Well screw this

fade · Jul 11, 2011

Okay, I left academia about a month ago, and I've already contacted my department head about getting my job back. Good thing my house hasn't sold. I feel stupid, but I can't stand this job. It's booooring. They advertised for a Ph.D., but I think one of those rocking birds in front of my keyboard could do the same thing. My position has apparently had a lot of turnover and I can see why. I can't stand company mentality either. I remembered that from the last company I worked for, but I guess I didn't want to remember. I've already had my hand slapped several times for suggesting changes to workflow, etc. I also miss the "fame" of being a professor. When I went back to Louisiana for the 4th (my family still lives there while our house sells) I got a bunch of "Hey, Dr. Jack!" when I was out and about, and I missed that. Houston's a lot more fun, and getting paid three times as much is nice, but getting paid to do nothing ain't as fun as it sounds.

On the other hand, I will now laugh in the face of anyone who calls academia an Ivory Tower. This is the "real world" so many warned me about? Pbbt. Whatever. I'm not micromanaging ten research projects and graduate students, staying up late writing papers, constantly seeking funding, constantly having to convince colleagues that this new idea is worthwhile, being my own CEO, CFO, and PR department, all while trying to teach and keep lectures fresh and interesting, and keeping up with research in a bunch of journals and serving on uni committees. THAT part at least is easier, but damn if I don't miss it.
Added at: 01:10
To further insult the real world, I still can't figure out what everyone is doing! We have weekly meetings, and people state what they've done for a week, and I think, "What? That's it? What did you do in the other 35 hours you're claiming?" I really don't get it.

strawman · Jul 11, 2011

It's a different world, and I'm glad you figured out which one you want to be in.

I strongly suggest you write a letter to yourself.

Dear self,

It appears you are considering taking another job in industry and leaving acadamia behind. You've done it before, and it stands to reason you'll be tempted once again.

Before you do, let me remind you why it didn't work out the first two times...

Then re-read it when you feel like leaving again. Also post it to the internet for great justice.

Mathias · Jul 11, 2011

I'd suggest giving it till your 90 day review, unless you really hate it.

I can see where you're coming from. On the flip side, I hate all the

micromanaging ten research projects and graduate students, staying up late writing papers, constantly seeking funding, constantly having to convince colleagues that this new idea is worthwhile, being my own CEO, CFO, and PR department, all while trying to teach and keep lectures fresh and interesting, and keeping up with research in a bunch of journals and serving on uni committees, AND EGOS!

To each his own.

As to corporate culture. It's hilarious! The buzzwords! Oh the stupid fucking buzzwords!

I love watching people tap dance around the issues instead of just being blunt and direct about it. I love talking to clients and short of calling them stupid jackasses, explain to them that what they're asking for half the time isn't feasible. What I do hate are the talking suits that only give a shit about the bottom line, no matter how stupid and counter-intuitive the standard operating procedure is. Like you, I've had my hand slapped for trying to "disrupt the order of things." You gotta just swallow your pride, and do it the way they want it done.

More boring than academia? Yeah, it can be boring and routine. Right now, in my life, I need that.

fade · Jul 11, 2011

That's actually one of the things I hate, too. If one of my grad students does something stupid, I tell them it was stupid.

Of course, I've not heard from the department head yet. I may not be able to go back since my resignation has to go all the way up to the board of regents. Of course, I'm still officially employed by the university, though as an adjunct.

Null · Jul 11, 2011

Good luck with that.

Gared · Jul 12, 2011

Good luck to you Fade, I hate getting paid to do nothing too, so I can definitely understand your point.

fade · Jul 12, 2011

Well there's good news maybe. My dept. head is going to discuss it with the dean. Apparently he's hired two adjuncts for my classes already. I'd hate to screw them out of a job. I know it's only adjunct work, but still. There was some mention of "rearrangement", though. Don't like the sound of that. Sounds like "pay cut". Because the pay wasn't dismal enough already.

On the other hand, I did find out that one of the other profs did almost exactly the same thing 15 years ago, so I'm in good company I guess, since he's the former department head. He's stayed away an entire year, though. Geology is a weird bird because we have such high earning potential on the open market, since we fill your tank. But then they don't pay the profs a commensurate salary. They say they do, and I do know that as a geo prof I made more than the humanities profs did, but it wasn't a huge margin, and it certainly wasn't commensurate.

Mathias · Jul 12, 2011

Gared said:
Good luck to you Fade, I hate getting paid to do nothing too, so I can definitely understand your point.

Well, I think he's saying he'd rather take the pay cut and do something he loves, rather than get paid 3x more and bang his head on a desk all day.

My pharm job right now is similar to that. I get where he's coming from. Compared to academia, my jobs pretty much a monkey button pushing job too, but it pays more and I need the higher pay.

Once my cars and mortgage are paid in like 10 years, I'm going to take a big shit on my boss's desk and settle down in an academic position as well.

fade · Jul 12, 2011

stienman said:
It's a different world, and I'm glad you figured out which one you want to be in.

I strongly suggest you write a letter to yourself.

Then re-read it when you feel like leaving again. Also post it to the internet for great justice.

In my defense, the first time was out of necessity. My postdoc didn't end at the end of an academic year, and all I knew was that I had interviews for professor positions. No offers yet. I felt bad about that one because I kind of suspected I might have to leave shortly after I started. I could see on my boss's face that he thought I'd gone in with every intention of leaving. I kind of did, but I didn't know.