I really miss the "Blogs I Read" feature...
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Allow me to share the gist of a conversation I recently had with a long-time academic. This person tried to move from academia to industry, thinking that, after years of teaching and a distinguished academic career, he was qualified for any number of jobs and would get paid oodles more than he was already receiving.
He fielded his resume to three headhunters. One headhunter didn't even bother to call him. One said she didn't have anything for him and even went so far as to say that it was very rare for academics to transition back into industry. The kindest one said that she had something for him, but the payscale was only 25 to 50% more than what he was already getting. A payraise, for sure, but not quite the "oodles" he was expecting.
It was quite the splash of cold water in his face. He wasn't as marketable as he thought he was and he was worth no where near what he thought he was worth. He realized he needed academia as much as academia needed him.
The experience was rich with lessons. Humility. A more calibrated sense of self-worth. A deeper acceptance and appreciation for what he has. A realization that we all have a shelflife. Opportunities ripen and pass and if we miss certain windows, they are gone forever.