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Gain Knowledge, Gain Power: How to Invest in Yourself in a Time of Crisis

An image of a chalkboard with the word "knowledge" written it white chalk and outlined in pale blue surrounded by chalk arrows pointing outward from the text.

Recent cuts to the NIH, CDC, NOAA, and other federal agencies that support scientific research in the U.S. have thrown the scientific community into uncertainty and chaos. Careers have been destroyed overnight. Thousands have lost their jobs or their funding, potentially destroying decades of work that may have led to the next breakthrough or cure. Promising young PhD students have had their funding pulled, threatening the next generation of scientists. In addition, those who work in support roles, including administrators, research coordinators, analysts, and medical writers, are also feeling the sting. 


The censorship of scientific data is arguably even more concerning, as is the coercion of institutions of higher education and attacks on libraries and museums. At the same time, there are worrying indicators suggesting that intelligence, in the form of critical thinking and problem-solving, is in serious decline. Taken together, it is indisputable that there is a war being waged against knowledge itself.


So what can you do to resist this information war? 


Instead of sinking into despair, we can all use the time we have to gain more knowledge. After all, knowledge is the one thing that can never be stolen. And that’s why those in power are so afraid of it.


We’ve put together a list of ways that we all can empower ourselves by learning new skills and branching out across disciplines. The coming years will require adaptability and resilience, and we can all work on building those skills today. The following domains may be especially useful in the years ahead:


  1. Analytical skills. Have you always wanted to learn how to code, or how to program? There are plenty of free training resources available.  Not so good with statistics? Follow along with MIT’s OpenCourseWare YouTube series and brush up your skills. Never really got the hang of Excel? There are free videos for that too. Today, information is power, and learning how to analyze and interpret data will continue to be an essential skill. Even if computational skills do not play a key role in your field, harnessing the power of technology will never be a detriment. And as artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in most professional fields, those who can understand and harness AI will have the advantage.


  1. Leadership skills. Many of us who work in the sciences are not keen on leading others. However, these skills are incredibly valuable on the job market, and you don’t need to immediately move into a management role to gain experience. You can read about different leadership models, particularly those that are designed to respond to VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) conditions. These include agile leadership, adaptive leadership, transformational leadership, and servant leadership. Even if you never find yourself in a leadership role, understanding these models can be very useful in day-to-day interactions. And you can practice your leadership skills by volunteering in your community, bringing together a small group around a shared interest or goal, or organizing a local event. 


  1. Deep thinking. The digital world, and particularly social media, forces us to become grazers of knowledge; read a little here, watch a video clip there, and move on. I think of this mode as “grazing” because of its aimlessness and lack of deeper engagement. And it’s very easy to fall into this mode and become trapped in it. 


There is nothing inherently wrong with this way of experiencing the world, and it certainly serves a purpose; however, it is easy to become a prisoner of your own attention span, and social media is designed to encourage addictive behaviors. So if you find yourself in a downward spiral of doom scrolling, stop, put away the electronic devices (excluding reading devices like Kindle and Nook), and read a novel, watch a film, or better yet, see a theatrical performance, attend a concert, or visit a museum. The point is, find something that you enjoy and that requires your sustained attention. 


Challenge yourself to engage with content that forces you to see from new perspectives and think critically about the world around you. Humans have always had to navigate through difficult times. Your local library is full of texts that are capable of inspiring, comforting, and guiding you if you only take the time to disconnect from the endless churn of the news cycle. 


  1. Self-sufficiency. We’ve all become aware of the deep and troubling uncertainty about the prices of everyday consumer goods. Learning skills like gardening, carpentry, home repair, and basic first aid is a great way to boost your self-confidence and to insulate yourself and your community from economic instability. Not everyone has the resources to start their own homestead, but there are small ways you can prepare yourself for a disaster should it arrive. At the very least, ensure that you have access to basic emergency supplies like a flashlight, radio, shelf-stable food, water, a first aid kit, and any medications you require. Ready.gov recommends that all families should have enough food and water for several days in case of an emergency.

 

  1. Certifications and other credentials. If you have the resources to pursue continuing education, there are many opportunities to expand your skillset. Certificate programs demonstrate learning and are usually less costly than pursuing higher education. Below is a list of programs that may be of interest to our readers:



This is only a short list, and you can use Google or Chat GPT to find exactly what you are looking for. 


The bottom line is, now is the time to invest in yourself. Many of us are tired, burnt out, and feeling a sense of hopelessness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can all resist by pursuing a broader understanding of the world around us, and that’s a priceless possession that no one can ever take away. 


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© 2025 by M&D Science Consulting and Communications, LLC

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