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Science 3 April 2009:
Vol. 324. no. 5923, p. 13
DOI: 10.1126/science.1174131
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Editorial

Science for Science

Bruce Alberts1

Attitudes about career paths have changed for the current generation of science graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. A recent survey of more than 1000 of these young scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), reveals an unusually broad range of career aspirations. Less than half select becoming academic researchers like their mentors as their first choice. One senses that we are reaching a tipping point, where students who prefer to work in the world of public policy, government, precollege education, industry, or law will no longer be viewed as deserting science. Faculty and students can then begin to talk honestly about a whole range of respected, science-related career possibilities. This is crucial, because we must promote the movement of scientists into many occupations and environments if our end goal is to effectively apply science and its values to solving global problems.*

1Bruce Alberts is Editor-in-Chief of Science.

*Science 320, 155 (2008).

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