I suppose I could just answer it with 'Scientist' and consider myself already there, but that's not as accurate as I'd like.
Over the recent holidays, while at home visiting family and friends (and far away from my academic cocoon) I was asked numerous times: "So what are you going to be when you're done all this school?" While when I pose this question to myself, I am often satisfied to know that I probably won't know the answer until I get there. When faced by it from my loved ones I fined that it demands a response more hopeful than "I'm just going to stay in school forever."
How do I currently answer it? "I'd like to stay in academia, become a profession, ideally with a 50/50 split between teaching and research." I neglect to mention that, statistically speaking, less than 20% of PhD graduates will ever get an academic position; and female students in particular are most likely to leave academia for work in the private sector. But really, I do (at least for the time being) want to be a prof. one day.
So you can imagine that I was very interested to see "University Professor" listed as the single least stressful job of 2013.
Read about it from Forbes Magazine Here.
And needless to say, I wasn't the only one to think that assessment was dead wrong. As comments and emails poured, Forbes responded today with a "Top 10 Reasons Being a University Professor is Stressful" list.
Of particular interest on the list:
- Personal vendettas by that anonymous 3rd reviewer
- The constant fear of loosing your funding, and subsequently your lab
- Success rates for those grant applications are at an all time low
- Dealing with students, parents, and the administration for grading course work 'too low'
So what do you want to be when you grow up? For now, I'm going to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where that takes me.
"So what do you want to be when you grow up? For now, I'm going to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where that takes me."
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great mindset to be in. I'm 28, going on 29, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. After a few years being in the workforce, I made the decision to go back to school. I'm starting with a few GenEd refreshers, but I know that whatever I choose to do will be science/medical-related.
It seems like as I near 30, there's a weird rule that I'm supposed to have life figured out. When I see friends getting comfortable in their careers, I feel a twinge of jealousy, but then I remind myself that I'm going after something I really want to do -- even if I don't know what that something is yet. It's okay to not be comfortable.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for the great comments! I think it's never too late to go after what you want, and anyone who tries to tell you that you should be settled by now, when you're clearly going after important goals, well they likely harbour regrets about not pursuing their own. Thanks for the luck, and similar luck back to you!
DeleteI'm doing what I set out to do when I grew up and now the prospect of doing it for the next thirty years seems dreadfully depressing. Ha. I think, eventually, say in 10 years, I'll make the change to communications. I'll work for the government and make some real money for a change... or here's hoping.
ReplyDeleteLooking thirty years ahead at anything would seem depressing I'd think. Real money would be nice, I tell myself I'll get there eventually. Thanks for the comment, and here's hoping it takes you less than 10 years to feel like you're making 'real money.'
DeleteI'm still figuring that out! I went from working in education/human services and getting a Ed.M to having my own jewelry business. And in my opinion, you still have plenty of time to figure that out as well (and yes, see where life takes you!)! Happy SITS day :-)
ReplyDeleteThose are some pretty big career switches! You are right, no rush to figure out where you need to be! Thanks for the well wishes and stopping by to comment!
DeleteGood luck Sara! While its nice to feel settled, you've got plenty of time to get it figured out! I'm in my 40s and life has taken me in several directions...my feeling is embrace change and see where it all takes you! And enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishes! You are probably right, there is something to be said for feeling settled, and a certainly look forward to that one day. Just a little further on down the line still! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
DeleteGreat article. I read it to my husband as he desires to become a professor. Stopping by from Sits.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Alethea
Thanks, that is awesome that you would consider reading it to your husband! wish him all the luck in the world on pursuing that goal! thanks for the well wishes!
DeleteI"m in the point of what do I want to do when I retire? Be a full-time writer. Years ago I was going to be an astrophysicist but a building on our campus was blown up (Vietnam era). I left that school and got some advice to take psychology to understand what had happened and to do some creative writing because I liked it. LIfe can change dramatically. Enjoy your SITS Day. I liked your post. A life in academia sounds wonderful. There were only 300 working astrophysicists in the United States in my freshman year.
ReplyDeleteWow that's an amazing story and sounds like you are having quite the amazing life! To be a full time writer sounds like a pretty ideal retirement plan! Thanks for all the well wishes, and for sharing your story!
DeleteI'm 34 and I'm still not positive! I was a teacher for a while, but it impacted my personal life more than I was willing to allow. Now I work in an office (and I LOVE it) but I don't always feel like I'm using my degree. It's a tough question.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's a tough question, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't have the answer! You're right that there is a line you have to draw tho, of how much you want your career to impact your life!
DeleteGood stuff. And I am 41 and still figuring it out, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear! its a life long journey if you ask me!
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