On do you really need to be at a Top School? To find academic happiness?
I recently spent time with friends at conferences who work at different types of schools.
Some more research, some teaching, some mixed.
We all chatted about our jobs - because professors - well - we talk about work A LOT!
I found it interesting, that people cited similar sources of stress at all levels - teaching, service, research, and bad bosses.
I also found it interesting that I detected no pattern of happiness or sadness at the different types of schools.
But, I did note that people from more well-resourced schools grumbled less about money & more about research pressure.
My takeaway was that there is no perfect job or instituon- we all have problems!
So no, a job at a top school is no assurance of happiness.
If not the school, what predicts happiness?
I noticed that some people loved where they lived and the kids they taught. I call these folks academic locals.
I noticed that some people loved the intellectual discourse and the attention that publication brought. I call these folks intellectual cosmopolitans.
I noticed a few hybrids - but not many - and they tended to talk a lot about their love of their employer and the social status. I have no name for them.
I noticed a few outliers - who didn’t talk about work at all. I call them normal people.
Across all groups, I noticed confidence matters. The people that were happiest felt good about their career choices and felt respected at their jobs.
In the end, more than being at a Top School, my summer conference conversations taught me that academic happiness can be found anywhere.
If you don’t fit, and opportunity presents itself, consider trying a new place - everyone deserves a taste of happiness.
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