What is the American braintrust and why is it in trouble?
Much has been written in recent years about the appalling lack of academic excellence in our society. Thomas Friedman has written extensively on this issue complaining mournfully about the lack of interest the youth of America display toward fields such as science and engineering. The few remaining Americans who choose this pathway are part of the American braintrust. The knowledge and skills they acquire allow America to remain on the cutting edge. A critical mass of such talent is needed to fuel progress, innovate and create the products, solutions and medical treatments of tomorrow. Without this core of individuals, there is nothing to propel us forward. Businesses will stagnate for want of new products. Solutions to our energy problems, global warming and the like will go unsolved.
At one time, I was a small part of that braintrust. I was a scientist. I have two master’s degrees, one in molecular and cellular biology and another in microbiology and immunology along with a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. I worked as a research assistant, lab manager and doctoral candidate in this field for some 15 years before throwing in the towel and “selling out” to run my own business.
Why the “sell out”? Why leave after such a major investment of time and education? Why leave such stimulating and interesting work for the for the world of business. It was, after all, a wrenching transition. The answer to this question is quite basic. The reason I left was “money” or lack of same. Although I still work as an adjunct professor, my primary income comes from a licensing course that took 45 hours to obtain. Don’t get me wrong. Selling real estate is far from “easy” and most of the training is through the school of hard knocks. In fact over 90% of agents drop out because it is so tough. But that’s not the point. The point is one of value. Why is a broker/agent potentially worth so much more than a than a Ph.D. with unique skills?
These answers are neither simple nor easy. The end result is that many if not most who are part of the braintrust find that though they are among the “best and brightest” they must make do with a life below the poverty line. Small wonder that these fields pale in comparison to the lure or Wall Street, banking and business. How we came to such an impasse is somewhat mysterious - although I think a good part of the problem has its roots in the supply-side, trickle down economic policies that neoconservatives tout. Certainly there are many contributing factors.
What to do about it is of paramount importance. This is particularly true when our entire economy is dependent on new R&D to keep chugging along. At the end of the day - it is the innovators that drive investor’s portfolio values ever higher. So America needs to solve its braintrust issue if it doesn’t want to become a third world nation.
© 2009 Ruthmarie G. Hicks - America’s Broken Braintrust
