> Just as athletes are role models to some, scientists are role models to
> others. What we do reflects on our profession.
I think this is a very important point, perhaps getting at the heart of
all the recent posts on this thread. I also think that (from the
perspective of an undergrad, and not-yet professional scientist) the
quality/personality of the scientists you are in contact with does play an
important role in one's interest in the field. My father is a hydrologist
with the Geological Survey, and ever since I was a little kid, has
encouraged me to explore and think critically about the world around me,
and always had time for me to ask why and how. Then I had a fantastic
teachert in 5th and 6th grade who was an amateur marine biologist and had
salt water aquariums in his classroom and did a lot of hands-on activities
with the students. That's when I fell in love with biology. Academically
I am not heading particularly in the direction of marine bio because I
felt that would restrict my career options more than a terrestrial focus
would... but I think i will always be a marine biologist at heart. Then
my Junior year in high school, when I was talking Advanced Placement
Biology... the teacher I had was definitely an interesting individual, and
knew an hell of a lot, but wasn't necessarily the best teacher I've ever
had. I got completely turned off to science by that.
I think irregardless of your chosen profession, you act an a role model to
other people every moment of every day. Not to say that you have to be on
your best behavior 24-7, or even that you need to carefully stay within
the narrow path that is society's accepted behavior. You just need to be
careful about what you are showing and teaching others.
Anne Eychaner
abe :)
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"Trust but verify"
-Russian Proverb
