34. It's okay to update your dreams. You don't have to stay in the research world if you can't stand its typical negative aspects (particularly in universities) such as pressure for publishing, precarity, exploitation, ego.. Just know that even when you love your job you still are going to hate it from time time.
I’ve been running my own company, on my own, for a long time. Before that I had a good run in a Fortune 500 company. Not academia but I think I may have a “wish I had known” in common. I wish I had known going in — what I would tolerate in a cultural change within the institution. My corporation changed rapidly from an equal focus on customers, stockholders, products, profits and employees to stockholders and profits. My moral compass had been warning me for at least a year and I finally resigned.
I imagine the DEI issues may weigh heavily on people relying on a steady paycheck. 🌱🌿💚
Hi Katharine. Thanks! And thanks for your thoughts. That's great that you let your moral compass form your decision making! Yes, it must be a very challenging time in many workplaces in the US right now. I feel for people!
It was great reading you Jonathan. Very insightful. I am testing the waters if I'd be willing and able to continue in Academia (I've been away from it for 10 years now) and your article gives me better perspectives to gauge my heart. Thank you very much for sharing.
This was super helpful. I’m in the midst of writing a paper (evolutionary psychology/social bonds and intergroup conflict) as well as seeking funding. I’m joining academia later in life at 39, and this list is supporting me with various thought processes. Thank you!
Hi, I am an early career researcher, and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I am writing something similar for my little brothers that want to do science as well. I enjoyed the reading, thank you!
The suggestions are great in theory, the problem is how to find the time to do it all, especially if you have small kids at home or aging parents (which also makes mobility hard or impossible depending on the situation). When do you find the time to be that good at your work and commit to doing so many things and at the same time do sanity things like sports, friends, sleep etc?!? To give a quick example, I'm definitely one of those people who like to go into side quests and read wide and make connections between topics. It's definitely behind my best ideas. But there's so much to read in any field, how do you find the time to keep up with multiple fields?
All good questions! These are meant as snippets of my learnings. We can't do all things perfectly. I 100% understand the struggles with multiple competing demands. I have young kids -- they take priority for me. I'm still constantly feeling overcommitted, so I don't pretend to live the perfectly balanced life. Nonetheless, these are some things that I have learned along the way to try to prioritise. Either way, no job is more important than a happy, connected, fulfilled life. You'll never feel caught up -- it's about learning to live with that and learning to prioritise well. Thanks for your thoughts!
I think your 33 reflections could apply to anyone embarking on a career so thanks for sharing what must've been quite personal thoughts. Often we look at a successful Olympian and only see the medal ceremony but behind the scenes it's not all smiles and happiness. Sometimes it's the failures and rejections that help people get over the finish line. It teaches us who we are and helps us strive for more even though we don't think so at the time.
Thanks Kim. My pleasure. Yes, I hoped there'd be something in this for folks other than those going into a research career. Absolutely re: failures. You have to go through it them to grow.
When making major life and career decisions take your time. Listen to logical head, passionate heart and intuitive gut. Decide with confidence and commitment. Act without remorse regret or fear. No decision is a viable option.
This is great advice. The fact that it's 33 points that sometimes contradict each other demonstrates what a challenging career path this can be, ha ha!
My advice to more junior colleagues is to remember that this is a *harsh* system, and not to blame themselves when they feel stressed or "not good enough". I love research, but at least in my experience there is so much pressure & competition that even exceptionally good scientists working huge numbers of extra hours constantly feel like they're "failing". This is very damaging for mental health (and uprooting yourself to move for work can make things worse).
So, for people who decide they want to stay in science despite the pressure and uncertainty, I think it's important to keep in mind that feelings of failure, overwhelm, or always being behind the to-do list doesn't mean they are failing, but reflect a system that is quite dysfunctional.
Thanks Hannah. Indeed! It's a challenging career alright. I was on the verge of pivoting out of academia when no opportunities had arisen in NZ for six years, but got lucky in the end. You have to be able to put up with waiting or be very flexible with where you live.
