Do the survey for this week and let me and John know how you answered and why:
Most likely reason a scientist will leave research?
Can't find a permanent position
Desires to earn a higher salary
Sees no correlation between hard work and eventual success
Wants to make a greater impact on society
Feels love of science could be better expressed in another career
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ooph, a bit depressing, isn't that?
how about "why do you stay in science?" :)
wasn't sure if the survey was our perceptions, or our personal reasons...would be an interesting distinction to make.
(excellent daily kos, by the way...thx)
Well, I left research, and though every one of the reasons had some influence on my decision, it was mainly because after 5 years of very hard work my thesis was going nowhere. Blame me and my really awfull director...
Kate, your comment is interesting: a lot of colleagues and friends asked me why I was leaving science. My answer is allways the same: I left research. Science is still the love of my life... I'm just courting her in a different way these days.
"Too lazy to do the amount of work needed to get a permanent position" in my case :-)
I haven't actually left yet, but it's not unlikely and the reason will be the inability to get a stable position - or to get temporary positions where I can work to fully qualify for one - in the city where I now have a family.