Is clinical experience worth a shorter term commitment

[el799]

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Hi all,

I have posted on this issue before but my thoughts were a little jumbles as were the responses so I am trying again with a little more information

Current lab: been here for a year and a half.
1 publication with another on the way
I think a pretty good and growing relationship with my PI
Really cool research in drug discovery
I am getting more and more responsibility in the lab
large group (20-30 members)
Cons:
no clinical work and I have a hard time finding good clinical work elsewhere

New lab offer
Pros
Lab of the chair of the department of neurosurgery
cool research in stroke biochemistry
sounds like with my experience they hinted at lots of autonomy and responsibility from the get-go
hinted at good publication opportunities
PI said that he does take students with him for clinical work. (I think huge right?)
Talked about sterling rec letter for hard dedicated workers (I think I am one)
Small group (maybe 5-10 members)
Cons:
less overall commitment on my application vs 1 lab for 4 years
PI scares the living daylights out of me (hes not mean I just am intimidated by figures like him)
I generally dont like change after I feel comfortable somewhere

Would appreciate votes and also any advice on additional information I should look at in each lab such as funding cause I have no clue how to tell how well funded a lab is.

 

[panbimbo]

Hi all,

I have posted on this issue before but my thoughts were a little jumbles as were the responses so I am trying again with a little more information

Current lab: been here for a year and a half.
1 publication with another on the way
I think a pretty good and growing relationship with my PI
Really cool research in drug discovery
I am getting more and more responsibility in the lab
large group (20-30 members)
Cons:
no clinical work and I have a hard time finding good clinical work elsewhere

New lab offer
Pros
Lab of the chair of the department of neurosurgery
cool research in stroke biochemistry
sounds like with my experience they hinted at lots of autonomy and responsibility from the get-go
hinted at good publication opportunities
PI said that he does take students with him for clinical work. (I think huge right?)
Talked about sterling rec letter for hard dedicated workers (I think I am one)
Small group (maybe 5-10 members)
Cons:
less overall commitment on my application vs 1 lab for 4 years
PI scares the living daylights out of me (hes not mean I just am intimidated by figures like him)
I generally dont like change after I feel comfortable somewhere

Would appreciate votes and also any advice on additional information I should look at in each lab such as funding cause I have no clue how to tell how well funded a lab is.

I'd personally do it. But that's because neurosurgery entralls me.

 

[crazymedguy123]

What research do you like more? And when you say he brings students for clinical work, you mean he lets you shadow, yes? I think it would be cool to shadow but shadowing a neurosurgeon is not an opportunity that is going to make adcoms get palpitations from how amazing you are haha.

Really this just comes down to which lab interests you more. I would also weigh the fact that you KNOW you can perform work that will generate publications with the lab you are at now (since you are on one) whereas I have been in 3 different labs in my life that have told me I would be on several publications, but I am currently on 0. Not from a lack of time/effort, but sometimes experiments and plans don't work out. Just something to consider when choosing, but ultimately, mostly choose based on what you prefer to do.

 

[el799]

What research do you like more? And when you say he brings students for clinical work, you mean he lets you shadow, yes? I think it would be cool to shadow but shadowing a neurosurgeon is not an opportunity that is going to make adcoms get palpitations from how amazing you are haha.

Really this just comes down to which lab interests you more. I would also weigh the fact that you KNOW you can perform work that will generate publications with the lab you are at now (since you are on one) whereas I have been in 3 different labs in my life that have told me I would be on several publications, but I am currently on 0. Not from a lack of time/effort, but sometimes experiments and plans don't work out. Just something to consider when choosing, but ultimately, mostly choose based on what you prefer to do.

Nope not shadowing , actual hand on with a patient