Screenshot of Texas A&M’s High Performance Research Computing main page.

I thought I could escape it, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that technology is everywhere. I’m not writing this as a fearful person, just a tired one. I changed my major from computer science to microbiology in undergrad, and here I find it following me as an ‘important tool for a biologist’s toolbox.’ Yes, I was aware of bioinformatics when I made the switch, but that felt like that was their choice to go into that side of biology, and I could keep my peace working with my petri plates and bacteria, never having to write a line of code again if I so choose. I even dabbled with the concepts behind bioinformatics in undergrad with a class I took, but that was a choice, and it was kept separate from my life as an undergraduate researcher. I like what problem-solving computer scientists do when it comes to code, and I did find coding to be (in general) fun, but I decided it wasn’t for me in the long run as a career, and that’s fine. But the fact that it’s coming back to possibly be a part of my career just feels like I’m Jamie Lee Kurtis who can’t escape Michael Myers if she tries. I made peace with the door I closed only for it to be swung back open. And I can’t say I’m annoyed, but I said goodbye, and about three years later, computer science – completely unprompted and in a different format – said hello. Thus, I have two options: write a blog about it and be miserable while I half-heartedly learn the bare minimum, or write a blog about it and understand it’s all about evolution. I’ll go for the second (though the first can be tempting).
 
I think this conundrum can hit all of us at various parts of our careers because we just never expected we would have to do something that suddenly is becoming more and more of a norm in our fields. I try to reflect on if I’m stubborn now as a first-year Ph.D. student, then how much more stubborn might I become in the future if I refuse to evolve? The only other option is fading into oblivion and not getting any funding, which isn’t really a great option unless you’re planning on retiring.
 
Academics is about learning. Yes, the topics we want to learn, but also the parts we may not be as interested in but are still integral to us as competent people in our respective fields. I think it’s okay to admit that we don’t love every aspect of our learning, but I think it’s faulty to then rebel against it solely because it’s not as interesting to you or might be difficult. At the end of the day, you still need to become knowledgeable in the new tool, not just absorb random information passively like a sponge, and if you must begrudgingly whisper to yourself that it’ll be worth it in the long run, then do that; just know you’ll make it through. Swearing could also help. Just don’t do it in front of your advisor.

– Cara Deromedi
 
Cara is a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.