Rocks Are Neat, But So Too Are Inorganic Nanoparticles…

In January of 2022, I was living in Laramie, Wyoming working a job I loved, surrounded by friends I adored, with no plans to leave much less, return to where I grew up in Rochester, NY. In April 2022, I found myself in Rochester. This was a deeply difficult decision but I think, as young professionals we face a lot of instability and find it more and more difficult to have the same things our parents had at the same age, making tough calls even more common.

That was the reality of the decision I faced when deciding to leave Laramie and return to Rochester. Which was (to me) a bit of a surrender, to return back to where all my family lived, seemed to say, “I couldn’t cut it doing it my own way.” However strong the feeling of failure was, I also had to be realistic, I was working a job I loved that paid like garbage and had no prospects of furthering my long term financial goals. In addition to the personal qualms I had with the move, I would also be switching professions, going from a research geologist to an analytical chemist. Geology was (and continues to be) my passion, there was nothing that made me happier than finding a cool rock and learning about it, in some ways it was akin to a religious experience.

 Along with leaving my area of passion, I was also entering a job that would face me with some big unknowns: Would I be able to keep up with people educated in chemistry? Would I adapt well to East Coast corporate culture? Would I find joy in the work I was doing?

Thus, the obstacles I faced when making my decision. What ultimately helped me decide was this: “If I sacrifice some happiness now, will I be happy that I did so later?” This is a question, I believe, that many in my age group have asked themselves. We sacrifice places and jobs we like to have some financial security in the long run. Although, I very much recognize that that line of thinking is a slippery slope, I could sacrifice the years where I am most active and able to do things to have a comfortable retirement where I do nothing but watch reruns of General Hospital. That wasn’t what my aim was. I wanted a middle ground, one where I would have enough money to travel, enough time to do things I wanted to do, and the ability to turn work off. In the end I believe that I found that.

And to get to the point of my ramblings here; I’m glad I moved. I hadn’t realized in the moment but in Laramie, things had become stagnant. I wasn’t trying new things; I already had a routine that I enjoyed. I wasn’t meeting new people; I already had a close-knit group of friends. Money was tight: I learned what could be chopped to get by. The move was deeply tiring and the anxiety of starting again was massive. But starting a new job, in a place that I could rediscover, and doing something removed from my education has yielded some important realizations. 

Chief amongst them is the perspective on the life I’ve lived and where I’m going. The things I gave up aren’t gone and indeed my appreciation for them has increased many times over. I spent time and effort to maintain those friendships I physically left behind and I do the same with the hobbies I’m not able to participate in as often as I once was. I miss those things but I’m able to keep them alive just the same as before. This realization is part and parcel of the second, that change is good and expands you as personally and, of course, professionally. I rediscovered my love of caving, I spent much more time with my family, I do yoga twice a week (something I would never have done in Laramie). I walked into a corporate environment and made myself integral to my group and a trusted resource. Most of all I grew my knowledge. I am certainly a better scientist now than I was a year ago, I’ve had more experience, more chances to understand the fundamentals, and access to people with radically different understanding of science then I do.

Overall, my advice when confronted with a difficult decision like this, consider what you gain and what you lose and make the best out of whatever you choose to do regardless of the choice.