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Just blowing off some steam.
I'm in graduate school pursuing a Ph.D. in a research-based field of science. I also studied for my undergraduate degree here at my present university. As an undergraduate, I performed research under an advisor who I am now also currently working for. Well, my advisor got a great job offer...which I really think is great. Nice endowed chair position, lots of start-up money, and it's just a great opportunity. I knew about this opportunity when I first started my program and I completed a few rotations in other labs to get a feel for what else is going on around campus. Before I ultimately settled on working with my current (and former) advisor again, I made damn sure I was going to be covered financially if/when he took his new job. I asked point-blank before rejoining the lab "if I come back, will I be covered financially when you leave?" The answer was always a resolute "Yes". You know where this is going, don't you? Well, today is his final day at the University and I've been told that I may have to become a full-time Teaching Assistant (TA) to cover me financially, which is fucking bull fucking shit. Sure, some day, I will have to teach, but right now I'm in a lab attempting to establish a viable research niche. Pulling me out of the lab to TA full time will absolutely set me back at least a year in my program - at least. So what the fuck is a motherfucker to do. I'm a researcher - I absolutely love it. In fact, it's one of the reasons I decided to come back to this school to continue my graduate education. And frankly, I hate class. I've always hated class. I've gotten by doing the minimum possible in the classroom while still maintaining a very solid G.P.A. I don't feel that way in the lab. I don't cut corners. I'm passionate about what I'm doing. I actually give a fuck about what I'm doing.
So again, what the fuck is a motherfucker to do?
Well, realistically I have a few options.
1.) I can suck it up and go teach when asked.
The upside - My research niche doesn't change
The downside(s) - The likely outcome is 6 months or so of absolute misery, a year added to the time it takes to get my degree, and an absolute halt to my current progress in the lab.
I'm pretty sure that as it stands, I will NOT be taking this option, no matter the circumstance.
2.) I can bail from the current lab and join a different lab.
The upside - FUNDING!!! No TA. Perhaps a more complete understanding of my field by taking different research approaches and learning new techniques.
The downside - I lose all current progress made in the lab - setting me back a year (much like a TA position would do). The possiblity that I won't be doing research that I'm interested in, but required by the new advisor.
So far, the most likely option IF shit does end up hitting the fan.
3.) I can bail from the current institution and rejoin the professor at his new institution
The upside - FUNDING!!! You see, money gets stretched extremely thin attempting to move it from one institution to another to cover costs. But if I were to transfer, I would easily be covered financially by my current advisor.
The downside - inferior institution, not an established department in my current field, lack of collaborators/resources.
Really, this isn't an option unless I truly hated myself.
4.) Bail
The upside - I can always work at Barnes & Noble, right??? I could completely leave the country...I was thinking of doing that anyhow. It's not like my dollars are going that far as it is, especially with the dollar in the gutter.
The downside - Barnes & Fucking Noble. It's only life, right? What the fuck.
This is probably Plan B - tied with #'s 1 and 3.
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Posted by Lupey on 2008-01-18 15:31:36 | Rating: | Views: 83
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I am still in my twenties - on the short side of thirty, but they're already going by in a hurry. Another reason I chose this lab is because of all of my prior work - it could really speed up my graduation. It won't now, though. I'm to the point where I'm ready to start having kids. The thing that most pisses me off about the whole ordeal is not being included in the discussion of my future regarding the TA position. Pushing back my life because I make a stupid mistake is one thing, but to delay my life because of the inability of another to keep their word is another. I'm just really pissed about the entire situation.
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Posted by Lupey
on 2008-01-18 15:55:26
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Chill out dude! IMHO, I would move with the adviser. Sounded like he's well respected in his field to get an endowed chair position. When its all said and done, its your productivity and the lab's reputation more than the institution that counts the most. Any event, you're not doing so bad with any of the options. Good luck dude and forget about Barnes & Nobles.
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Posted by Youthful1
on 2008-01-19 10:53:15
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Yeah, and why do you need kids again?
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Posted by opalite
on 2008-05-13 19:51:57
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