I have to comment on this--my advisor told me very early on not to become a technician--to understand what I was doing and why. At least in physics, the usual

I have to comment on this--my advisor told me very early on not to become a technician--to understand what I was doing and why. At least in physics, the usual pattern is to give a student a project to work on--as they advance, they gain more independence. Sadly, some people never reach this stage...