I really thought I'd go on the academic job market this year... but it doesn't look like that will be the case.
I have had my eye on the job ads as they come out through the list servs I belong to and on discipline or academic webpages but there's nothing that has made my heart jump. There is even a job that I applied for last year, the search was cancelled due to lack of funding, but I was encouraged by the search chair to apply again this year and it was posted a couple of months ago but... I'm just not feeling it.
I think I needed to tell myself that I could/would go on the academic job market so that taking a non-academic position would be less scary. Now that I'm in the world of non-academia, I wonder what the hell I was so scared about. So far (admittedly only 3 weeks), I am loving my new job. I am working with smart people, doing cool work, in a productive environment. I leave here at 4:30-5:00 every night without an ounce of guilt, I don't even remotely check my email. I know that if anything comes in I can deal with it in the AM or on Monday. I can't remember the last time I felt this secure. It won't always be this way, sometimes we'll have busy times with tight deadlines and I'll be working nights/weekends. But there is flexibility here that goes along with that, like comp time and working from home.
I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not scared anymore. I am settling in and really enjoying my life right now. Things are good.
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8 comments:
Being content in where you are is a good thing. Besides, job hunting can just suck the life out of you.
Sounds like a pretty desirable time in your life. I would imagine that after so many years in an academic environment, it would take time to get used to a normal work-life balance.
That's great -- and it sounds exactly like what I want out of my career, too. Your blog is inspiring to me because I've been realizing that I most likely will want a non-academic job... and it's nice to hear a success story.
That's great especially considering how hard you tend to be on yourself.
So, so happy for you!!
It's so great to hear how happy and secure you are! I recall everyone I worked with when I was a research assistant being terrified of "The Real World" and yet my experience was that it was less stressful and it paid better. LOL!
Whichever way your future goes in the long run, this is one phobia down the drain. =)
Thanks for the comments everyone. I really appreciate the support. It's just amazing to me to think about how insecure and unhappy grad school and my post doc made me feel.
Even if I do go back to academia some day, I think this time away will still be the best decision I ever made.
Mamabeek- I am loving the real world. :)
Wow that sounds wonderful! I'm glad you found a job you enjoy doing!
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