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[oldadjunct]

What kind of freedom and flexibility do we, academics, have? I think a Subway franchisee has a greater level of freedom and flexibility than we.  

Clearly you have never owned a business.  I have and can say, without equivocation, your comment reveals a total lack of experience.  

Moreover, though never having done a franchise, even the smallest amount of research would be enough to indicate to a thoughtful observer that franchisees require a level of hourly/daily/weekly involvement, not to mention personal financial risk, that far surpasses anything an academic faces.

You also seem not to realize that almost all national brand franchises (the most lucrative) are owned regionally by larger companies (for example as early as 1970 all McDonalds opportunities west of the Connecticut River were controlled by a single third party), and even those are being bought back by the nationals.  Franchising is a way to off load initial expansion costs to middle tier investors, generally not individuals.

In other words, from start to finish, you don't know what you are talking about.

[oldadjunct]

(for example as early as 1970 all McDonalds opportunities west of the Connecticut River were controlled by a single third party),

East of the Connecticut River.  I meant EAST of the Connecticut River.

Sorry.

[hyperbole]

I was hired at 55 some 5 years ago.
I hope to still have an academic job of some sort next year (up for tenure now). This has been a dream come true for me and I wouldn't want to do anything else. Money Shmuhney, I just feel lucky all around to have had the chance to do what I love whatever happens.

[untenured]

I agree with oldadjunct.  We academics have far greater freedom and flexibility when compared to our industry counterparts.  In exchange, we give up the possibility for higher compensation.  Workwise, we academics are rather pampered.

I'll gladly make that trade.

Untenured

[arts4ever]

I'll take Cranefly's job in a heartbeat! I typically work at the university 60 hours during the week, with additional time many weekends. Afternoon nap--I think I've heard the phrase somewhere.

The Chronicle typically distributed a salary survey annually which has pointed out the fact that academic salaries fall further and further behind inflation as the years go by. That's why it's such "fun" to read in the popular press about how we are paid so well to teach a couple of hours weekly.

[john_proctor]

Also, I'd not work like a slave in some Fortune 500 company -- and deal with all that that entails even for $400,000.

 

Employees at Fortune 500 companies don't work like slaves.

My freedom and flexibility are priceless

What kind of freedom and flexibility do we, academics, have? I think a Subway franchisee has a greater level of freedom and flexibility than we. 

Wow, really?

I mean, when the water rises like this week and next (final exams, final papers) or at semester start up, things can be pretty busy. 

I hate meetings and and writing assessment/review reports.  True that.

I use Summers for writing and research, so I work a full 12 months.

But you've really got to be kidding me about the whole "work like slaves" and no flexibility.

Work in a factory for six months.  Or do agricultural work.  You'll come to understand "work like a slave" a lot more.

Ask your local physician about hours (particularly during their residency and fellowship.  For laughs, ask them about their salary then, too).  Talk to an accountant about "tax season" or end of fiscal year or audit prep.  Some attorneys make a killing off escrow and family law, but ask your local D.A. office staff about their hours and pay.  Talk to a soldier about feeling like one is "owned" and "flexible" employment.  Ask your neighborhood cop about how he gets release time.  Or postal worker.  Compare your schedule with a high school (or even elementary school) teacher.  Couldn't pay me enough for that bulls***plushours job. 

Seriously.  Yesterday, I took a mid-afternoon walk just because it was a bracing, beautiful day on campus.  I read fiction regularly.  I attend world-class concerts, art openings and theater - all for free from my office.  I really have total control over my working hours, with the exception of when I need to be in class (I set my course schedule); I have to get the work done, but can decide when I'm doing it.  I can take blocks of time in the afternoon for biking or running.  I'm paid to travel to major cities in the US and Europe at least once a year (usually two or three).  I'm free to think about whatever I choose for the day; if I get interested in rabbits for godknowswhat reason, I can sit staring out the window and pondering rabbits.

I can get up and walk outside into the fresh air very nearly any time I decide to do so.

And I've got a salary in the top range of 5 figures, a 401k, health/dental/visual and tuition remission for my kids at more than a score of campuses.

I work about 60 hours per week, if we include reading and research.  But, thing is, I love my field.  I'd do this for free on my own time if I had to work somewhere else.  It really isn't a labor, and we very much do have the most flexible schedules and independent discretion about hours of any professional field out there.

