1. anana-mouse on March 9, 2012 7:53 AM writes...

The thing that struck me is that in the category of"what is most important to you in job satisfaction?", the majority answer is "challenging work". This differentiates most scientists motivatin vs the business types, because we are self motivating by the nature of our work and do not necessarily place financial advancement as our primary goal

2. Rick Wobbe on March 9, 2012 7:56 AM writes...

Derek, your interview with PharmaManufacturing made a nice companion piece: http://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/articles/2012/036.html

We try to keep holding up mirrors to the powers that be, but they have to stop spinning and put on their reading glasses before lasting improvement can occur.

3. RB Woodweird on March 9, 2012 9:07 AM writes...

"This differentiates most scientists motivatin vs the business types, because we are self motivating by the nature of our work and do not necessarily place financial advancement as our primary goal"

Which is why they have yachts and we are lucky to have a rubber duck to play with in the bathtub.

4. Chemjobber on March 9, 2012 9:11 AM writes...

For a really unpleasant companion (not to contrast with Rick), you can read the interview with the Kelly representative (linked in my handle).

I wish people did not pretend to be cheery about being a "free agent."

5. anana-mouse on March 9, 2012 9:18 AM writes...

#3. RBW I agree, but it is a choice that we make from the heart. If the Queen had balls, she would be King..... We're Ph.D's, MS. BS's. The MBA's BS's facilitate thier meteoric rise. Our rise is the satifaction of fulfilling our intellectual curiosity. Can't have it both ways. As a BP layoff victim, I look myself in the mirror in the morning and, though substantially poorer than before, I smile (no, the mirror does not crack) and I rest in the assurance that I am happy with who I am and, professionally, where I was and where I went.

6. Rick Wobbe on March 9, 2012 9:31 AM writes...

Good post. And I should've put quotation marks around "nice". :)

7. Student on March 9, 2012 5:42 PM writes...

A lack of challenging work= MBAs don't know how to utilize their talent.
Poor salary= scientists that feel they are taken advantage of.

8. anon2 on March 10, 2012 1:12 PM writes...

Personally, I think this is nothing but dredging for hopeful data in the noise.

9. Over-paid chemists on March 10, 2012 7:14 PM writes...

58% are paid >$100,000.

10. Legacy Merck Guy on March 11, 2012 9:26 AM writes...

COBA, the College of Buisness Asministration. Their theme song (to be sung to Coppacabana):

COOOOBA! COBA Cabana
Half the work, twice the GPA!!!!!

Sad but true.