#8: Is Academia Good Enough For You?
“Am I good enough for academia?”
Almost all academics have asked this question at some point or other.
For some, it’s a constant question.
But the focus on being “good enough” has a danger for your life and career.
It can drown out other, more important questions. It clouds our thinking.
When we think about leaving academia, we can naturally frame it in terms of our failure. But that’s muddied logic that makes decision making more difficult.
Today, I’ll share 5 ways for you to flip the script and get some clarity.
5 tough questions that you should ask academia:
- Is academia giving me energy?
- Am I compensated fairly?
- Is academia good for my mental health?
- Am I being nurtured and developed?
- Do I look forward to my daily work?
TLDR: Does academia promote your flourishing?
“Is academia giving me energy?”
Don’t answer this question too quickly. It’s easy to think of our favorite parts of academia (teaching and research). They’re often what drew us to academia in the first place.
But consider your actual, day-to-day experience of academia.
Writing. Grading. Peer reviewing. Interacting with peers at conferences. Dealing with reviewers. Dealing with your advisor. Dealing with the dean. Dealing with your department. “Service.” Committees. The job market. Writing grants.
What percentage of your actual, day-to-day activity gives you energy?
You can love research or teaching and still feel drained by academia.
How full is academia leaving your tank? Does it ever replenish it?
“Am I compensated fairly?”
How many hours are you expected to put in?
What sort of service and “extras” is expected from you?
What debts have you taken on during grad school? Will academia compensate you enough that you can repay those debts?
Money isn’t everything. But it’s a lot.
Some people don’t mind low incomes.
But for most people, their salary flavors their entire life and the life of their family.
Are you really being paid what you are worth?
Will your pay continue to match the hard work that you’re putting in over the years?
Is academia good for my mental health?
Academics tend to talk about academia as being their passion and somehow “perfect” for them.
But is it actually good for you in your day-to-day life?
Research repeatedly suggests otherwise. For instance, graduate students in a 2018 study were more than 6x as likely to report depression and anxiety.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8715816/
We all know how stressful the job market, adjuncting, and being a junior lecturer or tenure track prof can be. And after tenure, then the giant load of service work crashes down.
The truth is, academia does not lead to flourishing for many people.
And it’s OK if you’re one of those people (you’re in the majority).
Step back and evaluate whether academia is actually contributing to your personal and professional well being. Or is it doing something else to you?
Take stock of your thought patterns and emotions, especially those connected with academia. Check in with your “self talk” and with how your body feels when you think about your academic experiences.
Are you in a toxic situation?
Are you being nurtured and developed?
Academia should be a place where you can continue to grow and develop your skills and expertise.
Are you receiving the support and guidance you need to thrive, or do you feel like you’re stagnating? Are you surrounded by people who empower you, or by people who take you for granted or bully you?
Some people love the consistency of refining their performance of the same duties over decades. Other people feel claustrophobic at the thought of a life on repeat.
Which are you?
Are you on a path of continued interest, engagement, and healthy challenge in your career? Or are you adrift?
Do you look forward to many of your work tasks?
Evaluate whether you’re still genuinely interested and invested in the work you’re doing in academia.
Are you passionate about your research or teaching, or do you find yourself going through the motions? It’s OK if your passions have changed.
What sustained us in one phase of our life may not always. What interested us once may not always.
For example, I found teaching “World History” and “Western Civ” surveys a stressful but interesting challenge as a grad student and junior professor.
By my early 40s, I felt dread when I thought about teaching the course. Or grading for the course. Or trying to keep the course fresh. I was just done with it. But I had to teach it for another 25 years!
Sure, I could have overhauled it or tweaked it or done all sorts of innovative things. But my passion was gone.
I also didn’t look forward to writing, researching, or the large majority of my daily tasks…
Weekend nights were spoiled by the thought of the week to come. Summer was overshadowed by the thought of the fall semester.
Work isn’t supposed to be easy or always fun.
But if you’re not looking forward to anything, that’s kind of a big sign.
So, does academia promote your flourishing?
If the answer to any of these questions above is “no”, then academia may not be good enough for you.
There are many other paths that can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful career.
Are you sticking with academia because it’s good for you now, or because it seemed good to you years ago?
Remember, you have the power to shape your own career and create a life that is aligned with your values and goals. Don’t be afraid to take risks and explore new opportunities, even if they take you outside of academia.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to find a career that brings you joy and fulfillment, and allows you to live the life you want to live.
Stop asking if you’re good enough.
Start asking if academia is good enough (for you).