You've hit the nail on the head. I'm still grappling with all those things. Despite outwardly seeming like I'm doing OK, I'm still 'failing' on a daily basis in many areas. You get more used to letting people down but it's not a nice feeling.
Thanks for your honest reply! I guess being from NZ doesn't make things easier. I had some colleagues who wanted to move back there, and they really struggled with the fact that a job in a "suboptimal" location usually actually meant being across the world from where they wanted to be. Many of my European colleagues might not live exactly where they want to, but at least they can usually travel there easily.
Yes, letting people down is something I still struggle with. I often feel that to reduce the pressure I put on myself and work reasonable hours, I'd need to drop any side-projects and anything I don't directly benefit from - but these are usually things where I'd let others down and make them work more! It's hard to find the right balance...
Yep, NZ is a long way from anywhere. I miss living in Europe and the States for how connected they are.
It's a constant struggle! I'm in a phase where I overcommitted a long time back and dealing with the consequences now, but you learn as you go. I'm trying to be much, much more careful about what I commit to these days.
Haha, I think I'm in the same phase... I'm currently trying to change my research focus & to have a more balanced life, but because projects run for so long, I still have lots of commitments I made 5 or so years ago. This includes work with more junior researchers and PhD supervision - it would of course feel very wrong (or is just impossible) to drop out of these now!
Let me know when you've figured out the trick for being careful with new commitments - I think I'm improving but I relapse a lot!
It’s a constant struggle. I think just putting hard limits on certain things is a good option. E.g. you only supervise as lead supervisor x number of students, only say yes to x number of peer reviews per year etc. but also just having a really hard think about what’s currently on your plate in next year before agreeing to any new thing.
34. It's okay to update your dreams. You don't have to stay in the research world if you can't stand its typical negative aspects (particularly in universities) such as pressure for publishing, precarity, exploitation, ego.. Just know that even when you love your job you still are going to hate it from time time.
Ooh love this one! Totally left that off. Something along those lines will make it on an updated version. Thanks for sharing.
oh cool thanks!
Jonathan, what a great and generous list.
I’ve been running my own company, on my own, for a long time. Before that I had a good run in a Fortune 500 company. Not academia but I think I may have a “wish I had known” in common. I wish I had known going in — what I would tolerate in a cultural change within the institution. My corporation changed rapidly from an equal focus on customers, stockholders, products, profits and employees to stockholders and profits. My moral compass had been warning me for at least a year and I finally resigned.
I imagine the DEI issues may weigh heavily on people relying on a steady paycheck. 🌱🌿💚
Hi Katharine. Thanks! And thanks for your thoughts. That's great that you let your moral compass form your decision making! Yes, it must be a very challenging time in many workplaces in the US right now. I feel for people!
It was great reading you Jonathan. Very insightful. I am testing the waters if I'd be willing and able to continue in Academia (I've been away from it for 10 years now) and your article gives me better perspectives to gauge my heart. Thank you very much for sharing.
My pleasure, Miantra! Wishing you all the very best for your re-entry! :)
This was super helpful. I’m in the midst of writing a paper (evolutionary psychology/social bonds and intergroup conflict) as well as seeking funding. I’m joining academia later in life at 39, and this list is supporting me with various thought processes. Thank you!
My pleasure Anna! Glad it’s helpful for you! Good luck with the transition into academia. Sounds like an interesting field.
Hi, I am an early career researcher, and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I am writing something similar for my little brothers that want to do science as well. I enjoyed the reading, thank you!
Thanks -- lovely to get that feedback. Glad you enjoyed it.
The suggestions are great in theory, the problem is how to find the time to do it all, especially if you have small kids at home or aging parents (which also makes mobility hard or impossible depending on the situation). When do you find the time to be that good at your work and commit to doing so many things and at the same time do sanity things like sports, friends, sleep etc?!? To give a quick example, I'm definitely one of those people who like to go into side quests and read wide and make connections between topics. It's definitely behind my best ideas. But there's so much to read in any field, how do you find the time to keep up with multiple fields?
