Some time ago, I wrote about the dissertation process often leaving wounds. It can be such a hard and painful process, even when things go well. When things don't, it can just be devastating.
Even more true, for many, is that the dissertation process, when it does not go well, can accentuate vulnerabilities or issues that we have not addressed (or have addressed, but that remain soft spots). Many blame academia and/or the actual process of writing a disseration, or problems with their committees, for these problems and lingering concerns. There is no question that each may contribute greatly to the exacerbation, and at times creation, of psychosocial concerns. Often, the oppressive and abusive people and processes we have encountered are horrific, and must be dismantled.
And then, there is you. What you are left with, your life, your present, your future.
Your life.
Let me be clear: I would never discount the structural problems you have encountered in your doctoral programs, the academic job market or in faculty positions (or in hoping and praying for a faculty position, against the odds). These probably are significant contributors to your current psychosocial concerns (e.g. anxiety, depression) or concrete, really life problem (e.g. underemployment, unemployment, debt).
Yet, you are the one stuck with these concerns--the systems in which we work (academia, industry, healthcare, the non profit world, etc.) will continue along their merry (or not so merry) way. You are the one that is left with the impact, and you deserve help and support, you deserve therapy, coaching, whatever your path is, to help you transcend your dissertation or other traumatic experiences.
And reaching out for help is hard.
And reaching out for help is essential.
And you deserve it.
Even more true, for many, is that the dissertation process, when it does not go well, can accentuate vulnerabilities or issues that we have not addressed (or have addressed, but that remain soft spots). Many blame academia and/or the actual process of writing a disseration, or problems with their committees, for these problems and lingering concerns. There is no question that each may contribute greatly to the exacerbation, and at times creation, of psychosocial concerns. Often, the oppressive and abusive people and processes we have encountered are horrific, and must be dismantled.
And then, there is you. What you are left with, your life, your present, your future.
Your life.
Let me be clear: I would never discount the structural problems you have encountered in your doctoral programs, the academic job market or in faculty positions (or in hoping and praying for a faculty position, against the odds). These probably are significant contributors to your current psychosocial concerns (e.g. anxiety, depression) or concrete, really life problem (e.g. underemployment, unemployment, debt).
Yet, you are the one stuck with these concerns--the systems in which we work (academia, industry, healthcare, the non profit world, etc.) will continue along their merry (or not so merry) way. You are the one that is left with the impact, and you deserve help and support, you deserve therapy, coaching, whatever your path is, to help you transcend your dissertation or other traumatic experiences.
And reaching out for help is hard.
And reaching out for help is essential.
And you deserve it.
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