Career Road Maps: There Aren't Any Except Your Own
Like most graduate students, I diligently followed the advice of my thesis advisor and was lucky enough to land tenure track position at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine. While I was slogging my way toward that appointment, I began to experience some troubling and persistent concerns about my career as an academic. I really didn’t like doing bench research that much, I wasn’t a very good politician and I had a burning desire to teach. Unfortunately, I chose to listen to what others thought was in my best interests rather than listen to myself.
I spent my first two years at UM wondering why I had agreed to take the job—I had no grant money, no graduate students and no life. I was truly miserable. I didn’t realize it until many years later that I was experiencing a full-blown, career crisis a the tender age of 32. I suffered in silence because I was afraid that if I shared my feelings with my colleagues they would think that I was crazy. After all, “not everybody was able to win a tenure track appointment at an up and coming medical school like UM.” Not surprisingly, those two torturous years of indecision and confusion cost me tenure five years later. While being denied tenure was one of the most difficult and devastating experiences of my life, it was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me. It forced me to reconsider my career objectives and helped me to chart a career path that was more consistent with my personality, talents and skills.
I hadn’t thought much about my former life as an academic, until I came across an article in this Sunday’s NY Times entitled “In a Life of Firsts It’s the Seconds that Count Most.” It was written by David Rosen, an advertising executive who started having second thoughts about his job shortly after he started it. His story was surprisingly similar to mine, and like me, he ignored some of the early warning signs that his intended career may not have been the best career choice for him. He ultimately left advertising and is now quite satisfied with his career as a writer.
Like Mr. Rosen, I learned a few things that I think may be helpful to others who may be struggling with their next career move. First, there is no such thing as a “universal career road map”—one size doesn’t fit all. Second, there are no right or wrong career paths—only the one that you create for yourself. Finally and perhaps most importantly, always follow the advice of your heart—some sage advice from a fortune cookie that has always served me well!
Until next time…
Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!
The things mentioned are unanimous and
needs to be appreciated by everyone.
I was highly influenced by the last few lines which are helpful in the journey of life.
Amy Cooper
careers
Thanks for the NYT article tip!