Odds of Hanging On

Odds of Hanging On

Once you become a certified expert in something, it's less likely that you're going to leave it for something else. We're not saying it doesn't happen, but with what can be up to fourteen years of specialized education and training behind you, it's unlikely that you're going to wake up one morning with a crushing desire to sell used cars.

Genetics, as a field of study, isn't going anywhere. You won't find yourself magically squeezed out of a job; but that doesn't mean you'll find yourself magically advancing either. Genetics has only been around for about 160 years, which, in terms of science, is not very long at all. That means that progress is rapid, and the methods by which progress progresses can change quickly.

The absolute dependence on computer processing, for example, has caused many in genetics and other sciences to re-think their skill sets. Suddenly, geneticists who can code are more flexible and valuable in the lab than geneticists who can't. Who knows what skills will help you succeed or fail in the future? We certainly don't, but if you want to be Number One Gene Lord fifty years running, we suggest paying a lot of attention to shifts in tech as time marches on.