Post date: Jul 30, 2012 7:40:06 PM
Last year, instead of doing research in a lab, I learned from videos and reading scientific books that were to be donated to a library. I can't believe just how different the experience was: To begin with, I was not on a computer all day, or at least not everyday, nor straining my eyes to make precise measurements on a screen. While I didn't exactly enjoy filing papers and exposing myself to suspicious printer lasers, at least my eyes didn't tire our from a flickering glow of white light.
Ironically, I might have learned more indirectly from reading a vast array of books than working in the lab, most likely due to the focus of study working in a direct science task vs. a broad but surface level detail I was exposed to by literature.
I can't say I've enjoyed my indoor experience. While I appreciate the significance of what I have learned in a building, I have definitely enjoyed the literally, field trips we have taken much more. This experience definitely makes me question my desire to go into research, especially since a lot of it is lab time.
But today I saw a documentary of a biologist and filmmaker tracking and following (by foot) a herd of caribou in Alaska. Perhaps there are outdoor related careers that would be more to my liking.