http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/02/19/research-aaas-meeting-notes-difficult-job-market-academic-science
Interesting perspective that applies to my earlier post on job market
and might be useful to those considering their options.
Key feature for me was 8% of Biology PHDs find TT jobs, and the
science market for advanced degrees is generally glutted.
So, why do we keep saying their is an STEM shortage? My friends in
computer science and engineering don't see one either.
Having graduates = jobs is probably not any more healthy for a
discipline, but suggesting their is a shortage when their is clearly
not a shortage is simply charlatanism. Science is a great field, its
an extremely competitive field, and all of us cannot make it to the
top, some of us can't even make it to the plate for batting practice.
Some of us can't hit curves, others can't hit at all, others can close
their eyes and swing and get home runs every time. Employers want the
latter, and most of us fall in one of the former more human
categories.
Its a reality many of us try to ignore because we really want to
succeed in our field. However, being a success is not based on what
job you hold, how much money you make, or where you live. Its about
how you personally feel about what you have done. IF you take high
energy physics try your best and get a D, what is there to be ashamed
of? Likewise, if you got through a PHD or an MS you are more
successful than the vast majority of others. It also shows you have
one heck of a good head on your shoulders. You might not be able to
hit a curve ball, but you know what...most people don't get up to the
plate.
Just do what will be best for your long-term health, satisfaction, and
future. The rest tends to fall in place eventually.
Not that this makes the present any easier.
--
Malcolm L. McCallum
Managing Editor,
Herpetological Conservation and Biology
"If the government is covering up the existence of aliens, then they
are doing a better job of it than they do at anything else," Stephen
Hawking
1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert
1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss,
and pollution.
2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction
MAY help restore populations.
2022: Soylent Green is People!
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Malcolm L. McCallum
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
School of Biological Sciences
University of Missouri at Kansas City
Managing Editor,
Herpetological Conservation and Biology
"Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive" -
Allan Nation
1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert
1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss,
and pollution.
2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction
MAY help restore populations.
2022: Soylent Green is People!
The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi)
Wealth w/o work
Pleasure w/o conscience
Knowledge w/o character
Commerce w/o morality
Science w/o humanity
Worship w/o sacrifice
Politics w/o principle
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attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may
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