Last year when I actually believed that I was a contender and hence cared rather a lot, the above statement caused me to raise my eyebrow. I was too stressed in my attempt to write the finest ever application, to absorb the full magnificence of this bold request. Fast forward one year coupled with failing in my bid to gain government funds for a post-doctoral fellowship and the realisation that more than 70% of applications are unsuccessful, I no longer give a fuck and subsequently find this statement absolutely fucking hilarious. I simply cannot take this seriously. I vacillate between thinking that some government dude has a sense of humour (entirely impossible) and the realisation that I am not the sort of person who shifts scientific paradigms. If this is the criterion for obtaining a fellowship then I am never going to get one. Which leads me to the question of why am I bothering to apply again? Unfortunately it comes with the territory. I so can’t be bothered. Really I am only interested in clothes, shoes and make-up. Sigh.
Academia sux.
March 9th, 2011 § 2
“Describe any additional information or career highlights which you feel are relevant to your CV. This may include, but is not limited to, any extraordinary contribution you may have made to science which has resulted in a major paradigm shift. This should not include or repeat any information supplied in any other part of the CV”.
That statement kind of makes me want to resign from life. Who can live up to that?!
I most certainly can’t! It makes me feel very inadequate and like I am wasting my time because I am ordinary. Need a career change pronto!