Developing a Thick Skin Posted on October 19, 2007 Ruth M. O'Hara (bio) talks about learning to deal with pink sheets and other reviews.

I also think that it’s important and needs to be emphasized that if you’re entering a career in academia where you’re planning and putting in grants and papers, you have to develop a very thick skin. People find that very difficult, but it is amazing how this is part of the process. It is not going to go away.

Individuals think, well, if I’m on a learning curve, it becomes easier but actually the degree of ease over the time of your career is not as much as you would think. You will still get those pink sheets on a grant you hate. You will still get reviews that you despise. There’s nothing you can do with that – that goes with the territory.
I think what improves is your ability to deal with those, understand those that are more or less rational, and to appropriately respond and to remove yourself emotionally. And if I could give a message to junior people, it’s don’t take it personally, this is all about process and all of the teaching and mentoring you will experience will be about giving you information that’s constructive.

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