
So many things come to mind, but the constant stream of thought is to ensure the next generation of women scientists have the support needed to achieve higher heights than my generation.
3. What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?
I want to say it’s more of a personal achievement. All three of my children are in or going to major in Healthcare/ STEM. As of this year my 15-year-old will be attending the John Hopkins University Pre-College for Chemistry/Biomedicine, and my 17-Year-old is attending Columbia University Pre-college for Neuroscience. Them seeing my passion and it turning into their passions gives me hope for the future. My goal with my children or mentees is not to make clones of myself, but help them carve out their own path.
I’ve filled several wishful bucket lists, but working for the CDC after the 9/11 attacks and working on Cancer Moonshot with Nobel Prize winners
4. What career obstacles have you faced as a mother in STEMM? How did you overcome them?
Mother guilt is the number one obstacle. I lost so much time in their early years working two and three jobs. It’s almost a sad joke. To work two or three jobs to just pay the childcare. Literally handing over my check. But now that they are older (27, 17, 15), they tell me how proud they are of me and see how hard I have and continue to work. I love my job and I saw myself being overlooked for my contributions. As a brown/black Latina, I am even more visible but invisible at the same time.
I overcame my mother guilt by working my way up to a certain professional role and working with a great institution to say,” I want to work from home one to two days a week.” This was before the 2020 pandemic. And it made my work-life balance so much better. I started to stand up for myself more and really network hard if I wasn’t “heard” in that role to find my “tribe”. Conferences continue to really be the venue to expand my scientific reach.
5. What was the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?
It’s a multistep response! I will title it ”birds of a feather flock together.” You should write a plan for a success that includes the following:
List five (5) people you need to remove from your life/circle. All of us have a person or a group that may be naysayers or holding you back. These are the individuals preventing your next level of success. It doesn’t have to be mean or a “meeting” but stop asking them for advice or telling them all of your dreams.
List five (5) you need to bring into your life/circle. These may someone that you are cordial or don’t even know yet! Back in my time before social media/internet, I made meetings with professors, Postdocs and alumni. Now I use twitter, LinkedIn and the professional society conferences to network. This is how you end up collaborating on research projects, journal manuscripts or your dream job!
6. How did MiS help you professionally and/or personally?
Being a member of Mothers in Science is a wonderful experience for individuals navigating the challenging intersection of motherhood and a career in science. This community provides a supportive and empowering space where mothers in the scientific field can connect, share their stories, and find solace in the shared experiences of others. Mothers in Science offers a wealth of resources, including mentorship opportunities, networking events, and educational materials, all aimed at fostering personal and professional growth. By joining this vibrant community, members gain access to a diverse network of like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of being a mother in the scientific community. Mothers in Science celebrates the achievements of its members and inspires them to pursue their scientific passions while embracing their roles as mothers.
7. What advice would you give to a mother in STEMM?
Don’t beat yourself up with the hours dedicated to work or trying to balance your passion for science and your passion and love for your children. It will never be 50/50 but vary and change daily sometimes hourly.