04 septembre 2006, 16:27
to burn or not to burn?
I am not sure that I can continue to justify spending on the human space program the way I once did. It seems that the reasons I so ardently subscribed to in the past have faded to the extent that I can no longer remember most of them. Instead it seems that my priorities - my values even - have changed in the past two years. There are so many things that I think need to fall in line in the world before sending six people to Mars, for example.
I feel by writing this, and in a relatively public forum none the less, that I am condeming myself to never again getting back on this track - one that I've dreamed about being a part of for so many years. I hope that isn't the case.
Why this reflective thought?
I received an unsolicited job offer last week. It came in the form of a personal phone call from the deputy head of a consequential space organization. My first instinct, after a few moments of speechless panic, was to turn it down. After all, nevermind that I am not quite ready to move on (still some very important things I need to learn), it didn't fit the very specific set of criteria I have set for employment. However, when I was given a week to think about it, I gladly accepted (I am not too fatuous to recognize the strategic brilliance such a move could have on my career).
But then came the problem - I realized that I could no longer reconcile my values with this career. So, where does that leave me? Where do I go from here?