tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post8659871568452591867..comments2024-03-02T14:58:38.991+00:00Comments on The Stuff of Life: Role Models in ScienceElaine Westwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13193552975884308306noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-73692117886153661542011-09-08T16:25:38.684+01:002011-09-08T16:25:38.684+01:00Hi Helen
Thanks for stopping by and telling your ...Hi Helen<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and telling your story. <br /><br />You may be being a little hard on yourself by using the world's view of "success" rather than your own. For me, success is being around for my family when its important (which isn't all the time) and having enough work to be mentally stimulated and fulfilled. Success for me isn't reaching the top of a career path that's been mapped out by others, but finding my own way to fulfill my potential.<br /><br />Changing to a "sustainable" career has been good for me, but I still need to do brain things on top of it and it will be harder for me to get back.<br /><br />And I don't think brilliance comes into it. Traditional success in science requires working long hours as well as being good enough. Another reason for creating your own definition of success.Elaine Westwickhttp://elainewestwick.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-84069076532450585352011-09-08T16:24:22.686+01:002011-09-08T16:24:22.686+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Elaine Westwickhttp://elainewestwick.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-62811349944231139362011-09-07T21:05:02.413+01:002011-09-07T21:05:02.413+01:00Very interested in your article. My kids are now y...Very interested in your article. My kids are now young teens and I'm in my late forties! I felt, like you, that I didn't want them to be in constant childcare and with a husband doing long hours in the same environment, it was always going to be tricky. I 'hung on' in academic science throughout their early years, working one or two days a week, but my eldest didn't enjoy nursery and it was a constant worry. Over the past decade or so, I've gradually increased to working about 2/3 full time but, to be honest, it has been only a partial success. I enjoy the intellectual challenge immensely, but there are constant conflicts between the two roles, and my career limps along rather than flourishes. I still can't really do any work at home, and often have to dive out of meetings early, skip conferences and so on. I don't have a great publication record.<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder whether I shouldn't have got out when they were babies, and sorted out something more sustainable since. Perhaps if I was more brilliant it might have worked better. <br />Who knows? On the whole, it has been enjoyable, but I'm still not sure how the future is going to pan out.Helen Fordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-50541927128441227812011-09-07T06:11:03.973+01:002011-09-07T06:11:03.973+01:00Hi Megan
Glad you enjoyed the post. I am equally ...Hi Megan<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed the post. I am equally competitive but thankfully don't feel the need to be a competitive mother - hence the need for an alternative outlet.<br /><br />I had to pull out of the book chapter in the end....due to lack of time. I was having to work evenings/weekends on it which wasn't sustainable. Its very frustrating but I have to bear in mind that my youngest is still only 2 and there will me more time later. Patience....Elaine Westwickhttp://elainewestwick.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-35907130627873172642011-09-06T14:22:26.228+01:002011-09-06T14:22:26.228+01:00Elaine, I'm so happy to have found your post! ...Elaine, I'm so happy to have found your post! You're me, three years from now. I quit my post-doc 2.5 years ago when my first daughter was born but I miss science intensely. I hate writing "unemployed" in the box on forms. I'm rather competitive so I see it as a personal failure. But I also don't want to leave my daughters to be raised by others, especially since my partner=breadwinner rarely gets home before 9pm. Not so keen on moulding the kids for the psychiatrist's couch. One of my 1-year-old's first words is "quack"- should I take that as a sign?<br /><br />Would love to chat about social media etc for your book. You can find out more about me at:<br /><br />http://recoveringscientist.blogspot.com<br /><br />or twittering occasionally @megan_cullyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11171338829684087595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-46416666890865482172011-06-15T14:07:54.069+01:002011-06-15T14:07:54.069+01:00Thanks for the comments!
Michal - Great to hear y...Thanks for the comments!<br /><br />Michal - Great to hear you are enjoying being back in science. It's depressing how much of your 30s can disappear - I had my 1st at 31, my 2nd at 34 (so not late) but there will be not much of the decade left by the time they are both at school<br /><br />Athene - Wonderful to have you here. Yes, I've seen your review of Opting Out and it is in my pile to be read, I will check out Sticky Floor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-31964468400759304752011-06-15T10:51:56.511+01:002011-06-15T10:51:56.511+01:00Thanks for the puff. Good luck with your own trail...Thanks for the puff. Good luck with your own trail blazing. You may be interested in the following books, which rather reflect your position: <br />Opting Out by Pamela Stone, which I wrote about a bit in http://occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/2011/01/05/academic-life-and-children-fitting-it-all-in/<br /><br />and <br /><br />It's not the glass ceiling it's the sticky floor Karen EngbergAthene Donaldhttp://occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3431025711709130287.post-32775645587354117002011-06-15T08:00:16.386+01:002011-06-15T08:00:16.386+01:00Hi,
I read your post and related to every word. I...Hi,<br /><br />I read your post and related to every word. I am not a scientist though I do work in a science related company- BioData (www.biodata.com). I am 43, I have 3 young kids. When my first kid was born, I too stopped my career and took a long break because, like you, I felt this is better for us as a family. I gave birth to another two kids (the youngest is not almost 2) and 6 months ago, after almost 6 years of being a stay-home-mom, I returned to work. It was not easy for me to make that change and I had many fears, but I also felt that I need to do something for me. So you just make it work- and it's not easy, I admit. But- I am having the time of my life- I enjoy going to work. I didn't feel age was a problem when I looked for work and I am able to manage between both overall not so bad. <br />What I really want to tell you is that you shouldn't worry- the right thing will come for you. You will feel it when you see it. Don't be afraid to go out there and look again. <br />Good luck!<br />MichalMichal Frenkielhttp://www.biodata.comnoreply@blogger.com