A balance act
In many ways, life and physics research are a balance act. On a daily basis as well as in the long-term you juggle the impossible and try not to drop too many balls along the way. You push yourself to the limit and try the seemingly impossible.
If you succeed and you find time to play, physics can be exhilerating with a spectacular view of the world we live in. It provides a different perspective and understanding of the world and you can see into the distance recognizing the horizon.
As a postdoc or young researcher you get a glimpse of what it might be like to play in the arena of science but hopefully our science is a little more sound and stable than the balance on two legs of a chair.
In recent weeks I have had the fortune to be presented with the choice of continuing my career as a young faculty. Landing a faculty job is the goal of many young researchers. Our senior colleagues seem much more sober about it.. And quite often you don’t fully realize of what is involved until you actually go through the application process and think about starting a new group yourself. In the end I found myself doubting that I could do this or even wanted to do this. I’m still undecided on whether I want to continue working at a national lab or choose the university environment. It is the question of focusing on research and doing projects versus engaging with students and teaching as part of the academic life. Hopefully, it is not a question of either/or but all just a matter of striking the right balance.
Happy Birthday Karsten!!
Posted by: rm | May 02, 2005 at 11:05 PM
How come you DIDN'T think about starting your own lab BEFORE going through the application process and getting an offer? I would ban people with such doubts from applying for faculty positions for a couple of years until they know what they want in life - to clear the way for those who DO know (and didn't get that offer because it went to you)...
Posted by: Gladys | May 05, 2005 at 06:41 AM
How come you DIDN'T think about starting your own lab BEFORE going through the application process and getting an offer? I would ban people with such doubts from applying for faculty positions for a couple of years until they know what they want in life - to clear the way for those who DO know (and didn't get that offer because it went to you)...
Posted by: Gladys | May 05, 2005 at 06:41 AM
I don't know anybody in your shoes who doesn't feel the same way -- it's just natural when you think of leaving this plush single minded-ness that defines life as a postdoc/fellow. That said, universities are wonderful places! When fall comes and the students return, big white tents go up on the quad for the alumni, and you get to rub shoulders with people who do entirely different things... it keeps you fresh.
Posted by: Mike Miller | May 21, 2005 at 12:54 PM