Just suffice to say that I overlooked a significant detail in Damned Yeast Project and am doing one last hail-mary experiment before leaving for Major European Conference (next week). This one is my fault and I should have read through all the material and caught it. But I didn’t. Neither did Advisor who helped me design Damned Yeast Project for my Proposal or my committee members who read and subsequently tested me on Damned Yeast Project. I’m not trying to cast off the blame; I’m more in awe that at least four well-educated people (besides myself) all missed this significant detail.
I was discussing this with Former Roommate (who needs a new pseudonym now that she’s a labmate, too) and in search of a silver-lining she said, “Well, at least you’ve learned a lot.” I thought about it and she’s right. I’ve learned:
-To trust, but verify (i.e. just because Advisor says, “This reagent will work perfectly!” does not mean that he is correct.)
-Jumping into the middle of things (i.e. Trial By Fire) may be a good way to learn how to do things, but it is not the most timely.
-The old adage about an hour in the library saves a month in bad experiments is true (but how to convince Advisor of this? Results are always needed now!)
-The only way I’ll be able to do my cool FPE-Related Project is if I make time for it (now that Advisor has lost interest, he pushes more for Damned Yeast Project)
-I don’t think that I’m cut out to spend 70+ hours in the lab (cue panicky feeling of what do I do now? The Alternative Scientist has come at a good time for me)
-I want a family (unrelated to Damned Yeast Project, but I have discovered this during this time period)
-I’m going into my fourth year and I still don’t know anything.
dude, relax, I’m into my second postdoc and I still have no effing clue.
hmm, I guess that’s not really comforting, huh?
Oh Amanda that sucks it really does. Not being very science-y at all, I hope you can salvage something out of the Damned Yeast Project before the Conference. I agree with you though, it is a coincidece that not one other professional picked up on this mistake. If there is a silver lining that would be it because although you dont want to cast blame your certainly not alone in this mistake.
that sucks ASS! Was it you that linked the Journal of Cell Science stupidity article? you can’t know everything!
Sorry about the project. Maybe the secret isn’t knowing everything (anything), but convincing other people you do. I always figure I’m probably not much smarter or dumber than the rest of the people around me, and if they can do it, so can I.
“I’m going into my fourth year and I still don’t know anything.”
Hehehe. Several years ago, someone told me that the entire purpose of the first several years of grad school was to convince students of exactly that. You come in thinking you’re hot stuff. By Year 3 or so, you’re convinced you’ll never know anything. By the time you finish your thesis, you’re supposed to be somewhere neutral. (“I guess there’s a few things that I know….”)
I’m entering Year 5, and just barely turning the corner….
I’m in my 28th year, and I know absolutely nothing.
HG: Yeah, thanks for the comfort and stuff. 🙂 It’s a strange experience to suddenly realize that what you’ve thought you wanted to to do all along, isn’t really what you want (low on coffee… sorry if that made no sense).
Deb: I should be able to salvage some stuff. I just won’t get all the experiments in before I leave. And it’ll be a some what lame poster.
Scientist Mother: I think it was Dr. J and Mrs. H. who linked to it. But you’re right, I can’t know everything… just wish I knew something!
Southern Grad Girl: That’s true. I should probably just fake it until I make it 🙂
Nicky: At least there’s a corner to turn! That’s a relief!
Aunt Becky: Well, sigh. I guess that I am SOL. Maybe eventually I’ll get a clue.
hey! I’m playing catch up with your posts. Sorry I’ve been gone so long! Good luck with the yeast.
Bummer. Sadly that’s science… and being in a state of knowing what you don’t know is actually progress, for sure! I’m sure you can use the poster to lure people in and then explain to them all about what you are going to do over the next few months… and just enjoy the rest of the conf.
Although for me the “I don’t know anything” is gradually turning into “I know some things others don’t,” the “I don’t want to work 70 hours a week, and I want a family” has only been intensifying. Not yet sure where this is going to take me, but I too am certainly glad for the Alternative Scientist blog!
Wayfarer Scientista: I’m glad that you’re back! I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts recently.
JaneB:That’s what I’m concentrating on… the rest of the conference. And I’ll take any progress that I can get!
Science Girl: That’s excellent progress! And I’m glad that I’m not alone in my lack of enthusiasm about working 70+ hour weeks. I feel more normal now.
You’re NOT alone in wanting to avoid 70+ hour weeks. I’m faculty, I’m going part time next year because I’m sick of the hours, and I started my blog to record how I get on… alternative careers in my field at least bring similar pressures to academe and, darn it, I actually LIKE teaching and even enjoy the administration (when no-one else is messing up my work), and I’m moderately successful at the research which I enjoy whenever I remember to. I don’t want the hours culture to push me out of a job I love (some days).