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Panthera studentessa

Authored by El Fields,   website: pantherastudentessa.blogspot.com

• Member: Since 06/14/2008
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More on forensic science.

As a result of all the -ography benchwork I've been doing, I've had a lot of time to zone out and think about where my education is going. Over the past six months, I've been observing the graduate students and professors that I work with, listening to their stories and talking to them about their experiences. I really started to wonder whether or not this is the kind of program that I can thrive in, and with every day that passes I become more convinced that it isn't-- at least not long-term. I have enjoyed my project intensely and I feel that it has been an invaluable experience, but I can't imagine spending five to six more years of my life like this. I don't handle certain kinds of stress very well, and I'm not thrilled about the amount of time that it is going to take. This program isn't for everyone, and despite my passion for the subject I've just come to accept the fact that a doctorate in ecology is not right for me. That isn't to say I couldn't do. I know I could do it, I just don't think I'm willing to make the kind of commitment that it takes.

Once I made this realization, I had to decide what to do next. I still want to be a biologist, that much is for sure. I started looking at my other passions in life to see what other avenues I could take. It took a while for me to put two and two together and come up with forensic science, and it stemmed out of two conversations that I had recently with the boyfriend. The first conversation happened after I discovered the TV show Bones a few months ago. The boyfriend started watching it with me, and he asked me why I idolized the main character, a female forensic anthropologist. I thought about it for a while and I told him it was because she's a scientist whose work has an immediate, positive influence on people's lives. I think I had started becoming somewhat disenchanted with the fact that I couldn't see any immediate relevance to my research. While I still find it an honorable profession, I was coming to terms with the fact that I want to do something more specific in outcome. I saw her helping people in the form of solving crimes and bringing closure to families, and I knew I wanted to be able to do something similar. The second conversation happened when I mentioned to the boyfriend that I was starting to doubt my future in ecology. He asked me, if I could be anything other than a scientist, what would I be? I didn't think twice before saying I'd like to work in law enforcement. Ever since I was in elementary school I've been a true crime TV show junkie. I've always been fascinated with the justice system and also the whole 'solving a mystery' aspect of it. I think problem solving is a common theme that explains my interest in both science and criminology. After I thought about it, everything just started falling together.

Karina asked me if many people get PhDs in forensic science. I can only think of one university that offers a doctorate in forensic science, and that's CUNY's John Jay College of Justice. Most of the training seems to be concentrated in bachelor's and master's degrees. However, I think there are a number of schools that offer doctorates in anthropology, biochemistry, and the like where you can get a concentration in forensic science. I looked around at job postings for jobs in forensic laboratories and it turns out that a degree specifically in forensic science isn't necessary. They usually list a degree requirement in chemistry or biology. So if I stay in Dr. Calhoun's lab for another year (and by 'another year', I mean another year starting in September 09) and get a master's in physiology, I'll be just as qualified as someone who spent 2-3 years getting a master's in forensic science. Also, one of the technologies that we use in the lab has a lot of applications in forensics. I haven't had the chance to work with it yet, but I will soon, and if I stay I'll make learning it my main focus.

Aside from the time advantage, I also like keeping options open. With a master's in physiology I could seek doctorates in a wider range of fields than if I got one in forensic science, and it also keeps me competitive for jobs in other fields if it becomes necessary. For all I know, the market for forensic scientists could be saturated by the time I graduate.