FLICKR, MARIA REYES-MCDAVISLife science PhDs continue to pursue academic careers despite the low pay, long hours, and lack of opportunities in a dwindling job market. The freedom to engage in creative, intellectually stimulating work, the security of tenure, and the ability to make a meaningful contribution to society through teaching and research are all motivations for students seeking academic career paths in the life sciences. However, the reality of the academic job market is that fewer than one in every 10 PhDs will secure a tenure-track position. Despite this, many press on, claiming that they need to continue to “follow their passion.”
A common misunderstanding among early-career scientists is the thought that their passion is their research focus. A more careful examination reveals that their passion is not so much the subject but rather, the promise of the life that academia might offer.
There is hope: these ideals are accessible outside the academic world. Rather than being passionate about a subject, PhDs should instead focus on mastering their craft and building what author Cal Newport calls “career capital.” The first step for a young scientist is to identify which craft they have mastered in the context of their academic work. STEM PhDs spend years developing specialized knowledge in their niche academic fields; most are not aware of the transferable skills they developed during their training.
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