Nevermind.
Looks like Ms Mentor answered my last question.
But this presents yet another catch-22. If you can't do it by yourself, but you're not allowed to ask for help, what are you supposed to do? Pray?
Like that's gonna work.
posted by Ms.PhD @ 8:25 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
She's right, sadly. Both of my parents are academics and the amount of backstabbing I see is digusting.
I also made the mistake of discussing personal issues with advisors, support deans, and school affiliated counselors. I know it's different since I'm still an undergrad, but the end result was that other people started making decisions for me ("Don't do that many courses, you can't handle it" etc.)
All of this just detracts from the actual business of research, thinking, and producing.
It sucks.
I think it is possible to ask for help, if you very carefully consider what you are asking for, and then make it very clear to the person you are asking.
What (manyfm) people do not deal with so well is "open-ended" requests for help and/or signs of weakness. They start getting worried that you will suck away their time and react badly. But if you are asking for a specific amount of their time to achieve a concrete strategic goal, they will generally react just fine if they are decent human beings.
So "I am writing my research statement and would appreciate a half an hour to get your input on my future research directions," goes over just fine, whereas "Oh my god, I totally don't know what I'm doing and can't believe I am starting my own lab when I have no idea what's up" calls in the sharks.
I have a question. Is the amount of politics in academia about the same as in industry or is it less?.
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