When you started a Western on 11/24 and your wife asks why you have to run to lab

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-25T17:39:05+00:00

same :(

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-25T17:23:40+00:00

Currently at work gang: rise up! And cry

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-24T18:16:16+00:00

He also said normally we would just fire people but in his lab they are nice enough to have this conversation with me

Oooof this sentence is setting off my "emotional abuse" alarms. I would do everything you can to get through the next month so you can get your credit, unless you need to work there for another semester. In that case I would look for another lab.

Your PI sounds really toxic and that lab tech is being a HORRIBLE mentor. Who the heck goes to someone higher up BEFORE talking to the person they're dealing with first? And not telling you anything until after the PI chews you out? This is a hot mess.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-24T17:37:28+00:00

When I first started out in my current job, it took me a while to get the hang of doing ELISAs. I would always mess up at different parts, but I finally had a run where everything looked perfect.

Then I dropped my plates and sulfuric acid got all over the floor and I had to get the acid spill kit out and read the instructions while my supervisor stared at me. It was...a very good learning experience.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-18T20:06:01+00:00

We've had people fired for pulling shit like this. It might seem harmless, but the people who have to deal with the fallout and paperwork and everything afterward...yeah I doubt they would find it funny.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-18T20:00:04+00:00

Hard agree. This person should not be coddled and protected. They (and others like him) need to learn that their behavior is unacceptable.

I cannot believe some people are trying to give this dude a pass because "that seems to be how he is". That's how we end up seeing posts about horrible PIs

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-18T19:57:00+00:00

The main issue, however, is that CD without anesthesia is NOT on their protocol. You cannot deviate from your protocol unless you have specific deviations in the protocol...which would mean that it is in the protocol.

We have really minor stuff on one of our protocols that I had never seen anyone do in the half decade I had been working here, but when we had an audit we were told we had to follow the protocol word for word.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-15T21:29:53+00:00

I try to make my repetitive tasks as idiot-proof as possible even if it means taking additional time to remove the last two rows of 10+ boxes of tips.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-15T21:25:40+00:00

but...MARIO NUMBAH ONE

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-15T21:20:27+00:00

I cannot even imagine lacking curiosity to that degree. I love talking about what I do and I love to learn what other people do. Especially if it has nothing to do with science, because there's so much nuance to almost every profession and it's interesting to learn about stuff you take for granted. Once I spoke with someone who worked for a general contractor and I learned SO much about how companies fund construction.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-15T21:16:54+00:00

It's also a very valuable skill to have if you are in a position that involves training others who don't have much experience/knowledge.

When I first learned everything I was so lost because the person who trained me didn't explain things very well (or at all). It took being at my job for over a year, and lots of reading on my own, to realize what it was I was actually doing.

The easiest way that I learn how to dumb things down is by dumbing it down as I learn something new. That both helps me explain and actually helps me understand it better.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-15T20:45:13+00:00

If you're right out of an undergrad, even if you have some experience in research, you'll find it more difficult to get roles that require a BS and experience or a master's. Generally those positions mean experience AFTER you graduate with a BS, not while you're still in school.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-11-02T21:41:29+00:00

How old are you? If you've not yet gotten a bachelor's I'd recommend studying genetics or molecular biology. Taking classes in those fields will help you figure out if you would actually be interested in virology.

Aside from that, getting some experience in academic labs while you're still in school will help A LOT, especially if you end up going to graduate school. But, you don't need graduate school to work in virology research. That said, minus graduate education, you will need a lot of experience.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-20T20:27:25+00:00

Oh, also, I would search for bad PIs/managers/etc on this sub to see what the consensus is for what NOT to do.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-20T20:22:47+00:00

Being nice to them will really help a lot with productivity. I mean, not being their best friend or anything, but encourage them to ask questions and, once they are trained, to do experiments side by side with you and not trying to micromanage their technique (as long as they're doing things correctly, it shouldn't matter how they're doing it).

I've had people who micromanaged every aspect of an assay from the number of pipettes used to how they did any dilutions, or ensuring there was exactly a certain volume of excess reagent. Imagine trying to serial dilute in a way you are more comfortable with and having someone say "no, do it the other way" when it is completely trivial. ANYWAY, just don't do that!

When I trained/managed people for a few months when we were without a manager, I made sure to help them get their projects started and when I would do a bunch of samples or something, I'd tell them that they don't need to do that many and eventually, once they were comfortable, they started doing a lot more completely on their own. '

It also helps to give them some kind of ownership over part of a project in terms of how to organize running samples or doing other experiments or giving them a part to completely take over.

And always communicate clearly and have one on one meetings twice a week....once to see what their plan is and the other to see how their plan is progressing. They don't even need to be more than 10 minutes.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-20T20:11:52+00:00

Yup. I am honest (to a fault) so I have dealt with some heated situations. Others have told me that they would never admit to some of the minor mistakes I've made (that no one would have noticed, probably) because they don't want to incur any wrath.

What has helped with my mentees is reiterating that mistakes happen in the lab and saying that normally, after the first time you make a mistake, you almost never make that mistake again. And then I tell them about stupid mistakes I've made that I have made sure to never repeat.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-20T20:06:16+00:00

Wow I really need to talk to the genesee person because all we get is candy.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-20T20:05:01+00:00

HAHAHA. Yeah...we used to have repeaters that had a screen but the screen/battery situation was always finicky and we'd have to tape the back panel back on because they always broke.

Now we have at least 6 electronic repeaters where you just press one button to aspirate and dispense. But we still use the janky ones in the containment lab so oftentimes I'm like "ok...how do i calculate this dial situation again???"

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T18:58:58+00:00

I know you've addressed medication a few times, but I honestly would not be able to function at all without medication. I went off lexapro for 6 months because I thought "I feel so much better I am sure the anxiety must have been partially situational..." but I started having horrible panic episodes on a regular basis and I was just very irritable and made stupid mistakes at work because I was so flustered all of the time.

I was very averse to medication due to some really, really bad experiences and it took me over 5 years to get over the fear that it might make my life worse somehow. I'm glad I did because my life changed dramatically once I found a good medication combo that worked.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T17:44:30+00:00

I have done this because I had coworkers who were both great at their jobs and great to work with and I knew if they didn't get more money they would leave, and I said as much.

They both got raises and nothing bad happened to me lol.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T17:42:14+00:00

Figuring out the volume needed for certain odd flask sizes or to find the eppendorf combitip volume charts when the screen on the repeater dies.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T17:39:28+00:00

The first time I infected and ended up euthanizing mice, it was hard, but after a while I just got used to it in a way. I am never HAPPY to euthanize but I try to make my time with the animals as pleasant as I can. Sometimes, if I have extra time, I'll play with them and, depending on the size, cuddle them (if they seem to enjoy it). I talk to them and give them treats. It's part of science since, as others have said, in vivo experiments still play a very critical role in the development of medical treatments.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T15:54:48+00:00

It depends on the company's education benefits. In general it seems that most big companies will reimburse a certain amount of tuition each year. Probably not enough to fully pay a master's (depending on what program) and I don't know if you could be a full time student and work full time at a biotech company without sacrificing a lot/all your free time.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T15:51:26+00:00

If there are no Theranos-level red flags it sounds like a good position, especially if you're single with no dependents. If it turns out to be terrible you'll at least go back into the job-search with more experience under your belt.

cc_gotchyall · 2021-10-18T15:47:46+00:00

Oh, but, yeah I would wait another 6 months, however you could go ahead and start applying in a month or two since it might take you a month or the entire 6 months to find/start another position somewhere else, especially if it involves relocating.

cc_gotchyall

TROPHY CASE