A Career in Science - The Tough Truth Behind A 'Dream Job'

In this video, I explore the realities of pursuing a career in sciences, peeling back the layers of what it truly means to dedicate oneself to this field. From the outside, science as a career often appears glamorous, filled with exciting discoveries and groundbreaking research. However, the reality is far more complex and challenging than what is typically presented.

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I dive into the journey that begins with an undergraduate degree, where the foundations of a career in science are laid. This phase is often filled with enthusiasm and a genuine love for learning, but it's crucial to understand that this is just the starting point. The transition from undergraduate studies to the more demanding stages of a scientific career reveals a different side of the field, one that is often glossed over in promotional materials or university prospectuses.

As I move through the stages of postgraduate study and into the world of postdoctoral research, I discuss the increasing pressures and expectations that come with each step. A career in sciences is not just about curiosity and discovery; it involves navigating a complex system of academic politics, funding pressures, and the relentless pursuit of peer-reviewed publications. These elements are critical for success, but they also contribute to the stress and uncertainty that many in the field experience.

One of the key points I make is that science as a career is not just about the love of knowledge or the thrill of discovery. It's also about dealing with the harsh realities of the academic environment, where success often hinges on one's ability to secure funding and produce a steady stream of research papers. This pressure can lead to ethical dilemmas and a constant need to prove one's worth within the academic community.

For those considering a career in science, this video offers a candid look at what lies ahead. It's not about discouraging anyone, but rather about providing a realistic picture of the path you're considering. Understanding these challenges can help you make informed decisions about your future in the sciences, and ensure that you're prepared for both the rewards and the difficulties that come with this career path.

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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 What is in the prospectus
01:17 Undergrad
02:41 Post Graduate
03:55 What Universities love
06:38 Don't get stuck
07:48 Getting a permanent position
11:18 Outro

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[rpaulcelso]

Thanks, brings back memories. Since I did it a certain way I can give advice. I saw that I did not have the secret sauce to compete with my professors, so I went to work at a national lab, and literally lived happily ever after. Recently I went to work at another national lab, and am even more happy. Grad school is like minor league baseball. You have to judge yourself against Major leaguers. If you see that you can’t keep up, then go into coaching. It will save your knees.

[marioabc]

18 as a researcher. 13 as post-doc. At the end due to being above 40 years no longer admissible as assistante prof. “You are too old even thought you are the best”. Just got fired due to the lack of funding. Got more than 10 phd students

[muppetm]

In the last year of my chemistry PhD now, and trust me - I learned this all too late! I cannot wait to finish and leave academia!

[AnthonyJMendoza-fi]

I once went to the desk of the IT gal who handled our data management to obtain help on some computer issues. She was busy helping another woman, so I stood there waiting, and thought to myself what a boring job. I am glad I am not doing that. Then the IT gal finished talking to the other gal with the statement: "I would hate to do R&D. It is so stressful. It would be horrible." It was a shock to hear that, but it was true. The job I had was certainly stressful and it was one that I could never truly learn. It was different every day. It was nothing I could settle into. I loved it and it was immensely satisfying at times, but it was eternally a fight to keep up and to execute. The IT gal's job may not be as exciting as mine, but it was certainly more predictable and controllable. It was something you could settle into and be comfortable. Something I never experienced until the very end of my career when I was a subject matter expert and was about ready to take my pension and run anyway.

[tshepisompala]

I love you 😂😂😂. I love how realistic you are. Thank you for showing all sides. ❤. I'm in Africa and it's shocking to see that even abroad things are pretty much the same.

[strayorion]

In Mexico when you get out of a masters degree or a phd you can compete for a teaching position, while the pay will be bad, and you will do research, basically for free, you do have a job, and a postion in the unviersity in which you will accumulate seniority, and that will give you an edge for when a research postion opens up in the same university

[cumulus]

My dreams of being a scientist crushed in one video... 😢

[brunaborbadecarvalho]

I am defending my PhD thesis next week, and about to cry. This was all I really wanted, but now I feel so stupid. I am 35 and I have absolutely nothing, and I am extremely disappointed with academia!!

[douglasstrother]

I realized that academia was a racket during grad school when I noticed that a 30-page paper suitable for "Physical Review" would get submitted as ten 3-page papers to "Physics Letters".

[leonorakira]

Really spot on. And thanks for looking beyond postdoc positions. In fact, I know several people who are have brought in major, sometimes international grants more than once, are well-known and respected in their field, and still don't have a permanent position. In my impression, this is getting more common as academia is becoming ever more competitive.

[MD-nfrr]

This was beautifully laid out. Coming from someone who has seen some of the horrors of academia first hand. I felt like you were describing my experience haha. And others that I know have experienced the same sort of things... By the way these are supposedly "well-funded" prestigious universities that I'm talking about. What a damn shame.

[AngelRodriguez-qgzq]

Oh my goodness. I'm in my first semester of my PhD, but I've had similar impressions about supervisors since my Master's. I definitely need to try to make myself useful outside of academia.

[AmyFerguson]

It’s every career! You think you’re going to be a computer programmer and get away from people and their drama and ass-kissing and promoting yourself and bullshit, but no! You are still right there in the center of it!

[TypoKnig]

And too many people competing for the small number of permanent jobs. When I left physics in the early 90s, so many people were getting PhDs in physics that the entire US professoriate could have been replaced in a few years. Since few of the tenured professors were leaving, the new graduates had no place to go but out of the field.

[jeanp.]

Ah yes, the "academic ponzi scheme"

[crazybaboon]

I would rather do manual job rather than writing a research paper. It is so fake, so time consuming and so unnecesary it drives me crazy.

[GlobalTalentAustralia]

Hi Andy, thank you for the excellent video! I recently arrived in Australia on a Global Talent visa, with a background that includes education from top-tier universities, a former full professorship, international awards, grants, and a strong research record with over 70 papers and 6000 citations. Despite this, I’ve struggled to find academic positions here, ranging from professor to lecturer and researcher roles. It seems that overseas education and work experience may be seen as a disadvantage in the Australian academic job market.
Interestingly, the Australian government created the Global Talent Visa program to attract high-caliber talent, yet universities here don’t seem to recognize it as an advantage for the country — they seem unaware of the program's significance. In contrast, in China, when a researcher is awarded a Talent program (even non-Chinese scientist), they automatically receive a university contract and a grant. Could you explore this issue in one of your future videos? Specifically, why foreign academic experience is undervalued in Australia, and what potential solutions might be for those in a similar situation?

[monikap]

11:00 - the academia is an MLM then xd

[rockpadstudios]

In this day and age it's difficult to discover/invent new useful technology. The pace for breakthroughs is difficult. I have read/talked to many people that say it's a game more than science. In the end it's all about money you can bring to the table. I feel things will get worse now that the free money is decreasing.

[padmeasmr]

In Italy we have undergrad 3yrs master 2 yrs phd 3-? Yrs and the post doc. I love research I want to get into a PhD program next year but need to raise my CV points. Noone of your videos made me change my mind lol