We were lucky to catch up with Jenae Bluhm recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jenae, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
For some context, I’ll start by saying that I am a sexual health and safety researcher with a passion for bridging the gap between research and practice. Regarding specifically how I found my purpose, people will ask me this and sometimes I get the impression they are expecting a linear narrative.
In reality, I changed my college major multiple times, such as from Communication to Elementary Education. As a child, I had a lot of answers to what I wanted to be when I grew up including marine biologist, neonatal nurse, race car driver (don’t ask), and hair stylist. I would have never envisioned myself in my current position or circumstances. I mean, what child would say they want to be a sex researcher when they grow up (at least without the fear of getting in trouble)?
Amusingly, people will also ask how I got into this specific field and 15-year old me wouldn’t even drink Naked juice (because of its name). There actually isn’t exactly one thing that I can pinpoint as the reason I ended up researching what I do. In a nutshell, I was doing consent research for a professor I just kind of kept doing it and expanding my research “umbrella” to include related topics like sexual assault and sexual health. I did research that I was passionate about and found ways to apply what I was learning; research and reliable information should be accessible to everyone so it can benefit those who need it.
I also think I have always had some of the skills that have played into my accomplishments as an adult. I have always been social (which would often get me in trouble as a child) and I have always been a strong writer with a creative streak; I use those skills every day running my educational Instagram account, @birdsandbeesask.me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
What sets me and my account apart is the unique intersection where I find myself. As a nerdy researcher, I have my favorite statistical test and research database. However, I also have a vibrant and creative side, coupled with a love for pop culture. It surprises many to learn that I am a graduate of Brigham Young University and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s not common to come across many LDS sex researchers, particularly women.
Passionate about sexual health and safety, I bring a strong commitment to these areas in my work. I believe in the importance of ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and promoting reproductive justice for all individuals. Furthermore, I believe in the inherent dignity and equality of every person; everyone deserves to be and feel safe.
My goal is to share my knowledge and expertise with others, empowering them to make informed decisions aligned with their own values. I firmly believe in respecting individual beliefs and choices. Hence, my niche lies in being a sociological LDS sex researcher who strives to use an Intersectional lens, all while enjoying a good meme or two (or ten). In summary, my account stands out as a blend of sociological insights, LDS background, a passion for reproductive health and justice, and a commitment to human rights.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would definitely say that passion has played a huge role. Being passionate about what you do can, in my opinion, drive your dedication and success. I know it’s been said before that you should watch for what you can keep doing longer than everyone else and pursue it, if possible. As a nerdy researcher, I enjoy identifying relevant empirical literature and conducting regressions; not everyone does and that’s totally fine.
Networking has also been critical to my success. I used to work as a peer mentor to incoming first-year university students and I would always tell students that network is a crucial skill they need to develop before they graduate; many jobs never even get posted on job sites because the jobs are filled through word of mouth.
Finally, I credit much of my success to being creative and thinking outside the box. As someone with ADHD, I attribute much of my creativity and innovation to my neurodivergence. While being neurodivergent isn’t a choice nor a skill, one takeaway that I think is relevant to everyone is that just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean that it can’t be done or shouldn’t be done. Some of the coolest projects and collaborations I’ve been a part of have resulted from me doing something unconventional that turned out amazing.
We all have something unique to bring to the table. Saying “be yourself” is such a cliche but I think it’s very true in a lot of cases. Of course, being yourself doesn’t mean you are unkind or self-centered; authenticity should not come at the cost of accountability. Being authentic while building a career or pursuing a passion is definitely a balancing act: there are times when it’s in your best interest to conform and there are times when it’s in your best interest to stand out as a niche expert. That is one of the trickiest parts of the journey, in my opinion.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always open to discussing potential collaborations. My past collaborations have taken a few different formats. Most recently, a subsidiary of Simon and Schuster invited me to provide a sponsored book review so that will be coming down the pike soon. I have also done more collaborative posts (e.g., designing/captioning a post with folks from another IG account). In fact, as I write this, I am finishing a collaboration with Elizabeth Smart.
I will also add that I am open to research consulting work. My areas of expertise include topics related to sexual health and safety including sexual consent, sexual assault, sex ed, etc. If anything I’ve shared here piques your interest, feel free to email me at [email protected] – I’d be happy to chat!
Contact Info:
- Website: birdsandbeesask.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsandbeesask.me/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenae-bluhm/
- Other: My pronouns are she/her
