on Biotechnology

Hi dears, Hope you all are doing well. I know I have always been a kind of unapproachable teacher. Like one who doesn’t smile or joke in the class, which makes you quite, what to say, uncomfortable around me. Well, but trust me, Iam a different kind of person outside the classroom, not much unlike you all. And there are some hard truths that I have been keeping from you. Not just me, most of the other teachers too do that. Well first of all, about our subject Biotechnology. Yes dears, you are damn right. It is a subject which does not have much job opportunities, as of now. Anyone who is telling you otherwise, is plainly lying. Otherwise, why would even an interview for any temporary post related to biotech see people with all high qualifications, like post doc and more than 10 research papers. So you see, with just a Masters in the subject you are going to get nowhere, unless you write some competitive exam and settle for a regular job. Everytime one of you come to me asking about the ‘scope’ of the subject, I feel like crying, but can’t tell you the truth. Because my employers would kick me out, if the students start leaving from the course. Ya, my job is very important for me, you know. So I give you some very good ‘advice’ that you can go teaching, do research, join industry etc etc. But the truth is in all these fields the competition is on an all time high and has their own merits and demerits. For those of you who want to get into research after your Master’s, think twice. Its a never ending journey in the search of some ‘intriguing’ aspect that will keep you going, until you realise that you are good for no other thing anymore. And if you want to get into academics, beware! There are people with several years of research and teaching experience waiting in the queue before you. And if you happen to gain all this, even then the interviewer may throw ‘basic’ questions at you and catch you completely off guard. And industry, of course, is a joke. There are places that you will be crushed and juiced for a very low pay. Then there is the option of Self employment. Good luck with that if your Dad is rich enough.

But in spite of all this, I’d tell you one thing. Go Ahead. Because if you get into and get beyond all this, you will become a really admirable person. You will put your best into everything, knowing that only your best effort can help you survive. Then, I really think you will find new meanings to your life, show the stuff you are made of and create a brave new world. Wish you Luck.