That’s a really smart and honest question, and it’s one that grown-ups think about a lot.
The simple answer is yes, I do. Being a scientist is a professional job, and it pays enough for me to live a comfortable life, take care of my rescue husky, and buy all the ingredients for my somewhat experimental baking projects!
But itβs a great question because it makes me think about how you get ‘paid’ in a few different ways in a job like mine.
1. There’s the money. This is the salary that pays for my house, my food, and my bills. It’s important because it allows me to focus on my work without worrying.
2. There’s the ‘discovery’ payment. This is the incredible feeling you get when an experiment finally works and you learn something new that no one in the world knew before. That moment of “Aha, I figured it out!” is a reward that you can’t put a price tag on. It’s the thrill of solving the puzzle.
3. And then there’s the ‘impact’ payment. This is knowing that the work you are doing could one day help someone. The idea that a material I helped design might be used in a new medical device or make technology better for people is a huge and wonderful reward.
So, while the money is definitely important, it’s the combination of all three of those ‘payments’ that makes being a scientist feel like a really rich and worthwhile career.
I don’t think anyone here will say no a salary increase π all jokes aside, I am paid quite well for a junior role, however It’s always important to reach for the stars if you want to and make sure that you are comfortable with what you earn. This can depend on a lot of things such as where you live, your expenses, if you care for others, have children and so much more. For myself, it is enough.
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aureliabrzezowska commented on :
I don’t think anyone here will say no a salary increase π all jokes aside, I am paid quite well for a junior role, however It’s always important to reach for the stars if you want to and make sure that you are comfortable with what you earn. This can depend on a lot of things such as where you live, your expenses, if you care for others, have children and so much more. For myself, it is enough.