CAT 125 Written Abstract

Over the next few days, I will be serializing my CAT Practicum Writing project here. This Practicum Writing class has been the bane of my college career, and has tormented me since I first took it last Apr (Spring 2005). I have finally finished the essay, and am glad that it is finally of decent quality which I dare submit. The main Essay is not as polished as I would like, and does not contain many related thoughts that I originally intend to incorporate. But for a major essay which I started writing merely a week before the due date (we were given ten), I'm happy with the way it turned out. The first part of the project, a Written Abstract, is appended below. It will be followed over the following days by a Visual Abstract and The Essay. Critical comments on my work are encouraged, but similar random thoughts on the subject matter are welcomed too.

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CAT 125 Written Abstract:
Rise and Fall – The Journey of a Scientist
or where I see myself in 30 years time

As a senior graduating with a relatively successful transcript and considerable research experience, it is easy to spend the final stretch of my short college career trapped in the mindless rat race for the last few ‘A’s, miring in mundane graduate school applications, or just day-dreaming of the successful self and the rosy future. But the complete immersion into the academic research environment in the past year opened my eyes and my mind to the “real” world, where words like “career”, “salary”, “job security” and “future” take on a whole new meaning. Many fresh college graduates enter the “real” world with “unreal” expectations and end up disillusioned when their fairy tales fail to materialize. The “real” world of science is no different. Witnessing the rise and fall of the people working beside you is the most direct and efficient way to learn that lesson, and to learn it well.

This essay is a personal recollection and reflection on the fantastic personas I have had the honor to interact with over the last one year. These experiences provided me with plenty of food for thought about the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. This essay hopes to portray, subtly, the importance of stepping back and embracing the big picture. Of understanding why we do what we do. So that we can peacefully live out the rest of our lives, never regretting our decision to embark on a particular journey.

To glorious Science and her humble servants,

November 29, 2006

Posts from the CAT 125 Series
- Written Abstract
- Visual Abstract
- Essay part 1
- Essay part 2
- Essay part 3
- Essay part 4
- Essay part 5 (end)