Obsolete...? - (Mar/10/2009 )
Hey esquared,
You've gotten some pretty good advice and differing povs here...but rereading your original post, you wrote that you're basically a grad student but are not..what exactly does this mean? Your boss is going to accept you in his lab later on as a grad student, was that your original agreement or are you in there just to learn some techniques so you can apply somewhere else? I guess it's really time for The Talk with your boss...you can't procrastinate... esp if all this is already dragging you down....and then you can make a decision whether to accept the other job offer...
casandra
esquared on Mar 10 2009, 10:41 AM said:
Thoughts?
End Rant.
If money is a sticking point, then grad school/science probably isn't for you. But I do think that well trained tech is a great thing to have in the lab. But one problem for you is that your PI knows you want to leave the lab eventually for grad school, so why would he spend time and money training you up to know lots of techniques, when he could get the grad to do it for a) less money and
longer time in the lab? Telomerase on Mar 11 2009, 06:40 AM said:
GeorgeWolff on Mar 11 2009, 03:07 AM said:
Have an honest discussion with your boss regarding being a grad student in his lab. With a poor GPA, it's not likely having your name on a paper will count that much for other folks. Explain that you (I assume) love science and need to decide now if there's a chance to progress. Ask for a commitment with timing, Failing that, take the other job.
Do folks still take the GRE? What was your score on that?
Odd that, wherever I was, they made a point in telling that grades alone don't make a good graduate student and that PIs aren't concerned with grades at all. If there's no stellar CV, the preferred way of recruitment is to get someone working voluntarily several weeks before the institute PhD recruitment date, and then see if they are worth something.
Papers count more, because contrary to grades, which just measure the ability to do tests, it's considered real.
If you really want to be a grad student, just talk with your boss. Remaining a technician has its good sides - advanced technicians are those who get full salary, not a stipend and they are a real power at the lab. A figure of an experienced technician, pillar of the lab, taking care of the freshmen, providing stability, reliabilility and with her name in the papers, is such a common picture.
That student guy - it's easiest just to befriend him and figure out rules between you and him on your own, without concerning the boss. I suppose the guy might be clueless about the situation. You might produce a grateful follower instead of an enemy.
As for you being a grad student "not oficially, but I was promised" is such a bad idea. I lived through it and at last, applied properly somewhere else.
It was my understanding that eventually I would apply to school here and likely work in this lab. Things being what they are in the science world, particularly for a young PI I dont know that he would be able to have two grad students right now, and money is becoming more of an issue for me. So I guess that now Im not really sure were I stand. I also feel like I should have a talk with him regarding salary because Im not sure how the addition of the grad student will affect me... I do understand its his priority to have a grad because he wants to teach.
Thanks for all the good advice
If you never told the PI, he might have thought you are happy being a technician and motivated just for that.
I am sorry, I think this is important - you have started the discussion with differences about male/female at the lab, but the truth is we so often glass-wall ourselves, because we do not even say that we care. We think we aren't worthy. PIs take grade students who actually wave with the need of doing research.
Please be concious that you are worthy, you are a specialist, you can't just work like a little ant and wait for someone to notice. Loud, articulated males without any doubts about their worth will win over and over, if you do that. At least, you try, if you don't make it - well you've tried.
Keep calm, proud, smiling with your head up and good luck. 
I think its best for you if you sat down and a had a talk thats truthfull about what you really feel. Do not be afraid to find another tech position somewhere else that might actually value your skills. Also be very open to your boss about how the other grad student is treating you. Also tell him that frankly you feel you could do a better job. Do teh RTPCR on your own, and then bring it to your boss saying you did it in you free time and found that your method works, etc while the other dude struggles.
And if all fails if I were you, i would start looking for other positions, or even accept the other better paying job you were talking about. But before you leave, give the idiot grad student a f=ing piece of your mind! In front of other people. Men have big egos, do it infront of others and you would have hurt him like hell. Dont raise your voice, do it in a calm manner looking straight into his face.
And dont be afraid of speaking your mind.
you go get 'em girl
I'd not dwell of how you feel. Be specific about what you want - your goal to be a grad student and short term pay. The issue is your future - not the grad student.
I agree with George, but differ with Roara--don't dwell on how you feel, but don't necessarily give the grad student a piece of your mind. Idiots typically measure out enough rope to hang themselves with. You just need to keep your composure and smile sweetly when he's being a jerk. Then, when he's mid-sentence, turn your back and ignore him. Repeat as necessary.
After 10 years, I have found that some grad students act like jerks to techs because they feel that they must prove themselves at all times, to all people. Techs are less threatening to them, and are frequently the only other person in the lab so no witnesses are involved. They don't know how to shut off the competitive drive and continue to act unprofessionally (bully) until stopped.
If your boss won't do it (or is also guilty), then discreetly call others' attention to it. Learn the office politics of your department, and figure out how to socialize with the other profs if possible. Try initiating friendships with other, friendlier grad students; they may help you get into a great grad student position in another lab. Not everyone judges a person's ability and worth simply by their GPA. A good work ethic from someone who gets on well with others is valued highly by many bosses.
lab rat