Reduced and changed slightly from a post on my website, I thought I would share some thoughts as a blog post. I love that there are good, ethical people out there that want to help PhDs find non-academic careers. That is awesome! There are many amazing things we can do with our PhDs! I dislike, however, some of the fear mongering and fantasy thinking that occurs in some discourses around the Shangri La that they make "industry" out to be.
There are many @altac and @postac coaches, workshop leaders and self-anointed "gurus" and "ninjas" who base their practices on helping you leave higher education. They remind you of the statistics and what they see as the harsh reality--too many people applying for too few positions. They list all the ways in which the academe is oppressive, soul crushing, alienated labor. They say they provide you with the tools and resources you need to find jobs in "industry."
With due respect, and not to sound too snarky, but some of the harshest critiques of the academe might not have learned the tools and skills that they needed in order to be successful in faculty positions. Some may not have published enough to even have had a chance. Please consider the source. Sorry if this sounds unkind, but it is important to contextualize some of what is discussed on Twitter and in other social media within that context. This does not apply to all, or most even, of course--many have academic records that blow mine away, no doubt.
What do they want you to do? Go into industry, and work 40-60 hours-a-week with an often inflexible schedule, have three weeks of vacation a year in organizations where you can often be fired at-will with little to no notice? Industry, which may have never been part of your dreams? Industry, business and the non-profit world are not magical places filled with unicorn cupcakes, puppy dogs and kittens where all you eat each day is the finest sashimi prepared by Masa or Nobu. There is not a monolithic, magical there. They are places to work, good and bad, inspiring and alienating, just like universities. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Maybe universities have their problems, but don't let the anti-academe crowd fool you into believing that they provide the key to labor utopia.
I happen to love working as a professor (on most days). I have done so for twenty years, and plan to retire where I currently work. Does it have its problems? Of course. I have seen my share of unkindnesses, unfairnesses, and oppression. Yet, I worked in the world of social work practice before that, and let me tell you, it was no better. Universities exist in a social and political zeitgeist-- in the real world. So do businesses and non-profit agencies. Silly as that sounds-- its true.
If you wish to leave university life, if you buy the @postac vision, than I wish you the best. I hope you find happiness, meaning, and fulfillment.
I say, why not you? Yes, tenure track positions are competitive in many fields, but thousands of people get positions each year! Yes, getting tenure can be a challenge. This is especially true if you have family obligations, have not received the mentorship you deserve, are a scholar from a marginalized or underrepresented community, have writing deficits that date back to elementary or high school school, did not grow up with English as your first language (and must publish in English) are anxious or depressed or feel beat up by abuses along the way.
There are, also, many, many jobs within higher education that are full time, wonderful, and are not faculty positions. In these, you can use many of the skills that you developed during your doctoral work.
Do you really want to leave? Do you really want to move on? Will you regret leaving for years? Have you done everything in your power to meet your goals? Have you developed all the skills and tools you need to thrive? Have you sought the best help to develop these skills?
There are many @altac and @postac coaches, workshop leaders and self-anointed "gurus" and "ninjas" who base their practices on helping you leave higher education. They remind you of the statistics and what they see as the harsh reality--too many people applying for too few positions. They list all the ways in which the academe is oppressive, soul crushing, alienated labor. They say they provide you with the tools and resources you need to find jobs in "industry."
With due respect, and not to sound too snarky, but some of the harshest critiques of the academe might not have learned the tools and skills that they needed in order to be successful in faculty positions. Some may not have published enough to even have had a chance. Please consider the source. Sorry if this sounds unkind, but it is important to contextualize some of what is discussed on Twitter and in other social media within that context. This does not apply to all, or most even, of course--many have academic records that blow mine away, no doubt.
What do they want you to do? Go into industry, and work 40-60 hours-a-week with an often inflexible schedule, have three weeks of vacation a year in organizations where you can often be fired at-will with little to no notice? Industry, which may have never been part of your dreams? Industry, business and the non-profit world are not magical places filled with unicorn cupcakes, puppy dogs and kittens where all you eat each day is the finest sashimi prepared by Masa or Nobu. There is not a monolithic, magical there. They are places to work, good and bad, inspiring and alienating, just like universities. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Maybe universities have their problems, but don't let the anti-academe crowd fool you into believing that they provide the key to labor utopia.
I happen to love working as a professor (on most days). I have done so for twenty years, and plan to retire where I currently work. Does it have its problems? Of course. I have seen my share of unkindnesses, unfairnesses, and oppression. Yet, I worked in the world of social work practice before that, and let me tell you, it was no better. Universities exist in a social and political zeitgeist-- in the real world. So do businesses and non-profit agencies. Silly as that sounds-- its true.
If you wish to leave university life, if you buy the @postac vision, than I wish you the best. I hope you find happiness, meaning, and fulfillment.
I say, why not you? Yes, tenure track positions are competitive in many fields, but thousands of people get positions each year! Yes, getting tenure can be a challenge. This is especially true if you have family obligations, have not received the mentorship you deserve, are a scholar from a marginalized or underrepresented community, have writing deficits that date back to elementary or high school school, did not grow up with English as your first language (and must publish in English) are anxious or depressed or feel beat up by abuses along the way.
There are, also, many, many jobs within higher education that are full time, wonderful, and are not faculty positions. In these, you can use many of the skills that you developed during your doctoral work.
Do you really want to leave? Do you really want to move on? Will you regret leaving for years? Have you done everything in your power to meet your goals? Have you developed all the skills and tools you need to thrive? Have you sought the best help to develop these skills?
If it feels like I am speaking to you, say hi to me.
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