What really struck me is how, despite grant/paper rejections and all the busywork, you can still say so clearly: this is what I want to do. It genuinely moved me. How have you managed to sustain that love and curiosity for research over the long run?
Thank you for this post and blogging overall. I thought about this question seriously a few years ago. For me, it could be writing, but I do not consider this a viable source of income. I could see myself working with young horses, and I returned to equine work several years ago after a long hiatus (during university, my PhD, and while finding stability in my career). However, it is hard for me to imagine myself outside of research. Even if I imagine myself working in agriculture, which also seems quite inspiring, I would stay in touch with fundamental science.
Thanks for writing. Yes, I think it is good to ask this question. And if the answer is not "what I'm doing" that is equally useful. And, yes, I do understand the draw of research. It's what makes it worthwhile....
Exactly right! I thought I had landed the dream job after years of wonderful field work. However, it was all Adminstration, difficult decisions balancing the budget and upsetting people. I hated directing instead of team work and left after a year.
Thanks for sharing; this is interesting to hear. I guess what you don't know if there is something you'd really like better until you've tried it. Once you have tried it out, then you will know.
I feel like I'm asking myself this question all the time now as AI changes how I do my job -- do I still love this more than anything I've done before? Yes. Is there something else out there I might love more? Possibly. As an artist who didn't go into academia, I have a lot of options, which, like academia, always involve a trade-off between time spent working a job (even a pleasant one) and time spent working on art. It's never the art I question (okay, sometimes, but I don't think I could ever stop writing poetry because poetry will never stop wanting me to write it). It's the thing I trade for time to work on what I love. And honestly, I'm at a point in my career where I have a lot of options for what to trade for more time writing, which is a ridiculously lucky, privileged place to be.
Thanks for writing. Yes, as another comment said, you never really know if there isn't something you'd like even better until you try. But I think it's positive to recognize that the place we are is a good one. No real desire to change. That is indeed a position of privilege.
It’s precisely these disappointments and setbacks that make our successes all the more joyful. What I find most appealing about this job is the considerable freedom it gives me in terms of time and space to pursue what I love, along with the way it helps me focus more on my own growth.
What really struck me is how, despite grant/paper rejections and all the busywork, you can still say so clearly: this is what I want to do. It genuinely moved me. How have you managed to sustain that love and curiosity for research over the long run?
That's a good question, and I don't have a great answer. I'll think about it..... :)
Thank you for this post and blogging overall. I thought about this question seriously a few years ago. For me, it could be writing, but I do not consider this a viable source of income. I could see myself working with young horses, and I returned to equine work several years ago after a long hiatus (during university, my PhD, and while finding stability in my career). However, it is hard for me to imagine myself outside of research. Even if I imagine myself working in agriculture, which also seems quite inspiring, I would stay in touch with fundamental science.
Thanks for writing. Yes, I think it is good to ask this question. And if the answer is not "what I'm doing" that is equally useful. And, yes, I do understand the draw of research. It's what makes it worthwhile....
I absolutely LOVE this post. You have made my day.
I always look forward to reading your work, so fresh and out of the box.
As Bob Dylan said:
"The World has gone Berserk
Too much Paperwork"
But how important to remember all the many parts of our life work that we love.
Thank you so much; that message put a smile on my face! :)
Exactly right! I thought I had landed the dream job after years of wonderful field work. However, it was all Adminstration, difficult decisions balancing the budget and upsetting people. I hated directing instead of team work and left after a year.
The previous job was the dream job. When I took the promotion, the parts I liked best were lost. I did not fully appreciate what I had.
Thanks for sharing; this is interesting to hear. I guess what you don't know if there is something you'd really like better until you've tried it. Once you have tried it out, then you will know.
I feel like I'm asking myself this question all the time now as AI changes how I do my job -- do I still love this more than anything I've done before? Yes. Is there something else out there I might love more? Possibly. As an artist who didn't go into academia, I have a lot of options, which, like academia, always involve a trade-off between time spent working a job (even a pleasant one) and time spent working on art. It's never the art I question (okay, sometimes, but I don't think I could ever stop writing poetry because poetry will never stop wanting me to write it). It's the thing I trade for time to work on what I love. And honestly, I'm at a point in my career where I have a lot of options for what to trade for more time writing, which is a ridiculously lucky, privileged place to be.
Thanks for writing. Yes, as another comment said, you never really know if there isn't something you'd like even better until you try. But I think it's positive to recognize that the place we are is a good one. No real desire to change. That is indeed a position of privilege.
It’s precisely these disappointments and setbacks that make our successes all the more joyful. What I find most appealing about this job is the considerable freedom it gives me in terms of time and space to pursue what I love, along with the way it helps me focus more on my own growth.
Yes, absolutely, the freedom is the best and the most important aspect. I could still do without the setbacks! :)