Remember how I whined about a certain instrument a few months ago? My main complaint was that I use it so infrequently that I don't remember what to do, and each time I go to use the thing the protocol has changed slightly anyway. Well, I need to use it again for another project. Just three more encounters with this thing and I will be done. I'm so not interested in learning how to run this instrument for just these next three times, but I need the data. The culture of the lab dictates that I should run my own damn samples, but since I don't know how, it typically goes like this: I stand there while someone else does everything but explains each step as they go along and I pretend like I'm absorbing it all. I learn a little bit, but not enough to do it on my own the next time, so I always need help. This doesn't seem very efficient to me, as I see no point in using two people's time to do a one-person job.
So, I'm going to propose a trade. There is someone else who is really proficient with the instrument. It's not her job to run other people's samples, but because of some recent shifts in lab personnel, it would probably fall to her to help me. So I'm going to ask her to just run my samples for me and in return I will do something for her. I'll ask her to keep track of how long it takes with my samples, and then I will do something for her for an equal amount of time. Anything she wants, as long as I have the skills to do it. I would much rather spend a few hours doing something for someone else than waste my time watching someone do what should be my job. I think it will appeal to her too, since she'd probably spend almost as much time on my samples if I "do them myself" as if she does them for me, and she'll get a few hours of skilled bonus help. Win-win, right?
I'll let you know how it goes.
ETA: She agreed. I have to help with two partial days of field work. It's possible that I am overcompensating, but I have a feeling she's going to be doing a lot more than her share of lab service for a while, so I don't mind helping her out.
6 comments:
sounds like a good idea, there's nothing worse than unproductive time spent watching people do stuff you know you'll never learn and may never use again!
you're smart.
Awesome! You might just start a whole "expertise exchange" within your department!
Quick, develop a website. It worked for that Craig guy ;)
HGG, I'm glad someone agrees. :)
BFF, thanks, but we knew that already, right? ;)
Cath, great idea! I bet I could expand to a regional network -- the skilled science service exchange (SSSEX).
I like the acronym.
Let us know how the trade actually works out- if you're both satisfied with the results and the time spent. Are you going to be co-authors on each other's papers in exchange too?
It won't be enough work to warrant authorship. I'll acknowledge her in my paper, but she might not even do that for me, which is fine. Even though it will end up taking a similar number of hours for each task, she's doing something substantial-ish for me, whereas I am helping with two days out of many, many, many days of her field work.
I'll keep you posted.
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