Why did you become a scientist?
This weekend my sister—I could, with justification, say my ‘kid’ sister—retires from the Royal Air Force.
She has served in the Falklands and nearly been blown up in Iraq. Her husband has served in Bosnia, and will be on active duty in Afghanistan next year. Our father spent 23 years in the RAF, and we grew up on or near airbase after airbase: sometimes within a scant 150 miles of the armoured might of the Soviet Union. It is a matter of record that I am proud of my father, my sister and my brother-in-law, and all that they have done.
Unlike most of my peer group at school I never had a satisfactory answer to the primary question posed by the careers advisors. I did consider joining the RAF (an obvious choice), but in the end decided against it because I didn’t think I’d be good enough. So I took ‘A’ Levels in the three sciences, and then, because I wasn’t sure what else to do, read Biochemistry at Oxford. Thence it seemed obvious that I should get my doctorate, and because I loved finding out how things work—taking them apart and trying to put them back together to gain an insight into mechanisms and processes—I did a couple of post-docs and a stint in industry: because they seemed interesting.
Maybe it was because I couldn’t think of anything anything better to do?
I love cell biology. I love trying to understand the function of proteins from their structure. I love the form, the symmetry, the spartan beauty of enzymic mechanisms. The perfect fit of an aromatic residue between two purines of RNA. The coordination of zinc.
I also love taking people and showing them something new: looking down the microscope and saying will you look at this! Taking another senior post-doc and her boss, and showing them the results of the transfection I’d done for them.
And that enthusiasm for the natural world, that wonder at its beauty and coherence, is what has kept me a scientist, is what makes me so eager and willing to infect the next generation of intellectual stars. Why, probably, the Principal of my girls’ school is keen for me to go in and talk to the leavers as they prepare for high school.
I still have this fascination, I still have this innate curiosity that makes me look at a new gadget and think but how does it work? But I think it is time to step back from the coalface, if you like, and see how I can share the love. Infect more people. Show them what a fascinating and wondrous world we live in.
I have an interview in London next week. I can’t say much about it, but it sounds interesting, and exactly the sort of thing I’d be good at. It’s not my ultimate destination, but it seems like a good route to take.
Just as I sat in the careers class all those years ago and made some sort of decision, even if I wasn’t quite sure where it would lead me, I’m turning off this road and taking another one. It’s a bit fogbound at the moment, but I’m confident it will clear.
Good luck with the interview, Richard. I’m presuming it’s a science-related job…?
I’ve heard several brilliant people say they couldn’t think of anything better to do than science. It is, perhaps, that there isn’t anything more appealing and exciting and profound than the pursuit and sharing of knowledge. All that’s sometimes left is taking the next step in the direction of what’s promising, being ‘confident that it will clear’ as you move along. I’m wishing you every happiness, Richard, and much success with your interview.
Thanks for the beautiful post. I can attest to the invigoration that a complete change in career can inspire, and even though it’s scary to turn away from something you’ve been pointed towards all your life, the pay-off can be enormous.
Good luck!
Yes, yes, that’s all very well, but are you going to shave off your moustache before the interview?
Zet hem op! (See elsewhere for translation)
Uhm, and what Henry said…
Thanks for the kind words.
And (un)fortunately, yes I’m going to shave. I don’t think drawing a ’tache on my passport photo will go down well.
I’ve just sent another 4 ozzbux. How much did you raise altogether?
So far Henry, I’ve managed $425 Australian, and the team’s on $910. Which isn’t too shabby.
@Stephen
yes, it’s science-related. We can talk at the rogue Fiction Lab :)
So far Henry, I’ve managed $425 Australian, and the team’s on $910. Which isn’t too shabby.
Good on yer. See if you can make it a round A$1000.
Remember folks, for each of my books sold during the month of November, one Australian Dollar goes to Richard’s Fighting Fund. You know what to do.
Alternatively you could spare yourselves the horror of Henry’s mind-farking romp through time space and thirty seven different species (at the last count) and just donate directly…
laughs
the horror of Henry’s mind-farking romp through time space and thirty seven different species
But Richard, you’re telling them the plot.
It was a moving post, and it made me think…. I love science but lately I have come to realise that maybe that love is a bit too consuming. You know, being able to both do science by a bench and have a functioning life outside of life? (or just not being tired all the time and thinking about how to solve that transformation…. or how to present next wednesday… or being a nice girlfriend ;) )
I didn’t have the legacy of my family doing the army route. Or even being professors or something like that, but it was fairly ingrained that I was going to go to university – early on. ah well, it’s for another blog post or somethin ;)
Enjoy England and the winter weather. and Good luck with the interview Richard!
Meanwhile, Richard, start with a nice flight. And I hope it brings you an outcome you really desire.
I am tremendously late (as usual) but this really is an excellent post. Well done to the serving members of the Grant clan, and best wishes for a safe tour for your BIL.
As for the rest of the post… it made me smirk. I too have often thought that I became a “scientist” because (a) it seemed interesting, and (b) I couldnt’ think of anything better to do, either. And yes, it’s hauled me around a bit, in and out of industry and to and from humans and worms… but ultimately has gotten me where I am now, through a series of events that make up a story far too tedious to go into in detail. I think I’ve arrived somewhere, but I’m not really sure.
Hm, I feel my own blog post coming on.
Late as I am, I’m glad the interview went well… interested to hear what and when, and how you will manage the London-Sydney commute.
R.
Psst.
Nice post, Winty.
Indeed!