[janewales]

Thanks for this, John_Proctor. I'm also one of the lucky ones, with a really good tt job that actually does pay really well, and more to the point, pays me for doing what I love. Of course there are irritations (meeting from hell yesterday, for example-- don't get me started), but there really is unparalleled freedom too. It gets on my nerves when my similarly privileged colleagues complain about being overworked and underpaid, especially when we all have jobs that most of the grad students we're training, for heaven's sake, can only dream of. There are plenty of un- and under-employed academics, and plenty of people in the world outside the university who also work very hard, in far worse conditions. Those of us who grabbed the brass ring need occasionally to remember that.

[cranefly]

I'll take Cranefly's job in a heartbeat! I typically work at the university 60 hours during the week, with additional time many weekends. Afternoon nap--I think I've heard the phrase somewhere.

The Chronicle typically distributed a salary survey annually which has pointed out the fact that academic salaries fall further and further behind inflation as the years go by. That's why it's such "fun" to read in the popular press about how we are paid so well to teach a couple of hours weekly.

I work 60 or 70 hours a week, just not all day at once :)  I work all weekend, usually... I just like napping so I can be refreshed to work in the evenings...

[temporaryname]

<snip>

Ask your local physician about hours (particularly during their residency and fellowship.  For laughs, ask them about their salary then, too).  Talk to an accountant about "tax season" or end of fiscal year or audit prep.  Some attorneys make a killing off escrow and family law, but ask your local D.A. office staff about their hours and pay.  Talk to a soldier about feeling like one is "owned" and "flexible" employment.  Ask your neighborhood cop about how he gets release time.  Or postal worker.  Compare your schedule with a high school (or even elementary school) teacher.  Couldn't pay me enough for that bulls***plushours job. 

<snip>

Thank you for this (and the rest of your post). I look back at my family's history, and I see a whole bunch of farmers who eked out a living farming barely arable land (sprinkled with a few others who did slightly better by opting to grow tobacco). Those who didn't want to farm became mechanics.

And here I am, in a job that doesn't require either heavy lifting or regular exposure to dangerous chemicals. I realize that complaining about your work is a hallowed American tradition, but I regularly go back home and hang out with people who *really* have working conditions that are worth complaining about.

So yeah, it bugs me when academics complain about how bad we've got it. Glad there are others who feel the same.

[john_proctor]

My only real complaint regarding my compensation and quality of life is my student loan debt.

It's not unbearable, but it is a burden.  And it has had an effect on my life.  I drive two (very) late model cars with high milage.  I need two to ensure at least one is running reliably at any given time.  I dream about selling them both (for pittance, I'm sure) to buy a newerused car that would be more reliable (and comfortable), but I can't afford a payment right now while I'm still paying off some too-long-defered maintenance on my house.

I'd love a boat.  Probably will never own one.

My home is comfortable, historic, and sufficiently furnished.  But it's modest.  I'll likely never have a new home in *that* neighborhood nor elegant furnishings.

Much of that is, indeed, because I've got debts from my education (and I'm trying to pay ahead on them).

BUT:

First, a whole lot of people are in a whole lot more burdensome financial situation.

My job also allows complete tenure remission for my kids at my college (a pretty good one) with tuition exchange or reduction at a host of other schools.

My total student loan debt is substantially less than the cost of one four-year education at my school at current prices. 

Had I saved/were in the act of saving enough to pay tuition for my kids in the coming decade(s), I'd be in the same to worse monthly financial situation. 

My only "loss" is that I can't send my kids to college just where-ever when-ever without them assuming debts of their own (or increasing my own debts to an onerous level).  But, honestly, who can anymore?

It will pay off in time.  Probably four or five times over.

I do actually think that tenure track professor is a substantially remunerative life-style with one of the most (if not the most) flexible professional schedules.  Quality of life is high, I think.

[kron3007]

I think that people's expectations tend to be a little out of whack.  Last time I heard, the average income in America was hovering around 30k.  I understand that in some fields there is plenty of work that will pay higher and that a PhD is a lot of schooling, but 55k or so is still a pretty decent wage compared to the national average.  This is especially true if you are in a public institution.

There are also a ton of perks to the job, albeit many are not monetary.  Any way, I guess the conclusion is that if you desire riches, academia is not for you.  If you desire a good wage, and a good work environment then maybe it is.

[donstefano]

I always describe my job as the ideal combination of the flexibility and self-organisation of a self-employed person with the job and wage security of a civil servant. What else do you want? Yes, I have to spend about  half my time on things that aren't exactly my hobby. But that's just 20h, or 2 days/week. On top of it, I make good money - certainly more than 90% of my family members, none of whom are poor.