For Those Who Feel Lost in Research—Welcome to the Club

R3ciprocity.com - Prof David Maslach: Innovation; Research Life; Striving Towards Happiness · Mar 20, 2025 · 10m

Some people think there’s a clear path to success in research—that there’s a small, elite group of people who always knew what they were doing. But that’s not reality. The truth is, if you feel lost, uncertain, or like an outsider, you’re not alone. That’s the defining feature of this career.

I know what it’s like to struggle to get into the research game. I had to change my identity completely. I had to let go of what I thought my life would be, and I know so many others who have had to do the same. There are incredible people out there—people who could revolutionize science—who are never…