Earlier versions of these essays have been posted primarily and repeatedly on the internet newsgroup <sci.research.careers> for approximately one year (March 1995 to March 1996). A number of versions are archived at a number of sites. These essays were written in the public interest and for the benefit of younger people who are in the grad. school to postdoc pipeline. This edition was cleaned up, reorganized somewhat, slightly shortened, and brought up to date.

People who are in the grad. school to postdoc pipeline are, for the most part, hoping to see their dreams come true with a real and decent career job in science. The purpose of this document is to inform these people about the realities that will be in conflict with their dreams.