Know what you really want to do, be firm and make informed decisions.This was the advice four female Ohio State professors gave to about 40 doctoral candidates at a workshop Saturday in Derby Hall.”Pursuing a Career in Academia: Issues for Women,” a panel discussion organized by the Council on Academic Excellence for Women, offered candid advice on such topics as making career decisions and negotiating contracts.The key to success is to find what is most right for you, said Jessie Au, a professor at the College of Pharmacy.”Ask yourself what is the most important thing for yourself, and what you are willing to give up,” she said.Emma Lou Norland, associate professor in the College of Education, pointed out the need to maintain self-esteem in a male-dominated area like academia.Women tend to be easily grateful for what is offered, but they should look at other opportunities, she said.Don’t sell yourself short, keep your dignity, and stand up for yourself, she told the audience.Susan Hannel, an audience member, agreed.”It’s important to be firm and aggressive in what you want,” said Hannel, a doctoral candidate in the history of clothing and textiles.”If I get an offer, I think I won’t decide early,” said Karla Sridhar, a doctoral candidate in policy and management, who expects to graduate this summer.”I will take all the factors into account and I will make sure that I will learn about the department, the interests of the faculty in the department, the average salary of my profession and so on,” she said. “I had not really thought about all of these in such a great detail before [this workshop].”Eaden Saw, a doctoral candidate in material science engineering, found Au’s advice, “Choose the battle to fight,” very helpful for her.”There are so many things happening in your daily life, but your time and energy are limited,” she said. “You have to focus your energy on the most critical issue [in your life].”The panel discussion was one of two workshops to help women students become informed and prepared before entering academia. The next workshop, “Balancing the Home and Career,” will be Feb. 20.