next »

[heejeebiji]

I do not enjoy the small town environment of my current college plus am too tired of teaching. I want to either try for a different university in a larger city or quit teaching all together and focus on research as an independent scholar. I have published a couple of articles and am working on my book manuscript. I am starting the 2nd year as a tenure track. What are the possible penalties (legal or otherwise) of quitting the college job at the end of this term?

[mended_drum]

There are no legal penalties to quitting your job at the end of the term. 

Career-wise, well, it depends on your field.  But we'd hesitate to hire someone who fled a tt job after only two years without another, better offer available.  It would signal inflexibility.  But maybe you're in a high-demand field or can get out a really fantastic book without worrying about a paycheck.

[msparticularity]

The major penalty I can think of is inability to live indoors and eat regularly. You do realize that academic writing doesn't actually pay anything, right?

[larryc]

You do realize that academic writing doesn't actually pay anything, right?

Right? Seriously, before you quit you need a better Plan B.

I know of a woman who quit her tenured position to write popular history. It turned out badly--including bankruptcy and worse things.

[prytania3]

You do realize that academic writing doesn't actually pay anything, right?

Right? Seriously, before you quit you need a better Plan B.

I know of a woman who quit her tenured position to write popular history. It turned out badly--including bankruptcy and worse things.

Really. Being an "independent scholar" is not like being, say, an independent contractor. Being an independent scholar is a lot like being a poet, except honestly, even the poet has more prospects.

Feel free to ignore my advice, but if I were you, I'd have a chat with myself about what kind of real job I would be interested in. I'd say, "Self, what position do you want? Director of the Ford Foundation? Head of the Urban League?" Then I would apply to those jobs. After I got hired in a new position, I would them quit my old position.

It's always easier to find a job if you have a job, and there is a recession going on.

[farm_boy]

Good advice.  I quit after getting tenure, out of "principle."

I found that "principle" doesn't pay well, and that no one wants to hire a troublemaker.

I bounced around (factory work, public school teaching) and now at 50 I'm on a one-year contract as Instructor at 30 grand.  But I'm fairly happy, considering.

[john_proctor]

This looks like an ideal time for a leave-of-absence/sabbatical for a semester or two.

Accomplishes your goal (getting some space; regrouping after burn-out) without doing anything permanent.

[clean]

I could be wrong, but does your affiliation help your publication?  Would a Harvard History Prof have more credibility than 'Gentleman Farmer Historian'?

That said, if you are not happy where you are, find another job.  It may not be in academics, but you are not happy, so why stay?  BUT have something to go to, dont just leave.

[neutralname]

There are a few independent scholars out there who are successful, but they are distinct minority.  Mostly, independent scholars are not very good scholars, and if there is a pecking order, then they are at the bottom.

[pinkmouse]

I know of a woman who quit her tenured position to write popular history. It turned out badly--including bankruptcy and worse things.

Is it bad that I want to laugh? I have known academics with similar schemes. "I'll be a novelist!" or "I'll set up a restaurant!" (seriously).

heejibiji - publish your book FIRST. If it is a best-seller, then you could be in a position to quit your T-T post. But try out your earning potential BEFORE throwing away a regular salary.

[antiphon1]

Steady money is good money.  Hating a job is one thing.  Living in a van down by the river....  Chris Farley's shade will haunt you forever.

[shamu]

I can't really speak to the first issue (I don't know how much you really hate your current job), but as Clean suggested, institutional affiliation is very important. You did not indicate your field (even broadly), but consider that getting research funding will become more difficult (especially federal and in some cases foundation money), publishing may become more limited, and the prospect of getting a job between semesters is also not good.

That said, unlike other posters, I do know people who left academia and are thriving. However, as others, I know of cases when the grass was not greener on the other side. I think you need to take a careful look at the pros and cons. The recession is also working against you, although some fields are still hot.

[euro_trash]

I think trying to move now would be a giant red flag.  

You need to stick around at least a few years in order to show that you can play well with others.  

I suggest staying put for a while, and publishing your @ss off.  While you plot your escape, you should do your best to do the things you need to do to get tenure.

FWIW, it is normal to be exhausted in your second year.

[prytania3]

I think trying to move now would be a giant red flag.  

You need to stick around at least a few years in order to show that you can play well with others.  

I suggest staying put for a while, and publishing your @ss off.  While you plot your escape, you should do your best to do the things you need to do to get tenure.

FWIW, it is normal to be exhausted in your second year.

If he doesn't like it and doesn't plan on staying in academia, why in the world would he stay a few more years and publish his ass off? That's the most ridiculous advice I've ever heard.

Let him either take a leave or get out the resume and get another job.


Not staying in academia long is no red flag for industry.

[collegekidsmom]

Maybe OP is "independently wealthy" notwithstanding current downturn. Isn't that one of the only ways you could just walk away from work without another job in a recession or consider being a writer? In that case, just worry about looking good on your CV-like you have made wise decisions with your career path.  I think it's always good to look good on paper no matter what the circumstances. Sometimes that means sticking it out at a current position long enough to get the papers/book in the pipeline or to look successful at what you are doing. Then you can leave on your own terms as long as you can support yourself and any other dependents.