Want to see a bizarre alternative academic career? Look at mine: failed to get into the teaching precariat, got a part time job editing a research journal, learned early how to get $3000 grants, published eight books and 40 journal papers, ended up a full-time research scholar at a Polish university from age 47. And my kids didn't starve or want! I don't know the official yardstick of success in #academia. But personally I am satisfied.
