ABSTRACT
A perennial problem for some scientists is their feeling of comparative failure as scientists. Three general aspects of scientists' careers were studied: performance; security in, and advancement of, position; compatibility with others, and satisfaction with one's location in science. With respect to performance, an average degree of recognition was found basic to high performance. "Kubie warns future scientists of the perils ahead when devoting themselves to that "carniverous god, the scientific career." His criteria in warning of potential failure, are absolute judgments, based on the careers of the more notable great men of science. Career decisions are perhaps among the most important determinants of a man's fate, and anything which contributes to an understanding of the career in science may help people make these decisions more wisely. The adjustment to comparative failure involves a "cooling down" of aspirations for success so as to be in accord with one's research ability and career prospects.
