Comments on: Why does anyone think science is a good job? http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/2010/05/24/why-does-anyone-think-science-is-a-good-job/ Science in Canada: Issues affecting trainees Sun, 20 May 2012 13:26:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lisa McDonnell http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/2010/05/24/why-does-anyone-think-science-is-a-good-job/comment-page-1/#comment-1012 Lisa McDonnell Fri, 28 May 2010 15:51:25 +0000 http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/?p=458#comment-1012 I'm enjoying all the articles. This one has really hit a soft spot for me as a PhD candidate, trying to finish my degree, with a 10 month old. When thinking about the potential job prospects I might have when finished I admit I do not feel hopeful. I can think of so many reasons why being a scientist is a GREAT profession, but perhaps the overriding factor is a passion for all things science (reading, writing, teaching, doing). However, when the issues raised (wages, job availability, etc.) are considered science really seems quite unappealing, and doing a graduate degree in the sciences does not feel as rewarding as it possibly could. It seems to me that hard work and a passion for science are not sufficient to ensure a stable and sustainable career in science......is it just me, or does that seem wrong? I’m enjoying all the articles. This one has really hit a soft spot for me as a PhD candidate, trying to finish my degree, with a 10 month old. When thinking about the potential job prospects I might have when finished I admit I do not feel hopeful.
I can think of so many reasons why being a scientist is a GREAT profession, but perhaps the overriding factor is a passion for all things science (reading, writing, teaching, doing). However, when the issues raised (wages, job availability, etc.) are considered science really seems quite unappealing, and doing a graduate degree in the sciences does not feel as rewarding as it possibly could.

It seems to me that hard work and a passion for science are not sufficient to ensure a stable and sustainable career in science……is it just me, or does that seem wrong?

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