Headscratchers / Star Trek Voyager S 6 E 20 Good Shepherd

• The problems with Harren and Tel could be resolved by having them switch jobs. They have an expert on astrophysics doing the mindless grunt work on the lowest of the lower decks (which he has no skill or interest in) and a woman who is literally afraid of math working in astrometrics, the absolute worst place for her. No wonder they don't care about their jobs!
  • Addressed and shot down in the episode. Harren had been offered more responsibility, but wouldn't do the work because he was too busy with his personal projects. When Celes was offered a transfer, she couldn't think of anything other than "galley assistant" — her issue seems to be less "fear of math" than an overall crippling lack of self-confidence.
    • Of course, the greater responsibility Harren was offered was another Engineering job he didn't want to do...
    • The point still remains that Harren didn't WANT to do anything other than while away the hours doing his theorizing. He was completely unmotivated because he only saw Starfleet duty as a stepping stone and resented being stuck on Voyager and sought the lowest-effort job possible so he could spend most of his time doing other things.