Realities of doing science

[bmartin at utmem.edu]

In article <post-2106991223540001 at 10.0.2.15>, post at newsgroup.please
(J.) wrote:

By and large, much of what J. wrote is a valid viewpoint.  S. Forsburgh
wrote many of the standard answers by those already in a position. 
Forsburgh is correct; noone is owed a job.  She, however, is using this
argument almost as if people commenting on the job situation feel they
are owed a job.  

No young scientist I have heard feels owed a job, but many do feel
deceived and somewhat trapped.  I agree with J. that many (not all;
maybe even < 50%) who choose to leave science are discussed as quitters
by those remaining.  It is part of the human equation 

It is relatively rare to be an independent scientist before age 30. 
People trying most other professions such as acting or music (cited by
SL Forsburgh) start their efforts a decade younger.  There is less
invested and more opportunities to develop other skills if the
profession does not work out.  In science, significant more time is
invested and if the initial job tries don't work out, the yound
scientists is 30-35 yrs old and will have some difficulty starting
over.

B. Martin