As a student or your young professional, some encounters left me with burning questions. Unfortunately, back then I did not have the courage to ask the questions that came to mind.
I was either too shy and did not want to embarrass anyone. Or I did not believe I was entitled to ask.
Don’t be like me and learn from the four questions I wished had the courage to ask:
What about mediocre people?
Students might have discussions with supervisors or professors about a career in academia. They might even touch the subject of a difficult funding landscape or a uncertain contract situation.
But they are often brushed of with phrases such as: Excellent researchers will always get a good position. Or: If you have an outstanding expertise you will be employed.
But this begs the question, what about mediocre people? What about the average scientist? I never dared to ask these questions for fear of giving the impression that I am only aiming for average results or that I am not willing to work hard.
However, without mediocrity there is no excellence. So the question should be asked.
What difficulties or challenges did you face?
Most speakers tend to show only their successes and achievements when talking about their lives work.
While I am happy that they look back on a successful and fulfilled professional live, I cannot help but wonder: What challenges did you face? What difficulties did you overcome? What were your darkest hours?
It is a shame that I never picked up the courage to ask these questions. There might have been a lot to learn from those their struggles.
Why does it seem so easy for you and so difficult for me?
When talking about their career some professionals make the impression as if they basically fell up the corporate ladder. They implicate that they were offered senior positions without even trying.
Every time I heard those people talk, I could not help but wonder: Why is it so easy for you, and why is it so hard for me?
If I had the courage to ask this question, I might have learned the true extend of their efforts. Maybe it was not so easy for them after all. Unfortunately, I will never know.
Will you support me applying somewhere else?
When changing jobs, it can sometimes feel like you have to do this alone. But why not ask for support from your current boss?
There might be good reasons for not telling your current boss about your job search. But, honestly, none of those reasons ever applied to me. I was not asking for support was because I was either too shy or was avoiding uncomfortable conversations.
Don’t be like me. Ask for support. You might even get it.