Out of curiosity, is it that *you’re * idiotic, or your question is idiotic?
Good answer.
Probably both, but I was just wondering if Antigen’s value is from who he (she? forgive me, please) is, or from the function that is performed.
I mean that the job is important. It’s a job that’s as important to patient care as medicine or nursing or pharmacology. And yet most people who I talk to about it seem disappointed that I’m not pursuing a medical degree. I like what I do, dammit!
I read it as “my role in this facility” is important, shortened to “I’m important”. I don’t think they are full of themselves, it’s just that they realize that they provide a vital service and want the person bothering them to take a second, soak in the realization, and let them be.
I can appreciate that; I always hear compliments followed by, “… so why are you doing this with your life?!?” This being a Data Entry Supervisor, as opposed to something with my Art Degree.
I wasn’t trying to be a jerk with my question, really.
I wasn’t trying either, but I think I succeeded. Sorry.
Group hug! sniff
I believe threemae’s quote is being seconded rather than being the addressee.
That’s how I read it, too.
- You opened yourself up to her very much.
- She was interested in what you had to say.
- She realized that you were in a GOOD mood.
- She realized that you were quite valuable in the position you were in.
And she overestimated your openess and candor when she asked a naive question even with an innocent innuendo that you could/should do better.
She pratically patted you on the back, and you mistook it as a jab to your position.
Cut her some slack already.
I’m kinda in the same boat as you…I should have been in JPL, but I’m doing social service work instead…I just tell them, “I like what I’m doing, and I FEEL great contributing to society in this particular manner.”
But you don’t have to be a vet to do that, right? Right? 
Ok, I guess I overreacted to her question. I know she probably didn’t mean it badly; I was just feeling defensive.
It’s just that I got that sort of thing so often when I first started this program, mostly because it was “a step back” to a career program after I’d just gotten my Bachelor’s degree. Months of “Why aren’t you trying for your Master’s degree? Why not med school?” I thought I was done explaining myself.
It’s so damn frustrating to have people telling you that you can do better, and trying to talk you into changing your mind about what you’re doing.
Actually, that sounds like a fine alternative to my next little task.
Nope.
But you said that you like what you’re doing, right? That’s all that matters.
One of my uncles constantly criticizes me for working as a legal journalist rather than practicing law at a big, prestigious firm. I tell him that I wouldn’t be happy in a firm – I’ve seen many lawyers my age who are burned out after two or three years. Besides, I tell him, I love to write. His answer is always, “Who cares? Do you know how much money you’d make?”
At that point I usually just bite my tongue and visualize his head exploding.
There will always be people out there who ask questions about your career choice. Many of them are well-meaning or curious (I suspect this is the case with your coworker). Others are money-hungry social climbers like my uncle. But regardless of their motivation, don’t let it get you down. It’s much better to have a job that you enjoy than to take unsatisfying work just to fulfill someone else’s expectations.
Wait, wait, wait…
A nurse can’t pronounce “antigen”?
Tell me about it. 
Actually, my name is Jen, but she calls me Jane. I just can’t figure that one out.
“Because I’d much rather stick my arm up a cow’s ass” is my stock answer for everything now.
And because I hit “submit” too soon, I forgot the rest of what I was gonna say. Oh well.
:smack: