18 Dec 2009, 12:08 pm
lotuspuppy
Veteran
Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Posts: 995
Location: On a journey to the center of the mind
18 Dec 2009, 2:10 pm
18 Dec 2009, 3:14 pm
zer0netgain wrote:
Most students (even the NTs) presume if they get good grades, that's what matters. No. You need good grades AND contacts who will open doors for you. The way you get those contacts is to rub elbows with those who can help you get ahead.
Back out in the real world, you see that's how things are done anyway. You rarely get opportunity and advancement by being good at what you do...it's more about who you know that gets you ahead. Academia follows this model but never openly admits to doing that.
Back out in the real world, you see that's how things are done anyway. You rarely get opportunity and advancement by being good at what you do...it's more about who you know that gets you ahead. Academia follows this model but never openly admits to doing that.
Very well said, zer0netgain.
At least for me, perhaps the most annoying part about academia is that many professors and grad students in my science program insist rather arrogantly that working in industry is "less pure science", and yet both academia and industry indulge very heavily in the politics and ass-kissing. At least the world of industry is more honest and open about it, and pays better; the level of bullsh!tting in academia can be extremely sickening.
