Academic vs Corporate

[Vishenka69]

I'm beginning to get fed up with the Corporate world. The politics and hypocrisy are really getting to me. One of my ideas has involved getting a Ph.D., but I'm now wondering that the world of Academia might not be that far from Corporate America.

I know several of members here have their Ph.D. or are in the process of getting one. Don't know what your corporate experience is but how do you find Academia? Do you have to watch your back and is CYOA (cover your own ass) your primary concern? Will I be just as disillusioned or does it really depend on department and institution? I found a program I like in Bryn Mawr anyone know anything about this school?

[alison]

First off, if you get a PhD, it doesn't mean you have to work in academia. Academia a stressful environment. You get your toes stepped on all the time, and, I'm sorry to say, you do a lot of stepping yourself. You're in survival mode. I don't think it's different than anywhere else, but all the bad stuff is especially pronounced.

As a woman, it's hard to have kids. A professor in our department hid her pregnancy until she was in her 6th month. That isn't to say that there wasn't gossip swirling around her when she started to wear baggy clothes, but there's a whole lot of resentment towards women who want a family in academia.

On that note, GO FOR IT!

[fluffhead]

I worked for a Very Large Corporation before getting my PhD.
While the process of getting the degree was highly enjoyable and fullfilling, I don't think you'll find an escape from hypocrisy and back-stabbing in the academic world.
The degree might open some doors for you, and close others as you become "overqualified."
We are currently struggling with this decision for DW, who can remain in academia or escape to pharma. We're leaning to the latter - no grants to write.

[Sheherezade]

I'm also very cynical about academia. I think it used to be an amazing culture and life (in the 1940s and 50s ). That may have been a fantasy as well. Current academia (for basic science) is hyper-competitive due to the grant crunch, the large number of post docs competing for jobs and the trend to hire adjunct faculty vs. full time faculty. That said, I have no idea what the liberal arts side of things is like and I'm sure there are pockets of good if you find the right mentor/environment.

So.......it's all back-stabbing and CYA in every environment? I blame the huge numbers of baby boomers. Maybe it will be better when they all retire. (I'm very in to demographic explanations these days. )

I do not have a PhD. I have worked in academics doing research and for a big bad corporation. I agree with fluff.

My cousin's husband was decided between academics and picked pharma. On the whole, happy with his decision. My cousin (also has PhD) teaches at a university but has decided to forgo the tenure track and is working on developing a different career. She is making progress on that front with a recent national publication.

[Vishenka69]

Thanks guys. I guess I can always do the MA first and see how that goes before continuing further. I'm just really lost at to what to do next (I've posted on this topic before). I thought if I escape finance and go into the consumer industry, I'll leave a lot of backstabbing and CYA behind. Three years later I realize that is not the case. I have no desire to raise up the management ladder or to remain an analyst for the rest of my working days. Hence the academia. It's just that professors never seemed quite as burned out or bitter as many of my collegues are.

[ides]

It's just that professors never seemed quite as burned out or bitter as many of my collegues are.

I don't know your co-workers, but I spent four years working for leaders in academia and I can tell you that they are very bitter, burned out and as nasty as anyone. I also haven't met a professor who wasn't bitter and tripped out & overly rightous regarding their status and "intelligence". One thing I noticted is that people seem more territorial about their jobs in academia, but that could have been a regional/social thing. Maybe I'm just a negative nelly

wasn't bitter and tripped out & overly rightous regarding their status and "intelligence".

The truth. There are exceptions but sometimes they are few and far between.

[Vishenka69]

Ok, you've convinced me, SAHM it is. They may be burned out but at least they're not bitter.

[Sheherezade]

I love hearing this opinion from others. It makes me feel like I evaluated the situation in academia correctly -- instead of having a knee jerk reaction to the institutions I frequented.

As for the SAHMs, we are a cheerful lot. Just avoid the PTO. :>

I've worked in the corporate sector and it was not for me. I'm more of a "color outside the lines" type of person and that was just one of the many reasons why the corporate world was not a good fit for me. I felt stifled because I was bound to a rigid job description from which I was yelled at when I deviated from it. Ugh. I have worked in an academic setting but I was at a very low-level position so I can't really comment on that.

[Vishenka69]

I don't know your co-workers, but I spent four years working for leaders in academia and I can tell you that they are very bitter, burned out and as nasty as anyone. I also haven't met a professor who wasn't bitter and tripped out & overly rightous regarding their status and "intelligence". One thing I noticted is that people seem more territorial about their jobs in academia, but that could have been a regional/social thing. Maybe I'm just a negative nelly

This has been my experience as well. Huge chips on their shoulders.

I'm curious if this is true for all academia or specific to the sciences.

Liberal arts can be pure evil.

Vishenka,

I'm a little slow on the uptake (so forgive), but are you moving near Philly (since you mention Bryn Mawr)?

If so, given your (again apologize if I'm not remembering correctly) finance background and experience with the spirits industry, are there opportunities that bring both of those together in Philly? From the little I know, Philly has been advancing on the culinary scene by leaps and bounds (don't know if that transfers to spirits / wines opportunities though).

[alison]

Liberal arts can be pure evil.

ITA.

[Vishenka69]

You guys are scaring me. Really.

Kevin, I'm working my contacts to stay in the industry but unless I want to commute for over an hour, there isn't much opportunity. PA is a control state for spirits, so that limits opportunity tremendously and my best options are across the border in DE or NJ. There are lots of opportunities in finance, but I'm still not sure how long I can stay sane in this environment. As DH's hours will be getting much better (not to mention 6 weeks of vacation), he's pushing for me to move to some place that won't have long hours and 2 weeks off.