Is your research interesting?

[nezlab99]

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Mine's not. I should qualify that... it's not to me.
The problem is, a professor I really respect pulled some strings to get me this research job. I had told him I would like to work in his lab, but he didn't have any paying positions available, and I really needed some money. To my surprise, he convinced the professor I'm working for to take a chance on me, and told her I was his best student ever. So, now I'm in a botany lab working with cotton (which I am not remotely interested in), and everyone is trying to convince me to get a PhD instead of an MD. I don't know what to do; I am so not interested in the research that I dread going to work every day. Although it isn't what I wanted, should I just shut up and role with the punches and see if it pays off later?

 

[Espion]

Mine was pretty cool. We researched novel drug delivery systems for organophosphate toxicity. We had excellent results and a ton of interest from the military.

Even though your research is boring, I wouldn't turn down the opportunity for different contacts and a unique experience. Broaden your horizons a bit, 'cause nothing lasts forever. :wink:

 

[lola]

I've done four research projects I wasn't really interested in. Initially I was interested in one, but the others were pretty boring. Just roll with the punches unless it's a long term post or you really dislike it. If you're planning on doing it for less than a year, you can learn something from it and move on. If you really hate it, maybe talk to your boss and say you appreciate the opportunity but want to do something medically related.

 

[simpleG]

i worked in a clinical lab for 3 years, and it wasn't that interesting to me for a long while. i've realized that the gathering of data is a pain in the ass. the same assay over and over and over again for months. it's when you've assembled all the data and start relating it to previously published papers, and find answers that may contribute to something out there. that's when it gets interesting.

so even though i didn't like the boring bench work, as an MD, you'll have your own little nezlab99 working for you, and you can have the fun job of analyzing the data (more or less, sometimes bench work is inevitable). i'd try to find a project where you can get both ends. don't count out research all together...you might just be getting one perspective.

 

[Trek]

Just suck it up for a while and you'll be fine. Get the recs and bail when the time is right. --Trek