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Joining a Think Tank

Antimony

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I decided to not limit this to the ask an absolutely nutso madman ENTP thread.

Does anyone know much about think tanks? I've done some research, but it seems the information about what they do eludes me. From what I know them, this sounds like an ideal position for me- using my knowledge in practical ways to solve big and small problems, while working with people in a creative environment. What's not to love?

I have a feeling this thread may die very, very easily, but any information is better than no information.
 
S

Sniffles

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What kind of think-tanks were thinking about joining, dealing with what kind of issues?
 

FDG

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You need to first get a degree and try to get to know someone in research during your thesis. You might ask him how to apply. Oftentimes it can be done through university etc.
 

Antimony

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What kind of think-tanks were thinking about joining, dealing with what kind of issues?

Any kind. I don't know yet what I am majoring in. But whatever I study, I know I will excel in. Social and scientific issues interest me the most. I am really just a huge idea person, and I doubt I could really describe what my niche would be. But I bet there is one for someone like me.

You need to first get a degree and try to get to know someone in research during your thesis. You might ask him how to apply. Oftentimes it can be done through university etc.

Great, just great. This is yet another factor in where I got to college.

/headdesk

I need resources!
 

Antimony

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What kind of think-tanks were thinking about joining, dealing with what kind of issues?

Any kind. I don't know yet what I am majoring in. But whatever I study, I know I will excel in. Social and scientific issues interest me the most. I am really just a huge idea person, and I doubt I could really describe what my niche would be. But I bet there is one for someone like me.

You need to first get a degree and try to get to know someone in research during your thesis. You might ask him how to apply. Oftentimes it can be done through university etc.

Great, just great. This is yet another factor in where I got to college.

/headdesk

I need resources!
 

Zarathustra

Let Go Of Your Team
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I agree with nebbykoo about very little, but I do agree with him about this.

I am rather familiar with them, and, I must say, they are like cults.

That being said, I am forming my own think tank.

If you'd like to join, feel free to pm me.
 

Fluffywolf

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Think tanks are generally a waste of time. Definately not NTP material. The idea of think tanks is pretty nice, but in practice it's just not what you'd imagine them to be. I've never been part of one myself, nor will ever be, but I've talked to some people who have in great detail. Even the ones enthusiastic about them basicly tell me they're just crap without realizing it themselves.

I'm sure there are think tanks out there with fun, interesting, dedicated and smart people that could be interesting to join, but I've not heard of one yet.
 

Lark

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I decided to not limit this to the ask an absolutely nutso madman ENTP thread.

Does anyone know much about think tanks? I've done some research, but it seems the information about what they do eludes me. From what I know them, this sounds like an ideal position for me- using my knowledge in practical ways to solve big and small problems, while working with people in a creative environment. What's not to love?

I have a feeling this thread may die very, very easily, but any information is better than no information.

Think Tanks where the invention of rich sponsors who felt that universities where dens of commies. There entire history is one of trying to create counter evidence or policies for governments and encourage them to "think the unthinkable", as Hayek et al encouraged policy think tanks to do for governments like Thatcher's.

Its a terrible thing when you consider that the universities are not really a den of alt agitators really.
 

Zarathustra

Let Go Of Your Team
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Think Tanks where the invention of rich sponsors who felt that universities where dens of commies.

I can't speak for elsewhere, but in America they sure are.

Much like journalists (93%), 90% of college professors vote for one party.

And it sure ain't because that party's got a monopoly on truth.

There entire history is one of trying to create counter evidence or policies for governments and encourage them to "think the unthinkable", as Hayek et al encouraged policy think tanks to do for governments like Thatcher's.

Apparently you've never heard of The Brookings Institution, The Center for American Progress, The Center for Economic and Policy Research, and the Economic Policy Institute?

Its a terrible thing when you consider that the universities are not really a den of alt agitators really.

Such a questionable claim you needed to use "really" twice.

And mind you, this is coming from the person who used to have the Socialist Ten Commandments in his profile...

:rolleyes:
 
Last edited:

CzeCze

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I decided to not limit this to the ask an absolutely nutso madman ENTP thread.

Does anyone know much about think tanks? I've done some research, but it seems the information about what they do eludes me. From what I know them, this sounds like an ideal position for me- using my knowledge in practical ways to solve big and small problems, while working with people in a creative environment. What's not to love?

I have a feeling this thread may die very, very easily, but any information is better than no information.

What do you think a think tank does? Or what specifically do you want to do?

Since you're college aged (you are right?) you can use your career development office/alumni/alumnae network to do information interviews. Internships are also great. 9 to 1 you won't be doing the work you're envisioning but you will get a very good idea of the culture, work place atmosphere, and observe what a think tank does and how it functions.

In a think tank you're basically going to be doing work similar to an academic track with the added flair of politics. This sounds deathly dull to me ENxP brethren but if policy work lights your flame you still have more options than a think tank.

Actually when you said this: "using my knowledge in practical ways to solve big and small problems, while working with people in a creative environment. What's not to love?" I totally did not get 'think tank'. I thought 'start-up' and then 'NGO'. Hell, join the Peace Corps, the UN, Pssh, you could even join the World Bank if that runs along your personal political spectrum. Work in elected office.

Or is it just that you like troubleshooting and showing off your smarts to fix things? Be a consultant and join one of the big firms. You'll make much better money and feed a healthy ego. :alttongue:

Do you want to be a 'doer' or an 'advisor'? Basically do you want to be implementing and directing the work itself or do you want to be telling other people how to do it?

I get the feeling your vague first stirrings of what you "want to do with your life" can be done in many more ways than just a think tank.
 

entropie

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[YOUTUBE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41d3mBrMNCc"].[/YOUTUBE]
 

Antimony

You're fired. Lol.
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[MENTION=4109]entropie[/MENTION] you are the best. I am surprised no one has done this yet.

That being said:

[MENTION=7280]Lark[/MENTION] that is so depressing. Apparently I am extremely misinformed/projecting my ideals.

[MENTION=1009]CzeCze[/MENTION] I think being a consultant for anyone would be great. I wouldn't really want to be tied down tough. I wish I could be like Jane and be a consultant for crime scenes!

Why would I want to tell people what to do? That gives room for me to be forced to make erroneous demands of others. I would like to tell people how to do do things right.

Ideally? My most ideal job of all? Be a complete idea person. Just come up with idea after idea after idea and hope someone likes them enough to use the right tools and knowledge to make it happen.

Sadly, I doubt that will ever happen for me.
 

CzeCze

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Be an academic on your own terms. You can write papers amd articles all day. As a PhD candidate you get more pull when it comes to gettting pjblished especially if your ideas are "of the moment" controversial or fits in to some big groups ideaology. This may not be a full time "job" however sonce you wont get paid much likely. But you can spend all day coming up with ideas on your own :p
 

Antimony

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BUT I DO THAT ALREADY!

So basically, I keep living, but with more degrees and prestige.
 

Beargryllz

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I decided to not limit this to the ask an absolutely nutso madman ENTP thread.

Does anyone know much about think tanks? I've done some research, but it seems the information about what they do eludes me. From what I know them, this sounds like an ideal position for me- using my knowledge in practical ways to solve big and small problems, while working with people in a creative environment. What's not to love?

I have a feeling this thread may die very, very easily, but any information is better than no information.

For a long, long, long time I figured that this would pretty much be the perfect career for me

Think tank

I could do that all day every day
 

Antimony

You're fired. Lol.
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For a long, long, long time I figured that this would pretty much be the perfect career for me

Think tank

I could do that all day every day

But then......?
 
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