are you satisfied with what you do?

[NotchWnt]

This might have been addressed before somewhere, so apologies if it's an existing topic.

Right, my question is mainly directed to people who work in the research field. What I'm trying to find out is whether you are actually happy with the choice you've made and don't find yourselves thinking most of the time what could have happened if you'd decided to do something else.


I've just finished an undergrad degree in biology and I really, really don't know whether to continue with research, ie., do a masters, then a phd and then whatever else comes along.
I've only been in a lab for 4 months for my project, and though I did enjoy the time I spent there, I don't know if this is what I really want. My main preoccupation is the feeling of instability I got from being around a particular department: everyone's work is based on the grant they get, the number of articles they publish a year, the amount of...prestige they bring to the university.
So what happens if one year doesn't go as planned? Are you kicked out? Can you still carry on?

[mith]

You might teach

[nirvanafan]

well,it depends on what are you going to do after you get your MS or PHD in biology. industry? faculty? or invole in some business company.as to me ,no paper no satisfied

[MrMistery]

If i were you, I would definitely go for the PhD. The amount of research necessary would help you make up for sure if you want to be a researcher or something else. If not, you can always go into teaching, work in industry etc. A PhD will not be a disadvantage, on the contrary, it will probably help you.

[DoctorStein]

Interesting question

I work as teacher/lecturer in university and also live from doing research in lab. Every some periods there's a grant to win research funds and I always enjoy the competition. I won one of them this year, THANKS GOD! for seven-month research. I have just finished another research proposal for another grant next year. Wish me luck, guys!

Aside from the competition, I live from teaching. The university gives me salary each month, and I could save some for I can expend it for something in the future. One of them is I can make my own research by that money. If I really don't have money, I like to write something based on my research or any reviews, and I publish them in journals or scientific magazines or deliver them in seminar, congress, etc.

Not always money. I am happy when my writing is published. I am happy to meet people with similar interests. I am happy to travel from town to town even from country to country

This year I'm preparing to continue my study to get my Ph.D. Wish me luck

[Cristgonz]

good question.
if you are not happy with what are you doing and if at the same time you have the chance to do something else you have nothing to lose ! i always say that life is one and let's live it to the fullest.
i work on a bussiness company in the maize section (transgenic varieties) and sometimes i get really tired and bored but every month end i forgot that haha.
well.. money cannot make us happy but can helps us so you should put everything on the balance and ask to yourself what would really make you happy.
wish you all the luck in everything you are going to enroll.