How is the current job market for networking?

What are you more likely to read about ? 1) Job Market/ Search 2) How you can become an effective mentor 2) Frustrating things about Science 3) Networking in Science 4) Staying motivated in Science

• I am looking for ideas for a column that I have been commissioned to write. I just want to see what young scientists or postdocs are interested in reading about besides science. It can be about anything really. If you have any suggestions on topics that is more likely to grab your attention, let me know.

• Answer:

  My opinion is that, "besides science", young scientists and postdocs read fiction, news, pop culture news, politics, just as avidly as everyone else. However, we're pretty picky about what we actually read within each category, due to a combination of little leisure time and extremely advanced B.S. detecting skills. Being professional scientists means that we have less time to spend on leisure, which makes us more picky about what we actually read by necessity. I would claim most researchers read a small set of authors/sources that they enjoy/trust. The choosiness of researchers in their leisure time would show up most strongly when reading about news or politics or any argument that affects society as a whole. Due to our background, we tend to prefer reading information that is based on facts, sound logic, and an honest portrayal of statistics. An obvious consequence of our science background is that we become good at spotting faulty logic and general B.S. So, if a news organization or a reporting agency makes some claim that is poorly backed up, we are instantly put off by these organizations. Once you see some group/organization is manipulating information (i.e. lying) to their benefit or to further their agenda, we quickly lose trust on that organization altogether. But again, that's just my opinion, and I only have anecdotal evidence to back it up.