Recently for my intensive research course, I was asked to read two articles, "The Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research" and "How to Succeed in Science: A Concise Guide for Young Biomedical Scientists". Although my research is physics based, both were useful in giving me an idea of what research as a career would have in store for me.
The first article mentioned that the author's graduate studies and research in general made her feel "stupid". I don't think this is an entirely accurate word to describe that. While we may not know the answer to a given question that we are researching, we are trying to come up with an explanation for it. A better word would be "uninformed". Seeking knowledge isn't a stupid thing, hence the saying "There's no such thing as a stupid question". Many students may still be discouraged from research because they feel too stupid for it, but I don't intend to give up so easily. It seems like my generation is plagued by not wanting to strive for anything extraordinary. They are happy enough simply with what is easily within reach. I want to break away from that and try to do something with my life that will actually matter. This is why I decided on trying to be a theoretical physicist. It won't be easy, but it will sure as hell be interesting. Attempting to answer the seemingly unanswerable questions interests me greatly.
Which brings me to the next article, "How to Succeed in Science". While this is more focused on the research experience of biological scientists, it did still apply to me. The author mentioned that research in graduate school and beyond will take up quite a bit of my time. I knew when I decided to work towards a PhD that this would be the case. Hard work isn't "work" if you don't dread doing it everyday, so long hours probably won't bother me.
Along with the long hours, I won't have someone to hold my hand every step of the way. Sometimes, the research you are doing will never have been done before. You can't go to a professor to get help all the time, since they might not have an answer for you. Coming up with my own answers seems rather daunting, but we'd already know the answers to a lot of things if research were a cakewalk.
The article also mentioned it may be years before you become a successful researcher and start getting grants. Perseverance will be a must, so I must be prepared to spend several years without being very economically successful. There is always the possibility of that, but I'm not in it for the money. Discovery and speculation are more valuable to me than any amount of money I could have. Physical things can only get you so far in life.
In summary, if I choose to be a researcher, I will be working long hours for relatively low pay most likely for several years. This won't be a problem when the work I will be doing won't numb my mind like some jobs I have had in the past. I'm shooting for the top, and I don't intend to give up until I get there.
Sources:
Schwartz, MA. The importance of stupidity in scientific research. J Cell Sci. 2008 Jun 1;121(Pt 11):1771.
Yewdell, JW. How to succeed in science: a concise guide for young biomedical scientists. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2008 May; 9(5):413-6.
I like how you talk about the independent part of research. When I was designing my research project last spring I had to decide what I wanted to test and then find research to help me throughout the process. It is difficult, but it can help you better your scientific skills in the future, say, in grad. school.
ReplyDeleteJake,
ReplyDeleteI like your voice of readiness and positive attitude towards your career and inquiring knowledge as in whole. I strongly believe that it is the right approach to amend in a start to the long journey of life as a researcher; especially one who is planning to become a theoretical physicist. There is a very major probability of you might feel stupid about parts of your studies at some point of time during your research but you also have a great thinking about the "stupidity" feature of science research as you clearly understand that it is all about the knowledge that you will dig out of each of those moments. I am so excited for you that you are on the right track as long as you enforce these theories of yours. Great job.