Sunday, June 8, 2008

The Worst Jobs in Science





Are you the kind of person who enjoys stomping around garbage dumps, swimming through sewage, examining maggots, or scooping up whale dung? (Really? Me, too!) Then you might want to check out MSNBC's list of the "Worst Jobs in Science." If nothing else, working your way to the top of one of these professions will make you a HUGE hit at cocktail parties. (Who wants to talk to another lawyer when there's a whale dung researcher in the room?)

Check out the list here. (Those of you who blush at frank discussions of elephant anatomy should probably skip #3. But just remember--it's SCIENCE! You can't go around blushing if you intend to save the world!)

On a somewhat related note, Newsweek magazine has an interesting article about the growing number of "Nerd Girls"--girls who are just as comfortable in engineering and science classes as they are in high heels. (This is news? Maybe the author of the article needs a copy of Kiki Strike!)

19 comments:

Kitty said...

Uh... No thanks, I wanna stick to being a detective.

Kitty said...

Oh yeah, is anyone else besides me boiling? The a/c downstairs is broken. And it's 90° here (well, yesterday it was 99° tho... XD)! I wanna go swimming... But I just woke up (yup, I really just woke up, not kidding) so I'm eating brunch. Well, not yet 'cuz my Dad's still cooking it (KOREAN FOOD AGAIN!!! ^o^).

Kirsten Miller said...

I'm pretty darn hot at the moment. It's about 260 degrees in New York today. And it's supposed to be even hotter tomorrow.(As I'm sure you know.)

I slept late, too, cause my bedroom is the only room with A/C. (I'm trying to save the planet by torturing myself.)

Your dad is cooking in 90 degree heat? Very impressive. I'm going to have a nice, cool cheese sandwich now. And maybe some lemonade.

Anonymous said...

In this heat I had a random thought: what is in a cucumber sandwich. is all it is slices of bread with cucumbers in it?

Aninnymouse said...

The girl nerd article is awesome! You'd think more people would know not to underestimate us... And yes, it's hot and humid here, too. Only an hour ago, it was 85 f, with 100% humidity. Hasn't decreased much, either.

Kirsten Miller said...

anonymous: I believe some are made with cream cheese. And a little Mayo if you're into Mayo.Or you can do just cucumbers and butter. I'm making myself hungry.

Ariana said...

I really want to read the nerd girl article, but my old windows computer won't let me. Our mac is in repair all week and This 8 year old computer is too old and slow!!!(sorry windows people)

It is very humid and rainy here!

Ananka/Kirsten: did you see Indiana Jones yet?(in an old post you said you were excited for it)I saw it and LOVED it!!!!

Invisible Turtle said...

What do you mean 'just as' comfortable? If I were 'just as' comfortable with math and science as I were in dresses and high heels, I would still be working on 7+x=8 and stuff. I'm WAY more comfortable in a lab coat!

Kirsten Miller said...

IT: Lab coats look great with high heels. ;) Don't tell me--send a comment to the NY Times! Fight the power!

Ariana: No, I haven't yet. I really need to get off my butt and get to the movies!

Raph said...

Well, I'm glad Newsweek has finally realized that it's possible to be both smart/passionate and cool. xD We've known that for a while. ^^

99 degrees is... 37 celsius. That's incredibly hot. o.o There was one horrible summer, though, when it peaked at about 42/43 degrees here? (107/109 Fahrenheit.) I hope that never happens again.

And I've never had AC! Usually when it gets like that, I put a hand towel in iced water, and then put it on top of my head. Or take a cold shower. I'll try and find you guys a website which has 'tips for staying cool', if you like.

Michele said...

I agree with Ariana. The new Indiana Jones movie was incredible! I think you would like it Kirsten. :-)

Patsee said...

I did a double-take on #9 of the jobs-- I thought it said "forensic etymologist." /That/ would definitely be my kind of job.

Random Irregular said...

Nerd Girls rule!
Here it is cold and perfect(it's been like this for three weeks now. Paradise)
Vote for Ananka's Diary! I'll out up the links on my blog. Whoppee!

Anonymous said...

I don't like examining dead bodies, but I would LOVE to be a garbologist! People throw away such iteresting stuff... But it's kind of sad, how much recycable/compostable stuff is sent to landfills. Worms don't want to crawl through a bunch of stuff to get their food.(Even if it's Korean food! ;P)
PS It's roasting here, too)

liltomboyblue11;) said...

@ my school they have started a new project called
'Project Lead The Way'. it's all about engineering and science and math. it's very focused on getting girls into it to. it's a really great program, and my school is already choc full of nerds. I LOVE it!!!!! though it's a bummer nerds (mainly girls) are just getting noticed....

Kirsten Miller said...

Raph: I AM SO HONORED! Thank you for nominating me! Would it be bad form to put up a post on the blog?

Raph said...

Kirsten: Not at all! Post. It. Now. :)

Kitty said...

IT'S 260°??? That's just crazy! But I feel bad for the people in my Chinese school barbecuing! XD Lol, in hundread ° weather!

ss ( i want doritos) chick said...

καθένας έχει ένα kangeroo μωρών που έχω έξι και είναι μπλε. Καθένας ξέρει τι λέω ή ποια γλώσσα αυτό είναι; σε αυτή την περίπτωση, παρακαλώ πέστε έτσι και πέστε σε όλους τους ανθρώπους που δεν ξέρουν.


I'm NOT hot. it snowed here today. but soon enough I shall be sun tanning in Portland/Miami/Dallas.
until then (saturday, presicely{did i spell that right?}) I will have to deal with staying inside and out of the crazy strong winds while eating s'ghetti and listening to Spoon/Vampire Weekend/ Arcade Fire/ Kooks (woo-hoo! alternative!) tee-hee, byee



mua-ha-ha-ha-ha...