by TF » Mon Jan 31, 2005 3:05 pm
Emil,
I totally agree with you in the respect that I need to know what makes me happy. But that's exactly my issue. I know the things I like to do in lab. I have been lucky enough to have been exposed to most of the duties that a PI would (writing grants, writing reviews, writing research papers, data anlaysis, data interpretation, giving oral and poster presentations, doing experiments, going to meetings, participating in the peer review process, even a small amount of teaching). Obviously there are certain things that people like more than others about the duties I mentioned. The question then becomes, what jobs are out there for someone who likes most of being a scientist, just not running experiments, teaching, or participating in peer review. I'm slowly amassing ideas and this place has basically confirmed many of the things I have thought. Which is great! I also wondered how any people here not involved in direct bench work got where they are. That's some pretty basic info. I think it would benfit many grad students to know, not just those who are interested in regulatory affairs for instance.
The other part of your reply, waking up in the morning and enjoying what you do, well, to me that is something I will only know when I am doing the job for a while. And that is something as you say, only I can determine. BUT, options and ways to acheive them are things that everyone who has gone through the transition can share with me and anyone else interested.
I do appreciate the effort you put in to writing me and fortunately, I am aware of most of things you wrote. We are in control of our destiny, but at the same time, most of us can't do it completely alone, and so here I am. No insult intended on my part.