Mainstream.

At the time I was studying at the University of Warsaw, there was no mainstream neuroscience I might have possibly experienced. Plenty of smart people over there, but no first-league players — all because of no environment, no resources, no faith. According to Merton (1968), scientists who start out in well-resourced, high-prestige environments accumulate far more recognition than equally talented peers elsewhere.

Indeed, one of the reasons I left for abroad was that I aimed to do something that matters, that makes a difference. According to Franzoni, Scellato and Stephan (2014), scientists who move abroad outperform those who stay at home. 

What Changed When I Moved Abroad?

Then, in my first job, I experienced a wide range of emotions, mostly negative ones, unfortunately. And, out of all my frustrations, the feeling of doing something niche and unimportant was the most prevalent one. According to Allan and colleagues (2019), meaningful work strongly predicts engagement, commitment and job satisfaction. 

Now, in my current job, it is completely the opposite. I feel like many researchers around me are waiting for my results, and that I am doing something really important.

It is partially due to the objective impact of my research topic. But also, partially because I can present it in a way that can be memorable.

I didn’t even know about the existence of this “X factor” up until now. But recently it got uncovered to my surprise.

What Does Working in the Mainstream Cost Emotionally?

Nevertheless, this situation brings a range of new emotions, unexperienced before. Uncertainty, the feeling of competition, attacks of anxiety, the pressure of time…

According to Levecque, Anseel, De Beuckelaer, Van der Heyden and Gisle (2017), about half of PhD students report distress, largely from this kind of competitive pressure and time strain. 

How Do I Get Through the Worse Days?

There are better and worse days. But every time I have that worse day, I stop for a while. Then I think about those times back in Warsaw.

And I think to myself, “This is exactly what you wanted: the mainstream. So, go for it.”