Pursuing a career (in science)

I must say that I had quite an easy time choosing my way in life, my career.

My grandfather who I loved dearly was a professor of civil engineering. I was always wondered, as a child, by the amazing things one could find in his office. A small wood panelled room in his house in Madrid. So many books, trinkets, bones, stones and other wonders! Enough things to make a young boys imagination, that was already asking the “how’s” and “why’s” of life, go completely wild.

I wanted to do what my grandfather did. So I did it. I studied civil engineering and became a professor myself.

It was simple, almost linear. But I am well aware that it’s a rare luck, and I was extremely lucky. Every day I talk with my students. And every day I find in them people struggling to find their way in life, their place.

I can only recommend one thing: do what you love. Make mistakes, live as many experiences as you can and decided upon a good reason.

When you first leave high school you usually haven’t had the chance to take too many life-changing choices, and then, you finish. All of a sudden you are asked to choose what you want to do with the rest of your life. Just like that. Out of the blue. So you sit down and think: “now what?”

You can’t be expected to make the best possible choice just because you’re supposed to. It doesn’t work that way. So what if you’re wrong, what if you pick “the wrong degree” (for you, of course). Well nothing, really. At least you’ve learnt something about yourself, and it’s what you DON’T want to do. You made a mistake, you learnt something, and you pick again. This time, with more information. A degree is not a life sentence; you don’t HAVE to stick to it just because it was your first option.

So when you’re given this second chance make the best of it: surf the web, ask people about their jobs and what they did to get them, travel, read, live. Find out where your heart wants to be. The change doesn’t have to be radical, or maybe it does. Sometimes just a tweak in the right direction makes a gloomy future sunnier. Maybe if this engineering isn’t quite your thing, try that other one. Find which makes your creativity fly.

Once you know for sure what you want to do, do it. If you love it, you’ll be good at it, great even. If you’re great, don’t worry, the money will finish coming your way.

So remember, science is a tree of many branches. Start climbing the trunk and you’ll naturally find your favourite branch. Just do what you love and it will all be just fine.



Edit:

Maybe you might like reading "The Element" by Sir Ken Robinson, a good read and an amazing motivator.