I found this interesting article about one man’s experience doing a PhD. Some parts are amusing, but most of it is depressing. However, I think it offers an alternative view to the jolly life of doing a PhD. Here’s a quote:
“A PhD is not an extension of a Masters, or a super-super-BSc. It’s a qualification to conduct research. I’ll repeat that again because its important: it’s a qualification to conduct research. Therefore, the whole thing is not about actually solving a problem but the process you go through.”
Here’s another:
“And you are on your own. There is no team, no one to work with. It’s particularly lonely and, in the end, no one will actually care about your research except yourself (and, by the end, you probably won’t care either).”
" it’s a qualification to conduct research."
Maybe that should have beem: “it’s a qualification to conduct research in Academic circles.”
(and a disqualification to do research in industry)
I actually learned that although the research is on my own…without others my individual achievement would be nothing. My work is the product of the time and care of many people in ways I can never clearly see.
I came into my work trying to learn and do everything myself and learned that the greatest researchers are those who can “get through with a little help from our friends” (bad Beatles reference).
Optimization of time and efforts means knowing what you are good at and finding those who can work with you to supplement what you are not.
Finally, I learned humility and kindness can go farther then even a Nobel nomination can, because science is ultimately about human relationships.
Great tips Michael and welcome to NN. I need to be a bit more proactive when it comes to meeting fellow scientists. I’ve sort of been forced to do so recently because I ran out of some reagents. Even then, it’s kind of strange to only talk to someone when you need something from them. I think I need to take more coffee breaks.
Thanks..and totally, I have the same issue still, about talking to people only when I need something. I try to remember that everyone I think feels this way, so I try to introduce myself and ask a question or two from ther person to let them know that I am around if they need something or want to chat.
It would make for an interesting blog post though, the subversive social habits in a lab…like, what happens if you meet someone, say hi get a reagent, then you see them every day in the hall like you have for the past year…do you now have to say “Hi!” every time? It is interesting how these things work…