Hunting for Inspiration

Every week this summer, we’ve had the opportunity to hear from extremely successful scientists about their career paths and research. The problem? They’re all extremely successful. It’s difficult not to hold a romantic view of scientific careers when you’ve only heard from unbelievably intelligent, inspired people who have achieved rousing success in almost every one of their endeavors. Dr. Hunt Willard is one of those people, but he offered what I believe to be a more realistic perspective on the life of a scientist. He exposed all the difficulties of being a scientist, not to discourage us, but to give us fair warning of what’s ahead.

Dr. Willard advised us to focus on the questions, not the techniques. This is something I’ve learned to do this summer, because frankly, the techniques are mind-numbing. The questions, the answers, the discussion—that’s what matters, and what excites me most.

He encouraged us to “wonder” freely. People tend to think of scientists as being very methodical and closed-minded, but in fact, the most successful scientists are those who are an expertly homogenized blend of meticulous and imaginative.

I love to try new things, so long as they fit into my schedule. I pride myself on always having a plan and investing heavily in the future. Dr. Willard, however, warned that the path of a scientific career is not linear or predictable. This both terrifies and inspires me. What if I never find a research project? What if I do but I can’t get funding? What if I conduct an amazing research project and change the face of medicine? All are possibilities.

He said, “You’re planning a career based on questions you can’t yet conceptualize, using methods that haven’t been invented yet.”

To me, nothing has ever sounded more daunting, nor more awesome.