Better late than never. I literally googled "Life after Academia" and this was my first hit. Thank you. I've never felt so seen by someone I have never met.
Congratulations on coming through the tunnel of understanding what you want to pursue! While I know it is brutal in academia now, most people (my daughter, your friend, being an exception) have a hard time discerning their work and life paths. Your description of your journey is enlightening and, hopefully, helpful to others. It is wonderful that you have found something that will engage your quest for knowledge while also allowing you to earn a living! Congratulations and best of luck!
Applying academia to real life is academic in itself, returning to teaching later in life once you have secured enough money to take care of your Dad is fine. Don't forget you have to change my diapers or pay the nurse to do it. For those of you that are willing to buck the trend and stay in - I recommend multi disciplinary tracks. Those that can apply different areas of study to each other, in my opinion add the most to each area. The term "viral video" came from a computer engineer that was working in virology and noticed the same patterns of spread. At least he didn't call it "internet pandemic" - can you imagine - "you've gone pandemic!" Remember I said you could be a meteorologist by day and super hero by night -- using the weather to fight crime (see multi-discipline). Same goes for Tejano (conjunto) music, its the greatest because it combines the Mexican and German styles of music with a country swing. And now for the "San Antonio National Anthem - Hey Baby Que Paso" - Texas Tornados! Best of luck in the "real world".
Reading this as first year PhD English literature scholar, I wonder if your resentment for academia stems from your university policies — low funds and salaries — or you grew estranged from your thesis, something that once (or still) defined you?
I am also late, but thank you. I recognise myself in what you have written. There were so many factors that in the end contributed to my depart from academia, but I also recognise that I wanted to leave. Many of my friends are academics and they can engage with that system (they have much more secure positions than mine though and they didn't have to move around like I did). On the other hand, I could not handle it and I consciously decided that I had enough. Though I am still struggling to find my place, but I hope better times are ahead :)
I enjoyed reading this Hannah! I quit my English PhD last year (just one year into the program) for similar reasons. If I hadn't had kids, I might have stuck it out to the end - only to probably leave academia eventually in either case. As it is, having a family kind of accelerated an inevitable process for me. I was willing to sacrifice security and stability for myself, but not for them. I hope life after academia is everything you hope it to be!
Better late than never. I literally googled "Life after Academia" and this was my first hit. Thank you. I've never felt so seen by someone I have never met.
Thank you, I’m glad you found the piece and that it was helpful! It gets better, promise
This comment is awfully late, but this essay has stuck with me ever since it came out. Thank you so much for writing it.
Thank you, this means so much!
Congratulations on coming through the tunnel of understanding what you want to pursue! While I know it is brutal in academia now, most people (my daughter, your friend, being an exception) have a hard time discerning their work and life paths. Your description of your journey is enlightening and, hopefully, helpful to others. It is wonderful that you have found something that will engage your quest for knowledge while also allowing you to earn a living! Congratulations and best of luck!
Tunnel of understanding is definitely how it felt, and is a useful image to hang onto moving forward – thanks as always for the support!
Applying academia to real life is academic in itself, returning to teaching later in life once you have secured enough money to take care of your Dad is fine. Don't forget you have to change my diapers or pay the nurse to do it. For those of you that are willing to buck the trend and stay in - I recommend multi disciplinary tracks. Those that can apply different areas of study to each other, in my opinion add the most to each area. The term "viral video" came from a computer engineer that was working in virology and noticed the same patterns of spread. At least he didn't call it "internet pandemic" - can you imagine - "you've gone pandemic!" Remember I said you could be a meteorologist by day and super hero by night -- using the weather to fight crime (see multi-discipline). Same goes for Tejano (conjunto) music, its the greatest because it combines the Mexican and German styles of music with a country swing. And now for the "San Antonio National Anthem - Hey Baby Que Paso" - Texas Tornados! Best of luck in the "real world".
Thank you for this! I resonate with so much of what you shared.
Reading this as first year PhD English literature scholar, I wonder if your resentment for academia stems from your university policies — low funds and salaries — or you grew estranged from your thesis, something that once (or still) defined you?
I am also late, but thank you. I recognise myself in what you have written. There were so many factors that in the end contributed to my depart from academia, but I also recognise that I wanted to leave. Many of my friends are academics and they can engage with that system (they have much more secure positions than mine though and they didn't have to move around like I did). On the other hand, I could not handle it and I consciously decided that I had enough. Though I am still struggling to find my place, but I hope better times are ahead :)
As someone at the beginning of the exit path, I so appreciate this post!
I enjoyed reading this Hannah! I quit my English PhD last year (just one year into the program) for similar reasons. If I hadn't had kids, I might have stuck it out to the end - only to probably leave academia eventually in either case. As it is, having a family kind of accelerated an inevitable process for me. I was willing to sacrifice security and stability for myself, but not for them. I hope life after academia is everything you hope it to be!