Aaron's response does not extend past conversations being had on this listserv regarding the predatory nature of "the sciences" upon graduate students, postdocs, tenure-seeking professors, and end-of-career tenured professors. While Aaron clearly generalizes, his is a practical warning about the dangers of being naive, and the listserv has openly discussed so many of these issues over the past few years:
- There are many scientists on the lower levels who are being taken advantage of as cheap labor while not having legitimate opportunities to enter their chosen career. - There is not much funding to match the needs of as many of the scientists as in the past. - Career prospects are delayed, and are fewer than in the past. - A very large percent of graduate students are not exercising enough brilliance to be relevant in academia. To have such discussions commonly on the listserv, then act towards Ms. Mydlowski as if Aaron's note is unusual is indicative of ignorance, or worse, intentionally misleading. Shouldn't we regularly inform incoming graduate students of the systemic issues in STEM fields - the ones that we're all talking about here on the ecology listserv, alongside offering them guidance on how to navigate the system? It's fine to call Aaron on his one-sided evaluation. However, he is reframing the debate on whether choosing a career involving higher academia is something that a person who values themself would do, and on what terms one can have the best chance at a fulfilling career. Best, Jon Jonathan Colburn, M.Sc. | 352.328.7610 Founder and CEO, Nyssa Ecological, Inc. | nyssaecological.com ISA arborist, certificate no. FL-6572A On May 27, 2015 2:41 PM, "Emily Mydlowski" <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello all, > > I'm delving into the graduate school search (MS and PhD programs) quite > heavily and am seeking advice regarding approaching faculty with a research > project. The system I'm interested in working on is that which has many > unanswered, interesting questions I would love to pursue. From a faculty > perspective, is proposing a project topic (too) bold of a move to a > potential advisor? > > Any advice would be much appreciated. > > All the best, > > Emily Mydlowski > Northern Michigan University >
