I have a love/hate relationship with the concept of publishing.
On one hand, it's amazing to think of Clay getting his research published. The thought of other scientists reading and referencing his work is nothing short of awesome in my mind. Not to mention, it's a hugely important step in the building of an academic career. Where your work gets published can really set you apart from other people in your field and put you in a great spot for potential job interviews.
The other hand of publishing isn't nearly so shiny. Clay has been editing a paper for publication this week and it's painful to watch. He's had some long days at work, only to come home and put in more time after the kids go to bed. He hasn't been exercising or sleeping well because his mind is constantly churning over the paper. And there's not a thing I can do about it. That's the really difficult part for me, knowing there's nothing I can do to help.
I realize that I have to accept this as a part of our existence. Clay is an academic and to be relevant within the academic community he has to publish his work. I get it, but I don't like it. It doesn't help that we're really still in the early days of this whole process. Hopefully, Clay will have many years of science to come and the pressure to publish could get better or worse, depending on where he eventually gets a job. It makes my eye twitch just thinking about it. And I haven't even begun to consider the craziness stress of grant writing. I don't even want to try to wrap my head around that.
Unfortunately, there's not much for it. I'll have to learn to endure his stress with grace and do what I always do - provide good food and be the nagging voice of reason when it comes to things like exercise and bedtime. What more can I do when I clearly can't do the work for him?
Now if you excuse me, I need to find an asprin.
On one hand, it's amazing to think of Clay getting his research published. The thought of other scientists reading and referencing his work is nothing short of awesome in my mind. Not to mention, it's a hugely important step in the building of an academic career. Where your work gets published can really set you apart from other people in your field and put you in a great spot for potential job interviews.
The other hand of publishing isn't nearly so shiny. Clay has been editing a paper for publication this week and it's painful to watch. He's had some long days at work, only to come home and put in more time after the kids go to bed. He hasn't been exercising or sleeping well because his mind is constantly churning over the paper. And there's not a thing I can do about it. That's the really difficult part for me, knowing there's nothing I can do to help.
I realize that I have to accept this as a part of our existence. Clay is an academic and to be relevant within the academic community he has to publish his work. I get it, but I don't like it. It doesn't help that we're really still in the early days of this whole process. Hopefully, Clay will have many years of science to come and the pressure to publish could get better or worse, depending on where he eventually gets a job. It makes my eye twitch just thinking about it. And I haven't even begun to consider the craziness stress of grant writing. I don't even want to try to wrap my head around that.
Unfortunately, there's not much for it. I'll have to learn to endure his stress with grace and do what I always do - provide good food and be the nagging voice of reason when it comes to things like exercise and bedtime. What more can I do when I clearly can't do the work for him?
Now if you excuse me, I need to find an asprin.
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