Ok y'all,
If you've been reading these past 2+ years you probably noticed that I'm a bit confused about my career goals right now. I've gone from "I want to be a scientist at a tier 1 university and have a life too" to "Forget that, I'm going into business!". But the truth is, I still don't know what God has planned for me. So I took a leap of faith and applied for a position that my friend turned me onto. . .she's leaving and needs someone to take over. Here the duties of the job are to:
(1) increase the enrollment of underrepresented students pursuing a graduate degree in the sciences
(2) ensure the successful completion of their Ph.D. by providing flexible curricula, personal mentoring, and professional development training
(3) prepare these students to transition into competitive postdoctoral and faculty positions by providing them the opportunity to present their research at local, regional, and national meetings.
"Basically, by creating a support network for these
students and combining it with professional
development training (such as a scientific skills
course: how to write grants, papers, make posters,
presentations), we believe we can make any student
with the drive and dedication a great scientist.
It's a great job for someone who is a little mad at
grad school and wants to make it better."
Umm. . .this job is perfect for me!!! So I applied. The only catch--they need someone by August/September and I'm aiming for an October end date. On top of that, I just read an abstract that describes my project only this lab actually completed the project--not me. And I'm trying to get an experimental system that I created to work and it's not working. And my committee said that they want to see me in July and they want to see me with data so I can have permission to write but I can't show them data if I can't get the system working! And I feel like every experiment determines if I'm going to graduate or not!--NO PRESSURE HERE (said very sarcastically)!
Whew! Getting that out was a relief. So, after I freaked out, I sat down and I made a decision. I'm graduating this year and if I get the job above, I'm gonna work the timing out. I had to step up my game, wake up and get with the program. If I'm gonna get scooped, I'll just have to determine the next step and go from there. I'm gonna try some different approaches with this expermental system and make it work. I have to start writing!!!! I just have to because the next 6 months are gonna be bad enough and I have to de-stress wherever possible.
I can do this, I know I can. And I will repeat this phrase as much as I have to. I've been struggling with leaving the bench or pushing myself through a post-doc and remaining miserable. At least in the position above, I'm doing something that helps others and I can see the impact that will be made. Once I'm in that position, I can look at my career options subjectively, take a few business classes and decide if that's the way to go.
So look forward to frantic and/or procrastinating (while writing) posts. It 's going to be a wild ride!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Keep at it! Every small step counts. You might not be able to figure out what your next career will be right now, but hopefully the idea that there are lots of options out there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
It stinks that you might have gotten scooped. What did your advisor say?
You can do it! Give it 100% at all times and pray.
Hey! Hang in there! You don't have to have it ALL figured out. Most of us don't. You have a plan for now and it sounds like a good one. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep going!
Who knows what life will bring!
It's all going to fall into place. You'll look back in another year I be glad that you kept moving forward.
BTW You've been tagged and here are the rules
Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.
You can do this!!!! Just remember everything happens for a reason and every experience you are having is getting you closer to where you should be.
Chi-Chi
The job sounds perfect...You can do it and hang on in there. I only wish I had money to get my PHd or EDd but I am so broke and paying back undergrad and grad loans...Take the position and everything else will fall in place.
Keep that strong attitude and you will definitely make it. Good Luck!
Praying for God will in your life Chi-Chi! Whatever you do, you'll be fantastic!!! Blessings...
Post a Comment