Survival Skills for Scientists

Graduate School
1

<p>So I'm currently reading this book:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Skills-Scientists-Federico-Rosei/dp/1860946402%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Skills-Scientists-Federico-Rosei/dp/1860946402&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Just would like to notify everyone about this book. Anyone else read it?</p>

<p>Interesting, though somewhat honest to the point of discouraging at some parts.</p>

2

<p>after reading a few pages on the amazon online reader, it seems interesting/useful, even if some of the stuff i've read will seem like common sense to those who have decided to go to graduate school, e.g. "if you are not prepared for commitment far beyond nine-to-five routine, you should seriously think of looking into different job prospects."</p>

<p>what do you think about the book? i'm thinking about purchasing it (the 38 dollar price is insane!)</p>

3

<p>I think that book, from the small excerpt available, is too broad...</p>

<p>It says that true scientists don't work 9 to 5. Well, I may not right now, but there are plenty that do work 9 to 5 and make a decent living at it. The book seems to suggest that if you aren't a research scientist you aren't a true scientist. That is not true by any stretch of the imagination. I would certainly hope that if I don't end up finishing up my PhD that I would still be taken seriously as a scientist!</p>

<p>The best tactic in my opinion is to talk to a professor emeritus in your department and just listen. Ask them about their stories and insights about the academia system. That will be of much greater help than an expensive book that is too broad to be of use to most. I learned more from my mentor (a professor emeriti) about the world of academia than any silly book could tell me.</p>

4

<p>I got it from the university library. I'm still reading through it but expect to finish today.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It says that true scientists don't work 9 to 5. Well, I may not right now, but there are plenty that do work 9 to 5 and make a decent living at it. The book seems to suggest that if you aren't a research scientist you aren't a true scientist. That is not true by any stretch of the imagination. I would certainly hope that if I don't end up finishing up my PhD that I would still be taken seriously as a scientist!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It's just suggestions on the world of academia. It's not for non-research scientist.</p>

<p>Some related books:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ph-D-Not-Enough-Survival-Science/dp/0201626632/ref=pd_sim_b_1/002-2344579-3569667?ie=UTF8&qid=1175045297&sr=1-1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Ph-D-Not-Enough-Survival-Science/dp/0201626632/ref=pd_sim_b_1/002-2344579-3569667?ie=UTF8&qid=1175045297&sr=1-1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Winning-Nobel-Prize/dp/0231138962/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-2344579-3569667?ie=UTF8&qid=1175045297&sr=1-1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Winning-Nobel-Prize/dp/0231138962/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-2344579-3569667?ie=UTF8&qid=1175045297&sr=1-1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

5

<p>^^also, the book mostly gives advice on writing papers, going to conferences, interacting with famous scientists. A lot of the social aspects of the field are covered.</p>

<p>But wow, social skills are really important. Sigh.</p>

6

<p>I hear ya, InquilineKea.</p>