Is a Science Career Right for Me? Finding Your Fit in the World of Research

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the suitability of a science career for individuals with varying interests and personality traits. Participants explore the relationship between personal preferences in scientific fields, such as relativity and quantum mechanics versus classical mechanics, and the implications of personality assessments on career choices in research.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their fit for a research career, noting a preference for relativity and quantum mechanics over mechanics.
  • Another suggests that internships may provide better insight into career suitability than tests or guides.
  • A participant shares their experience with personality tests, indicating a high IQ but an extroverted personality that they believe may not align with typical scientific careers.
  • Some participants question the logic behind disliking mechanics while enjoying relativity and quantum mechanics, suggesting that the concepts may be appealing despite the mathematical challenges.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of personality tests, with one participant arguing that such assessments could limit career diversity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the usefulness of personality tests and the relationship between personal interests and career paths in science. There is no consensus on the best approach to determining suitability for a science career.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various personality assessments and their implications, but there is no agreement on their effectiveness or relevance to career choices in science. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and opinions without resolving the underlying questions.

scilover89
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I like science(at least I think so), but I don't like every part of it equally. For example, I like Relativity and QM, but I don't really like mechanic.
I like to ask question and do experiment, but I wonder whether I suit the research career, or which science field. Are there any test or guide that can be helpful?
 
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Tests and guides are rarely helpful. You might want to look into an internship in a certain field to know whether or not that's where you want to go into. Other than that, you bassically have all of your first and second year of college to figure it out. You can never be too sure.
 
i wondered the same things because i have given a couple of tests at shrinks offcies regarding personality aptitude iq etc. and i have got a result that indicates that though my iq is high enough for science, my personality which is extroverted and sportsy and outdoorsy, is not suited for it, then my school cousellor has the gall to tell me (as if we were in a communist society), that see here, wen we look for scientists we generally look out for introverted people, blah blah blah, i am ready to spend my life at a microscope doing research on genetics, so its all about what YOU want to do,
 
You like relativity, but you hate mechanics?

That makes no sense at all.
 
JasonRox said:
You like relativity, but you hate mechanics?

That makes no sense at all.


Maybe he means he likes the concepts, but doesn't like to do the maths..? :rolleyes:
 
scilover89 said:
I like Relativity and QM, but I don't really like mechanic.
I like to ask question and do experiment, . . .
Can you elaborate on this statement.

Do you mean that you like the application of Special Relativity (SR) and Quantum Mechanics, but you do not like Classical Mechanics (or Statics and Dynamics).

As JasonRox pointed out, the statement as written is somewhat puzzling. It is difficult to avoid 'mechanics' in SR or QM.
 
scilover89 said:
I like science(at least I think so), but I don't like every part of it equally. For example, I like Relativity and QM, but I don't really like mechanic.
I like to ask question and do experiment, but I wonder whether I suit the research career, or which science field. Are there any test or guide that can be helpful?

classical mechanics you mean?
 
NeoVision said:
i wondered the same things because i have given a couple of tests at shrinks offcies regarding personality aptitude iq etc. and i have got a result that indicates that though my iq is high enough for science, my personality which is extroverted and sportsy and outdoorsy, is not suited for it, then my school cousellor has the gall to tell me (as if we were in a communist society), that see here, wen we look for scientists we generally look out for introverted people, blah blah blah, i am ready to spend my life at a microscope doing research on genetics, so its all about what YOU want to do,

That's the problem with those Meyer-Briggs personality tests. Imagine if everyone of the same "personality" ended up at the same sets of careers. Things would be extremely dull. Unfortunately, shrinks, career counselors, and human resource departments take the results way too seriously.
 

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