All good questions! These are meant as snippets of my learnings. We can't do all things perfectly. I 100% understand the struggles with multiple competing demands. I have young kids -- they take priority for me. I'm still constantly feeling overcommitted, so I don't pretend to live the perfectly balanced life. Nonetheless, these are some things that I have learned along the way to try to prioritise. Either way, no job is more important than a happy, connected, fulfilled life. You'll never feel caught up -- it's about learning to live with that and learning to prioritise well. Thanks for your thoughts!
I think your 33 reflections could apply to anyone embarking on a career so thanks for sharing what must've been quite personal thoughts. Often we look at a successful Olympian and only see the medal ceremony but behind the scenes it's not all smiles and happiness. Sometimes it's the failures and rejections that help people get over the finish line. It teaches us who we are and helps us strive for more even though we don't think so at the time.
Thanks Kim. My pleasure. Yes, I hoped there'd be something in this for folks other than those going into a research career. Absolutely re: failures. You have to go through it them to grow.
When making major life and career decisions take your time. Listen to logical head, passionate heart and intuitive gut. Decide with confidence and commitment. Act without remorse regret or fear. No decision is a viable option.
Great advice, Kim!
This is great advice. The fact that it's 33 points that sometimes contradict each other demonstrates what a challenging career path this can be, ha ha!
My advice to more junior colleagues is to remember that this is a *harsh* system, and not to blame themselves when they feel stressed or "not good enough". I love research, but at least in my experience there is so much pressure & competition that even exceptionally good scientists working huge numbers of extra hours constantly feel like they're "failing". This is very damaging for mental health (and uprooting yourself to move for work can make things worse).
So, for people who decide they want to stay in science despite the pressure and uncertainty, I think it's important to keep in mind that feelings of failure, overwhelm, or always being behind the to-do list doesn't mean they are failing, but reflect a system that is quite dysfunctional.
Thanks Hannah. Indeed! It's a challenging career alright. I was on the verge of pivoting out of academia when no opportunities had arisen in NZ for six years, but got lucky in the end. You have to be able to put up with waiting or be very flexible with where you live.
You've hit the nail on the head. I'm still grappling with all those things. Despite outwardly seeming like I'm doing OK, I'm still 'failing' on a daily basis in many areas. You get more used to letting people down but it's not a nice feeling.
Thanks for your honest reply! I guess being from NZ doesn't make things easier. I had some colleagues who wanted to move back there, and they really struggled with the fact that a job in a "suboptimal" location usually actually meant being across the world from where they wanted to be. Many of my European colleagues might not live exactly where they want to, but at least they can usually travel there easily.
Yes, letting people down is something I still struggle with. I often feel that to reduce the pressure I put on myself and work reasonable hours, I'd need to drop any side-projects and anything I don't directly benefit from - but these are usually things where I'd let others down and make them work more! It's hard to find the right balance...
Yep, NZ is a long way from anywhere. I miss living in Europe and the States for how connected they are.
It's a constant struggle! I'm in a phase where I overcommitted a long time back and dealing with the consequences now, but you learn as you go. I'm trying to be much, much more careful about what I commit to these days.
Haha, I think I'm in the same phase... I'm currently trying to change my research focus & to have a more balanced life, but because projects run for so long, I still have lots of commitments I made 5 or so years ago. This includes work with more junior researchers and PhD supervision - it would of course feel very wrong (or is just impossible) to drop out of these now!
Let me know when you've figured out the trick for being careful with new commitments - I think I'm improving but I relapse a lot!
It’s a constant struggle. I think just putting hard limits on certain things is a good option. E.g. you only supervise as lead supervisor x number of students, only say yes to x number of peer reviews per year etc. but also just having a really hard think about what’s currently on your plate in next year before agreeing to any new thing.
Thank you for sharing ! I believe 100% of what your saying is also applicable to "consultants" as well. Cheers !
Thanks Stephen! That's great to hear. Cheers!
Also helpful for me part way through PhD from a different career - there’s definitely no clearly defined manual! Thanks
Great to hear, Alice! You’re welcome. Hope the PhD is going well.