Adam Smith - What I thought I would be doing at 18

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. On UCAS deadline day, Adam reflects on how careers are often imagined as fixed destinations rather than evolving journeys. Drawing on his own experience, he explores how sideways moves, pauses, and apparent detours are usually acts of persistence rather than failure. The blog challenges the myth of linear progress in academia and research, offering reassurance to students and early career researchers who feel out of step with an imagined timeline. Find the original text, and narration here on our website. https://communities.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/c/research-chat/what-i-thought-i-would-be-doing-at-18-e48bde6c-7d2c-4fd0-aa94-d529b5298190 -- Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health.  He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house. -- Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. -- Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/ https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/ https://twitter.com/demrescommunity https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social Join our community: https://onelink.to/dementiaresearcher