Use that degree to do what?

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 5, 2015 11:15:17 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Working alone is not always good, as I don't think you learn new things quite as quickly as you do if you work with a group.

Agree and disagree.  If you are going to learn quickly solo you have to be highly motivated self learner.  I taught myself solid phase extraction by reading articles, talking in length with the tech people at Phenomenex/Waters and hitting up another lab I knew exclusively did SPE.  

So it can be done but you have to be able to speak up and be willing to be a serious "pest".  

But how much time did it take you?  In the lab, it is really easier if you have someone to learn it from because they can explain the pitfalls that aren't in the articles.  

When I have needed to learn something, the classic spiel of watch one, do one with someone watching you, then you're on your own has normally worked well for me.  In fact, I have gone away to other labs to both teach or be taught new procedures.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

But how much time did it take you? In the lab, it is really easier if you have someone to learn it from because they can explain the pitfalls that aren't in the articles.

I don't know to be honest.  The methodology wasn't hard to learn but it's a really tough technique to master even with assistance.   I used it once for a project and did so successfully.  The rest of the time liquid/liquid, evaporation or a straight protein worked just as well and was a lot faster since i was trying to get thru 100 samples or more per project.

If we'd done Mass Spec there would have been a higher urgency for me to master it.   But since we didn't I know enough about it I can put it down on my resume and at least attempt it, but I wouldn't call myself an expert on it by a long shot.

[Phoenix84]

She can work idol the state or federal government.

[mojothehelpermonkey]

Aug 5, 2015 5:58:17 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Thank you to all the suggestions, I forwarded them to her and it will be up to I guess figure out what she wants to do from here .

Aug 4, 2015 19:23:21 GMT -5 Knee Deep in Water Chloe said:

What did she want to be when she grew up? Why did she get those degrees in the first place?
Does she have any interest in teaching? In my state, a master's is required to teach at community college. 

At first (the bachelors in Biology) the goal was medical school but somewhere along the lines that changed.

Then it was teaching, she wanted to eventually teach at college level and do research. She loves doing research, data analysis, etc,

She has been in academia now for 2 years and is starting to realize that some of the tales of the backstabbing, cut throat and only the strong survive is real.

My wife is an introvert that does not care for confrontation which is total opposite of me: I strive on chaos and I don't mind confronting someone.

Ex: she worked her ass off on a presentation and basically did most of the work. Her name should have been the first one on there or the least second (academia: publish or perish).... It was Third or fourth with other people taking credit for her work. She doesn't say nothing....

She is the quote worker bee type that will just take it all in and come home and cry. Then I want to go to her job and smash people face in and I know I cannot do that.

And maybe it is because we work in two different fields. I am in a field were you are expected to be LOUD, aggressive, on top or you perish. You thought your horn and you take credit for every single thing you do. Bragging is encouraged!

As the VP of HR told a room of managers: if your VP doesn't know you on a first name basis; you are doing it wrong! You need to be the biggest advertisement for YOU that there is! You need to be LOUD!

Anyway I am sure she will figure it out; she is currently studying for the GRE and I told her to keep her options open. We can cover all our expenses under my income (would not save as much or pay of debt as fast) but ok with her going the PA route.... As close to being an MD/DO she could get without actually being one.

Your wives path sounds somewhat similar to mine. In college, I double majored in biology and psychology and planned on going to either med school or grad school. A combination of experiences (as well as the cost) made me decide that med school was not for me, so I ended up in a PhD program. I knew going into my PhD program that the academic track would be difficult, but I thought I would at least be able to find a staff scientist job in industry. Anyway, I graduated during the recession, and the biotech/pharma job market just seems to be getting worse for (post-2008) biomedical PhDs. Until the last six months, I had never been unemployed for more than a couple of weeks, but the jobs that I have had required me to use my people skills way more than my lab skills.
I still don't regret getting my PhD because I enjoyed my project, and I had enough funding to not need any loans (although I wouldn't want to try to live on a graduate stipend at my current age). I guess my point is that my PhD hasn't really increased my earning potential or job prospects (although it hasn't necessarily hurt). Also, the sense of accomplishment when someone calls you doctor wears off really quick.
I am curious to see what other people suggest because I will probably be making some career adjustments soon.

[zibazinski]

Nursing as well as PA school is demanding mentally, emotionally, and physically. I don't see Carl's wife being happy