From nobody to somebody

The first step in trying to make a mark for yourself is to realize that one actually is a nobody :) Everything else post that is easy. We all want a lot of things but what is it that we want the most. There is not always a trade-off but one can start with making the most of what one has. Single minded focus and you are done... Well that is what I hope for. Forget everything else.... FORGET... Does this sound weird... It may but I guess the best route taken... easiest of all.

life at a Research Institution / think-tank

Goes without saying that wherever you are, how much you gain from your presence over there depends entirely on you, also, unless you have had exposure to more than one kind of work-environment, difficult to judge or give a comparative analysis but my two cents on this would be that research institutions are great places to be at and your work is just one aspect of it. The fact that you get to hear from some of the best researchers makes it all the more fascinating. At least that is what I believe :)