Scientific Societies: Working for Science But Not on Science

Abstract

Career opportunities in science are numerous and diverse, and many do not involve doing science, that is, working on science. Rather, they involve working for science. Education and training for scientists, however, generally do not prepare future professionals for such roles, nor does preprofessional training often make it clear that such opportunities even exist. Those interested in working for science, therefore, must be attuned to alternate career paths and to serendipitous events that might prove fruitful. Among the sites for those career paths are scientific nonprofit organizations, including educational groups and scientific societies. Scientific nonprofits are businesses that must be managed as such, and those who move into administrative positions in those settings must do so thoughtfully, being cognizant that such a shift will necessarily distance them somewhat from the science that attracted them in the first place. Management of a scientific nonprofit requires the ability to handle personnel matters, finances and fund raising, and the multifaceted political, social, and ethical issues that the science at the heart of the organization will raise. It also requires constant attention to ensure that the organization is a contributory member of the scientific community at large.