Dear Gayle,
	
	I'm afraid I agree with Ian.  For the hours worked, the expertise
required, and the dedication to continuing education required, science -
particularly biological science does suck.  I manage a lab, I am
responsible for everything, I am on call 24hrs/day - 7 days/week, I get
paid less than half what I would earn if I left science to manage almost
any other sort of business during normal working hours.

	Although I don't always agree, my former course co-ordinator form
university says I am one of his success stories.

	Doesn't aways feel like success in my book!  I cannot earn enough to save
for a house deposit, 12 month contracts prevent me from increasing my
credit card limit, or getting a loan to take a holiday or buy a car (or a
house even if I had the deposit).  The rewards of doing something you
really love & enjoy are not enough to compensate for poor financial
returns, & lack of permanency.

	I know so many fellow students & workmates who really regret their decsion
to enter science, & have since moved on to other careers.  I am just trying
to think back to the class I started with in 1988.  I get confused with the
class that started the following year.

	1988 -14 students started, 9 students completed the 3 year course, (only 6
in 1991 graduation)
		1 immediately entered the police force.
		1 worked in labs for a while, last I heard was trying to get into the IT
industry.
		At least 1 of the girls has married & works only part-time.
		1 moves between lab work & sales.
		2 students were from OS & returned home.
		1 worked in labs for a while & now works in the wine industry (OK still
involved with bacteria)
		I will be unlikely to still be in medical science in 12 months.

	1989 - 23 students started, 18 students completed the 3 year course, (only
12 in 1992 graduation).
		1 was diverted from biological science into applied chemistry prior to
completing the course.
		1 worked in labs for a while & went of into a new career (which was
nothing to do with science).
		1 worked in labs for a while before becoming a masseuse on a cruise ship
for a while then entering physiotherapy.
		1 student was diverted to a general science degree prior to completing
the course.
		2 or 3 students were from OS & returned home
		1 graduated  but returned to the uni to run the practical lab.
		1 went on to gain a PhD, but is about to drop out & have a career in
internet selling.

	Here is a whole lot of people (almost an entire class from a small
university) who are voting with their feet & are saying that science is not
a wonderful, exciting, place to be.  OK there are a few gaps but I live &
work in another part of the country so am a bit out of the loop.  You can
argue that pushing young people into careers before they have experience in
the world is also a contibuting feature.  But the fact remains, they did
the study, failed to meet their expectations in the workplace, & most would
disown their children if they were to ever consider a future in science!
	
	People entering this field should know that it is tough, wages &
conditions are poor, but advancement is possible if you are prepared to
work much harder than in almost any other industry.

	My 2 cents

	Rob W.

At 07:16 08/24/2000 +0000, you wrote:
>I tried and lost the battle of biting my tongue and resisting comment here
>- BUT
>Loss of a job may enter the (Gasp! Sorry!) I quote "sucks" category, but I
>never thought that science or biological science fit into this niche.
>Myself and tons of others would not be doing what we do, with excitement, a
>sense of fun, the continuous challenge of learning for the sake of healing
>(clinical) or solving scientific questions in related biological fields
>(research).     
>Sorry to disagree, but this message hurt my scientific sensibilities and
>certainly is no vote of confidence for those just entering their
>biological/scientific careers, particularly in the field of histotechology.

>>"Dr. Ian Montgomery." wrote:
>>>  Noreen,
>>> Although it must be really devastating losing your job under such
>>> circumstances there is a bright side, this might be your chance for a
>>> career change. Remember, science and particularly biological science,
>>> sucks.
>>> Ian.
>>> Dr. Ian Montgomery,
>>> West Medical Building,
>>> University of Glasgow,
>>> Glasgow,
>>> G12 8QQ.
>>> Tel: 0141 339 8855.  Extn:6602.
>>> Fax: 0141 330 2923
>>> e-mail: ian.montgomery@bio.gla.ac.uk
>Gayle Callis
>Veterinary Molecular Biology
>Montana State University
>Bozeman MT 59717-3610
>406 994-4705
>406 994-4303


Robert Wadley,
Laboratory Manager
Cellular Analysis Facility  *** Services now available 24 hrs/7days ***
School of Microbiology & Immunology
UNSW, New South Wales, Australia, 2052
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E-mail	r.wadley@unsw.edu.au
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