We have learned that many scientists tend to feel that successful careers inevitably follow successful research. In the present environment, such an attitude is a luxury that most candidates can ill afford. New scientists who take the time to understand the present market and future trends, and who position themselves intelligently, as suggested below, are much more likely to be the beneficiaries, rather than the victims, of change.
In 1991-92, hiring was slow. When a company is in financial difficulty, it is always tempting to cut research expenditures, including salaries paid to staff scientists. As a result, on-campus recruiting has been curtailed across the United States this year, and companies have been making fewer offers.
In addition, some of the corporate giants that regularly recruit new scientists have been downsizing. Thus, junior scientists who have lost their jobs have been added to the normal pool of new Ph.D.'s and recent ...
