Someone to share my hapiness with.... long story but happy ending!

Hi group, [if you want the end... go down to the stars at the bottom]

I know that I can always count on you all to make life better. I have some really exciting news and wanted someone to share it with. The bf is at work, my parents are well... occupied with other things (my mother is disabled and my father is a horrible business man, so there is always some sort of horrible tension when I call home).

To give you a little background story, I am GRADUATING on December 13 (finally!!! only 4.5 years). It's been a rough road. I have put myself through school via 2 academic scholarships and a rowing scholarship. After graduating I am doing my master's degree.

Here's where the exciting news come in...
I was planning on doing my PhD and masters with this one professor (let's call him Bob) for the past year. I have worked in his lab and enjoy the work very much. Something to be proud of is that I would be the only American in the Lab and only one of two women. Another thing is that my master's and PhD would be completely paid for plus a living stipend. Over time, I have just had this bad feeling that I would be getting into something that would not be good for later in life. When going back to the lab to confirm all of the information (payment, etc) , I received this horrible vibe from from him. [he also told me that my education would never match up to that of his international students] After talking with another professor who I trust completely, he confirmed that joining Bob's lab would not be the best thing. I told Bob on wednesday that I would not be joining him for the PhD program. His first response was that he agreed because he didn't think that I would have made it anyway! I was furious. He continued with stories of other Americans who had failed, and how Americans dont understand the value of a PhD. I interrupted and told him that he knows my hard work ethic and that I hope to keep him as a contact in the future. We left agreeably!

**** Happy part:
So I have been left with a need to pay $17k for tuition for just this upcoming semester (this doesn't include the need for my fall semester too).. so basically i needed $30k to finish out my schooling. I found out that a new professor (who is biomedical stuff, which I want to do) needs help with research. He offered me a position in his lab today that will cover my tuition. In addition, he is very connected in the biomedical field!!! YAY for being able to go to school and not have to pack up and go home!!!

I wanted to tell someone because I just found it out. I called the parents, and they couldn't talk (I haven't even told them that I quit the other lab, so it was going to be huge news).


Thanks for always being here!:D

Congrats for not only graduating and the new job!

And I'm the only American post doc in my lab, and probably one of only 2 in entire building. And... *cough* sometimes I don't work as hard as my non-American co-workers. I go home and ride my bike.

Consider the statements of the first lab guy as idiotic plus he's a jerk. Good riddance. And great huge congratulations on finding a better PhD program in so short a time. I am so happy for you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by polly4711

He continued with stories of other Americans who had failed, and how Americans dont understand the value of a PhD.

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Excuse me?!?!? As an American and a PhD, who works with a bunch of other PhDs (American and non-American, many of the latter who want to become American) I daresay we all know the "value" of a PhD. You're much better off not working with that nit.

Quote:

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I interrupted and told him that he knows my hard work ethic and that I hope to keep him as a contact in the future. We left agreeably!

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Good girl! You never know when his good graces might come in handy. Even though he's a nit.

Congratulations on staying true to yourself and landing a great position. :cool:

Congratulations!!! And agreed - wtf??? You're much better off:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jobob

Excuse me?!?!? As an American and a PhD, who works with a bunch of other PhDs (American and non-American, many of the latter who want to become American) I daresay we all know the "value" of a PhD. You're much better off not working with that nit.

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*cough*

Given the current state of science funding, I'm thinking my phd's not really worth all that much!

And I know a lot of other post-docs that feel pretty similar.

However, most of them aren't American.

We pretty much tell any of the college students or post-bacs that come through the lab - md/phd if you want the phd.

Welp, I beg to differ. And I got my PhD in the late 80's when funding wasn't all that great either. You need to be flexible and not pigeonhole yourself.

Hang in there, and best wishes.

Congratulations! I have always believed vibes/gut feelings are much more than that and should be given serious consideration. I am glad it worked out for you.

To borrow an adjective used by my little nephew, Bob is a "doo dah".

Congrats on your great news. Ihope this will help you out in school as well as life after the degree. Excellent!

Red Rock

Add me to the list of American PhDs, in a biomedical field. I'm more than gainfully employed with plenty of other American PhDs, and foreign ones too. And after all I went through to get it, I'm more than well aware of the value of the PhD. The first guy was a horse's behind and you are well best to be rid of him! Congrats on things working out for the best!!

Congratulations on finding a better situation! And on graduating!

+1 on Doo dah.

Well done, and well spotted. You need a good working relationship with your PhD supervisor. S/he should be a good mentor, someone who knows your strengths and encourages you past your weaknesses. S/he should also be a good scientist. In my book, somebody who classifies and judges students by nationality is not a good scientist. So congrats not only on graduating, but also on getting out of a bad career track and onto a better one. :D