What Type of Person Thrives in a Research Center According to a Research Specialist at University of Southern California
Research specialists who thrive in this industry are "curious" and interested in "multiple different things," possessing a generalist mindset that allows them to consider the "bigger picture" and interdisciplinary connections, unlike specialists focused on niche areas. Success requires a willingness to explore diverse perspectives and delve into "rabbit holes" to understand how various disciplines influence a given environment.
Curiosity, Interdisciplinary Thinking, Big-Picture Perspective, Problem-Solving Skills, Adaptability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ruth McCormack
Research Specialist
University of Southern California
Barnard College, 2015
University of Southern California, Masters of Public Administration
History, Art History
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Sales and Client Management
LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Research centers value professionals with broad interests and interdisciplinary thinking skills.
2. A generalist approach, embracing diverse perspectives, is highly beneficial in a research center setting.
3. The ability to investigate multiple avenues and consider various factors influencing a given area is crucial for success in a research center.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
I would describe people as curious, and also interested in multiple different things. I'm a generalist, and I recommend that anyone interested in a research center setting also consider this.
For example, if your thing is microeconomics in farming, that's very niche and particular. Being an expert in that area is important.
However, if you only understand that one idea, you might miss the bigger picture of other factors influencing that environment. To be successful in a research center, you need to think big.
Look for someone interested in figuring out the multiple avenues and ways that can affect change. Everything is interdisciplinary.
This involves understanding that and questioning what aspects of different disciplines actually affect something in the environment. To be successful at a research center, you have to be willing to go down those rabbit holes.
Advizer Personal Links