AUSTIN, TEXAS — Taylor Sabatina is a Research Assistant at the University of Texas at Austin in their Microbiology Department.
It has been two years since she graduated from the University’s undergraduate program, and she is thinking of returning for a Ph.D.
“I really love the thought of grad school. The schedules, the order, sense of self-derived from being underpaid for grueling teaching and research work.”
Taylor’s long-term career goal includes becoming an Adjunct Professor, hoping to keep the trend of woefully low-paying and underappreciated jobs going.
Her mother, Vivian Sabatina, is supportive of Taylor’s career plans.
“Oh, my Taylor. She’s a good case study on why drinking during the second trimester of a pregnancy is not a good idea,” said Mrs.Sabatina.
She continued: “But if she wants another degree, I support her. I don’t mind working into my 70s to financially assist my adult child with her academic pursuits.”
Dr.Morelle Banckrup, the Principal Investigator in Taylor’s lab, is excited at the thought of one of his RAs joining the University’s Ph.D. program.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the lab! For us not to have to hire a full-time staff member and pay them an actual salary for a variety of technically difficult and mentally taxing tasks, now we can just load all of that onto Taylor,” said Dr.Banckrup.
Taylor does have her doubts about pursuing a graduate degree but believes it is the best path forward for her.
“All my friends seem to know what they’re doing. Every other day online, I see someone getting engaged, a promotion, vacationing, and living a life that seems better than my own. It’s as if the days are getting blurred together, honestly ask me if it is a Tuesday or Thursday, and I wouldn’t be even able to answer.”
“I am 23 years old, and I have no idea what I want to do, who I want to be. Just give me some structure. Please give me some meaning. Wow, I must be watching too much BoJack Horseman.”
