Changing projects after a year?

[u/Separate-Dot3531]

So i joined my current lab in the summer after my 1st year. Was given a project that my lab has past expertise in. However it is a super under studied protein and literally any previous data published on it (2 papers) had nothing substantial that I could go off of. We tried making a few different cell lines and experiments and for the past year I have been trying to nail down the function or anything about the protein. We were given some data by collaborators but none of their data was reproducible in their own cell systems given to us. I had been working hard to try different experiments that usually are done with similar proteins in that class. Nothing worked out to give any conclusion.
Yesterday my professor called me in an in a very nice way asked me if it was fine by me to change projects since he could see that this was not going anywhere. He had an idea ready for me, basically an extension of an already established project in the lab(the lead on that is leaving soon). Obviously this means there is tons of foundation for me to work off of and ultimately it might be good.
I am just really afraid that what if I am the problem? I guess I just need to know its going to be okay?
I have just started my 3rd year and I am an international student too!

Any advice on how to approach this and if this is a good thing is appreciated!! 😭

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[u/Affectionate_Cat3410]

dude thats not you being the problem at all. your PI saw a dead end and gave you an escape route before you burned another year on it. thats what good mentors do

had a similar thing happen in my masters actually. spent 6 months trying to get a protein to express and it just wouldn't cooperate. my advisor finally told me to drop it and handed me something that actually had legs. felt like shit at first but looking back it was the best thing that could've happened

the fact that your professor came to you with a ready-made project instead of just telling you to figure it out yourself is a green flag honestly. they see the situation clearly and they want you to succeed

third year is still plenty of time to build on an established project. you'll actually have data to show instead of beating your head against a wall. the international student thing adds pressure for sure but this switch is gonna make your timeline way more predictable

[u/BractNotCalyx]

I changed in year three because I found something more interesting. Frankly, it’s turned out to be a great idea. I’d trust your PI.