Just learned that a very promising early career scientist in my discipline has left academia, not seeing a desired career future for herself here. That company is lucky to get her. Yet, it saddens me enormously that it is often the most dynamic, brilliant, curious once, who are challenging status quo, committed to diversity and making our world a better place, who are leaving #academia.
What are we doing wrong to make academic careers so unattractive for the best young minds?
@TatianaIlyina the system is broken.
the days of academics running universities (and rotating out) are gone. Universities are mostly hedge funds with some academic divisions (and/or athletics) for revenue. And that's not even going into the related publishing industry.
It is working ok for whom the system was designed for perhaps. But that demographic has changed
@TatianaIlyina I'm planning on going into industry because academia:
demands unhealthy work life balance
Only offers short term contacts
Expects me to do service and write grants without paying me
Pays a whole lot less
Demands I complete underfunded projects
Doesn't have enough jobs for all the graduates
Expects me to move several times
I like working with students, but Im pretty sure that with a little effort, I can do that from within the company I'm looking at
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