UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — “STEM is the way forward. STEM actually is the door. It’s the device. It’s the direction. It actually changes the way your brain thinks,” said Alaina G. Levine, president of Quantum Success Solutions, professional speaker, STEM career coach and author, during the fall 2024 A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lecture in Scientific Communication, held on Nov. 21 at Penn State University Park.
In her lecture, titled “Create Your Unicorn Career in Science Communication,” Levine spoke about how she used her background in mathematics to evaluate data and create her “unicorn career” in science communication.
Describing the two types of data she used, Levine said, “Intrinsic data comes from your head and your heart; it is about who you are as a human,” and “extrinsic data is about the opportunities, the organizations, the industries, the people, the career paths and even the jobs.”
Bridging these two types of data marketing, she added, is the bridge that describes “how you can help [someone] solve a problem with the spirit of generosity."
Blending personal anecdotes and nuggets of advice, Levine shared four tenets that guide building your unicorn career, ranging from recognizing that you belong to valuing science communications.
“Science communications is part of every single thing that you do, every output that you have; and when you realize that, you can leverage that power to actually build the joyous career that makes sense for who you are,” she said.
Closing her lecture, Levine said, “I don’t wish you good luck. I know you’re going to build your unicorn career in science communications in a way that is aligned with your best self and, in doing so, you will serve humanity. So, I thank you.”
In addition to her lecture, Levine also participated in a breakfast for women in science and engineering and a lunch-and-learn session on science communication careers, and she led a workshop for the Penn State community on public speaking.
Levine is the author of “Networking for Nerds” and the forthcoming “Create Your Unicorn Career!”
About the Johnson Lectureship
The A. Dixon and Betty F. Johnson Lectureship in Scientific Communication supports an annual lecture in scientific communication in the Eberly College of Science. The lecture was established in 2005 in memory of A. Dixon Johnson, a former University director of public information. Johnson worked as a Penn State science writer and public information director for many years.