by Val » Thu Dec 02, 2004 1:47 am
Eric,
I live outside of the US, and it is easier for me to see some of shortcomings of the US society. It is over-competitive. There is a less number of "good" PhD-requiring jobs than of applicants. The society invents an arbitrary mechanism to lable a part of population "bad" and then discriminates against them. Currently, it is the idea that the one with the largest number of high-impact journal publications wins. However, there is a more basic mechanism according which people get the jobs. There is an old adage: "It is not what you know, it is who you know". When employer looks for an employee, the employer wants to feel that the successful applicant will help solve the problem of the employer and not be a hindrance. In other words, the employer looks for the capability to be able to relate to the employee. The employer looks for the employee among the pool of people with whom he is "chummy". People the prospective employees from the same social work will be reliable, as the employer can influence the employee through the social network if he misbehaves. The professional skills and capability are important, but they are less important than the ability of the employer to rely on the employee. Besides, in today's world any average person can do the job.
According to my observations, all people go through the three stages of their lives. At the first stage, everything is fine in their lives, and they have a job. They never suffer. Then the real world demolishes their piecful existence, and the people realise that the outer world is not friendly and their very professional existence was fragile. They are at high level of stress. (And this is where you are probably now). At the third stage, people start fighting for survival (they need to put food on their table and pay the bills, after all), and discover the truth. They need to have the attitudes/capabilities/skills which will make them useful to employers in this world.
Among the useful adjustements which people work out is the realisation that nobody will help you in your career besides you, and people start to develop the networks. They start going to the conferences and make themselves visible; they find the opportunities to do the work at work in which they are truly interested -- in this way, they became known for their capabilities to the prospective employers.
In resume, I would say that there are some people that imply or say that something is wrong with you... don't take it too close to your heart. There is nothing wrong with you. In fact, there is nothing wrong with whatever you do. If you take those words too close, they will destroy your mind and spirit. The strong spirit will bring you through obstacles to the series of the important satisfying job positions. Just be persistent, and take care of high level of your spirit.
Regards,
Val