I gave up on Academia after waffling around for a few weeks (and posts if you see my history). Despite not having my university job anymore, I lead a research project and helped organize a large network of scholars. In these roles, I finally witnessed the hubris and narcissism so many warned me about. It came to a head this week. People not offering meaningful collaboration, had my work stolen and used in a massive survey without credit, hierarchy suppressing knowledge, and exploitation. Two items really stand out as the nail in the coffin:
A scholar joining a panel I’m forming had really wonderful contributions to make. Now, they are trying to change its direction and want to present their own work. Caustic. I’m kicking them off. Before I could boot them, they signed me up to be a reviewer in their journal without my permission, and assiged me to review their work. What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. People. Violates every ethical checklist I can think of. Hard pass.
A great chat with a person who met in person with me to tell me why they didn’t give me a job. Yes, you read that right. In person feedback. But they explained why the decision was made, redirected me to contacts, and said I was an immensely accomplished person. It was validating and empowering. Best job rejection ever. The possibilities on the outside are there I just didn’t see them because I didn’t know about them.
Welcome, new academia dropout! Trust me, it’s better this way. I’m sorry to hear you had to deal with hubris and narcissism. Not surprisingly also my least favourite part about it and indirectly the reason I ended up quitting my PhD.
My supervisors were a married couple and all my work was rated facing a team of 2 people who would always take each other’s side and were never open to hearing my perspective on my own work. The graduate school later informed me they never should have been my only supervisors. Yay for paying it forward I guess.
Anyway, it might still be a little fresh but when applying for positions outside of academia, start thinking about how to phrase your challenges or hangups there as avenues for personal growth. Corporate loves that shit.
I gave up on Academia after waffling around for a few weeks (and posts if you see my history). Despite not having my university job anymore, I lead a research project and helped organize a large network of scholars. In these roles, I finally witnessed the hubris and narcissism so many warned me about. It came to a head this week. People not offering meaningful collaboration, had my work stolen and used in a massive survey without credit, hierarchy suppressing knowledge, and exploitation. Two items really stand out as the nail in the coffin:
A scholar joining a panel I’m forming had really wonderful contributions to make. Now, they are trying to change its direction and want to present their own work. Caustic. I’m kicking them off. Before I could boot them, they signed me up to be a reviewer in their journal without my permission, and assiged me to review their work. What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. People. Violates every ethical checklist I can think of. Hard pass.
A great chat with a person who met in person with me to tell me why they didn’t give me a job. Yes, you read that right. In person feedback. But they explained why the decision was made, redirected me to contacts, and said I was an immensely accomplished person. It was validating and empowering. Best job rejection ever. The possibilities on the outside are there I just didn’t see them because I didn’t know about them.
Welcome, new academia dropout! Trust me, it’s better this way. I’m sorry to hear you had to deal with hubris and narcissism. Not surprisingly also my least favourite part about it and indirectly the reason I ended up quitting my PhD.
My supervisors were a married couple and all my work was rated facing a team of 2 people who would always take each other’s side and were never open to hearing my perspective on my own work. The graduate school later informed me they never should have been my only supervisors. Yay for paying it forward I guess.
Anyway, it might still be a little fresh but when applying for positions outside of academia, start thinking about how to phrase your challenges or hangups there as avenues for personal growth. Corporate loves that shit.
Good luck out there!
Much love and thanks!
Wishing you the very best going forward.
Always enjoy getting these simple words in this forum. Truly.