• Question: How to be more successful than other scientists in the science careers?

    Asked by 959cara48 to Devon, Heather, Krishma, Laura, Richard, Thomas, Tim.S on 19 Jan 2018.
    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 19 Jan 2018:

      That depends on what you mean by ‘more successful’. For me, success is about having a job that I like doing and I have that.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 19 Jan 2018:

      I agree that doing a job you really like will make you more motivated to work hard, to think about the challenges outside the office/lab and to make progress.

      Often scientists work in groups (team science) so it’s not about being more successful than the person next to you, it is about contributing your skills and efforts to the collective goal.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 19 Jan 2018:

      One of the websites that goes into defining success and impact of a career (including science) that I currently explore is here: https://80000hours.org Take a look – it seems to provide a very different advice from most (and a scientifically backed one where possible).

Comments

  • Photo: Jonathan

    Jonathan commented on :

    Great scientists often suggest that what made the difference was picking big scientific questions.
    That often underestimates the importance of sheer hard work and determination. You might not get this by looking at the greatest scientists, but for almost all of us being a good colleague is also crucial. Good colleagues get asked to do interesting things.

  • Photo: 959cara48

    959cara48 commented on :

    These are all amazing suggestions, and thank you so much to you all.