--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My decision to be a scientist was a bit…" description: "\"My decision to be a scientist was a bit of a drift really, more or less by default.\" — Richard Dawkins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/richard-dawkins-115_decision_my-decision-to-be-a-scientist-was-a-bit_1154522.jpg" --- # My decision to be a scientist was a bit of a drift really… ![“My decision to be a scientist was a bit of a drift really, more or less by default.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/richard-dawkins-115_decision_my-decision-to-be-a-scientist-was-a-bit_1154522.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/richard-dawkins-115_decision_my-decision-to-be-a-scientist-was-a-bit_1154522.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/richard-dawkins-115_decision_my-decision-to-be-a-scientist-was-a-bit_1154522.jpg) > “My decision to be a scientist was a bit of a drift really, more or less by default.” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A candid admission that a scientific career can arise from circumstance rather than deliberate planning, emphasizing serendipity. **In simple terms:** Science as a drift. Key Takeaway Stay open to unexpected paths. Themes career science serendipity choice identity Mood reflective thoughtful Type autobiographical inspirational When to use this quote - choosing a research field - grant applications - lab work - teaching - career change Key Concepts randomness self‑discovery career development Questions to Reflect On - How much of your path is choice vs chance? - Can you redirect a drift intentionally? 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If in the future that requires violence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-will-not-go-quietly-away-if-in-the-future-that-requires-violence/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [It's a truly disgusting idea that the creator of the universe - capable of inventing the laws of physics and designing the evolutionary process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/it-s-a-truly-disgusting-idea-that-the-creator-of-the-universe-capable/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) [Explore all 1,239 Richard Dawkins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## More Decision quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. 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And if you're not seen that often on screen, nobody calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-lever/it-was-a-conscious-decision-on-my-part-to-take-up-fewer-films-and-if/) [Johnny Lever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-lever/) > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [I never think of things rationally or intellectually. I swear, every single decision I make is just instinct and my instincts tend to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-blomkamp/i-never-think-of-things-rationally-or-intellectually-i-swear-every/) [Neill Blomkamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-blomkamp/) > [“it is either you happen to life or life happens to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/it-is-either-you-happen-to-life-or-life-happens-to-you/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. 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