Or at least, this is how I envision introducing myself 5 to 10 years down the road, once I have somehow convinced a panel of experts that I deserve a PhD. And no, I’m not trying to imply that I am a walking talking internet encyclopedia - I am just pretty damn good at Googling the answers to stuff.
Efficient Googling? I can get you an answer in 5 minutes. From a credible source? You betchya! What if it’s a really hard question? Google knows all.
Doesn’t the panel know this? As they judge my years of work, can’t they tell that through this glossy, animation-filled slide show, I have Googled my way through my PhD? Sure, I’ve worked pretty freaking hard - but half the time, I still feel like I rely on Google to stumble over half of the road blocks I have encountered on my way to becoming a so-called expert. I feel like I’ve become an expert at Googling whatever I need to know at the time - whether it’s the life cycle of some grotesque parasite or the molecules that make up my protein of interest, Google is my saviour and my crutch.
This complicated relationship with Google can make any graduate student question whether or not we know anything. It can be the spark that lights up the raging fire of imposter phenomenon, especially if it seems like you are the only one Googling wildly in the background while everyone around you, well, just seems to know everything! Like, really - how are they so smart??
But I’m convinced that this is a lie.
I have grown to appreciate the perspective that nobody knows everything. Perhaps it seems like some people think they do. But we all need help, and it is wise to ask for it. Google just happens to be a wonderful way to ask questions to the world... and it is so widely used that the idea of Googling your way through life has become a meme! And a meme is a wonderful gesture indicating that you are not alone.
There are more clues than memes indicating the widespread use of Google. Have you ever asked an expert a question, only to have them respond, “Did you try Googling it first”? I know I have. Google has even armed us with Google Scholar for when we feel like upping our sources from Stack Overflow and Wikipedia to academic papers.
Because although it’s hard to believe, Googling IS a skill. Understanding how to quickly sift through heaps of information to find the most accurate, credible sources is difficult in this generation where anyone writes about anything and everything. So embrace your Googling prowess, and acknowledge that this doesn’t limit your abilities - instead, it gives you the power to question, fact-check, confirm, and dig deep into every aspect of your project. I bet there are very few people in this world who have Googled the evolution of E. coli 5000 times, but maybe you have. Because you are the expert. Yes, you. So go out and kick some science butt.
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