> Still, the real problem with employement for scientists these days
> is primarily an odd mix of overspecialization, too much PhD production,
> too few new jobs.
I've never heard that anyone was ever forced at knifepoint to *do* a
PhD...
It is true that industry now demands PhDs for positions that are readily
fillable by intelligent BSc holders. That, of course, is because they
can easily 'buy' the PhD of their choice at a reasonable price.
>> That is why we have developed an entirely new underclass-- the perpetual
> postdoc.
There are many other career options for the scientifically literate. I
'gave up' (figuratively speaking of course; few scientists ever really
quit science) research after my last contract ran out. I set myself up
as a freelance science writer/editor/proofreader and eventually gained a
semi-permanent contract at one of the world's leading science museums.
Yes of course I'd go back into the lab if offered the 'right' position,
but I don't need to. On the other hand, I could not have developed my
business without the extensive research background I possess.
ANd that Sir, has nothing whatsoever to do with the
> tidiness of a C.V.
'Sir'???? Madame if you please!! While I admit to extensive genetic
engineering expertise, I don't normally try new techniques on my own
genome...<g> It would be interesting to know why you made the
assumption..
