A Response to The Cuckoo's Egg

Recently, I read Cliff Stoll's book entitled The Cuckoo's Egg. This rather fascinating book relays Stoll's journey through computer wires and connections to finally track down a German spy. The book includes discussion on many topics, however, one theme stood out to me throughout the book: Stoll is an astronomer, not a computer scientist or an intelligence officer, yet it was he who tracked down the spy! As Stoll relates his experience of how he left his specialty of astronomy in order to chase a spy, he teaches the important principle of being willing to take advantage of new opportunities, even if those opportunities do not fall in line with one's area of expertise.

Although a bachelor's degree requires considerable time taking general education courses, the bulk of a college education is specialization. This is even more the case in graduate work. Stoll spent many years specializing to be an astronomer through his undergraduate and graduate work. The reception of a doctoral degree takes a considerable amount of effort; once someone has finished a PhD they are an expert in their field. After all the work that Stoll did to specialize in astronomy, it might seem that he should stay in the field and make a difference with his education.

However, Stoll did not stick with astronomy. As his career progressed, he found himself faced with an opportunity to track down a spy, something that was not even remotely related to his area of expertise. Not only did Stoll switch directions to try and accomplish something unrelated to anything he had been trained in, he also allowed himself to become an expert in spy hunting. From sleeping on the floor of the office to setting alarms and alerts at his own home, Stoll was fully invested in his new career track.

Through recounting his experience, Stoll teaches the importance of being willing to branch out and learn new skills. When Stoll became an expert in astronomy, he probably never supposed that one of his career accomplishments might come through spy hunting! However, when the opportunity came, Stoll was able to make a real difference in the world because of his willingness to learn new skills.

I am in school right now, and over the course of the next five years I will be doing what Stoll did: specializing in a field. It is a wise principle to learn, however, that perhaps my greatest contribution will not be through Bioinformatics. As my career progresses, I will need to branch out, learn new things, and succeed in each opportunity as it comes.