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> If you "make it" (or, alternatively, until you "fail" and drop out) you'll spend most of your time working on problems that you are truly passionate about. I
by yodsanklai 6y ago
> If you "make it" (or, alternatively, until you "fail" and drop out) you'll spend most of your time working on problems that you are truly passionate about.
I wonder to what extent this is correct. I heard professors saying they can do actual research only in their free time. Rest of the time is managing, administration, teaching, attending various committee and so on...
- gspr 6y agoI've heard similar stories from the US. In the European countries I'm familiar with, tenured staff certainly have time to do research. More of that research happens through student supervison than directly, perhaps, but still.
- mattkrause 6y agoEarly postdoc is probably the sweet spot for (individually) working on what you love. As you become more senior, responsibilities start to accrete around you. You can make more progress on something, but you start to do so by supervising others and writing grants to make it happen, rather than just doing the work yourself. This can be satisfying, but can also devolve into endless paperwork.