Erin writes:
Your talk inspired me to
venture out and find even more opportunities to pursue within my
anticipated major. Currently I am looking into earning my PhD
in Genetic Research. I also realize that life doesn't always
go as planned so my back up is to work for a brewing company using
my knowledge in the microbiology
field.
The
main reason for my e-mail is to as you a question. How and or
why did you go from a degree in genetics to a PhD in
microbiology?
Since
I am considering going the opposite direction I was wondering why
you went this direction and how it has helped you in your life and
how it has lead to your amazing experiences you shared with us in
class.
Dear Erin,
Thank you again for submitting this question. For me, a
genetics degree meant two things:
1. It was new, groundbreaking, and to me- incredibly
interesting
2. It was a way to open doors to many possible career
fields
When I decided that grad school was the next step, I
realized I wanted something that built off my undergraduate degree,
but that was more specialized and had tangible impacts to real
people. For me that was moving from basic science research in
genetics to the genetics of how viruses interact with cells they
invade. Interestingly, I no longer work with viruses, but now work
in human genetics, but everything I learned about advanced
techniques in genetics research, how to present scientific
research, and truly how to learn and seek out credible resources,
all of this I learned during my time working on viruses during my
PhD. So again, building off the opportunities that were available
to me has all contributed to my career as a museum
scientist.
What about heading in the opposite direction, as you said,
going from microbiology to genetics. I don't see any reason why
this would close doors. Having a solid education in one of the
country's best Microbiology Departments (yes, of course I'm biased,
Colorado State University is my alma mater), means you have a broad
knowledge of everything from bacteria to viruses to parasites and
vector biology. Here's just one example of how you can build off
your undergrad degree after moving into genetics: the growing
field studying microbiomes and the potential interplay of genetics
and epigenetics on how microbiome communities symbiotically exist
within us. Here's another: Gene expression systems that use
bacteria to make proteins that can be used in the pharmaceutical
and medical fields.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is an
incredible amount of potential with the degrees you mentioned and
more opportunities to come in the future. The key is to pick
something you are truly interested in. Completing a PhD is
incredible, but it's no cake walk. If you are absolutely invested
and find yourself 110% dedicated to the research, because you in
fact cannot wait to see the results of your work, then you are in
the right field. So in short, find something that you love,
something that when you talk to your friends and family about you
get animated and you just can't help but share your
enthusiasm.
Good luck Erin!
Yo Pearl
------
If you have a question for Yo
Pearl the Science Girl, please use the "Have a Question" form
at www.dmns.org/molecularcell
to submit for an answer. I look forward to hearing from
you!
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