Ex-academics: How did you know it was time to quit?

[lekkerkroketje]

I'm curious why you chose to leave, and do you ever regret the decision?

I think my career is nearing its end, but I'm terrified of making the jump. 4 postdoc contracts in 4 different cities in 3 countries in 2 years. It's killing me. The loneliness, uncertainty, impossibility of writing because of all the admin, new languages, shit-hole apartments because no one will rent to a foreigner on a short contract, husband in a different country. Never mind the internal politics, sexism, funding desperation, alcoholism, mental health issues and failed relationships surrounding me. And as for Brexit...

Everyone told me it was going to be tough and you just have to survive the postdoc years. But there's the feeling of failing (even the negative language - quitting, escaping, getting out) when I've put so much work in. I'm too old for the corporate graduate training schemes, but suspect I'm too inexperienced for most other professional rolls. I haven't had a proper job in the outside world since I was 19. All my friends are academics.

I just need to stop moping and work some 80hr weeks to get some articles out, or take the jump. I've never felt so cowardly and unmotivated though! Please hand me a grip

How old are you OP? Can you say broadly which subject area you work in?

When I realised that I did not want it enough to keep going through the stress of changing country and constantly looking for jobs. I was not ready to give up my life for it. I love my job now and glad I got out when I did (1 postdoc)

I left one contract post PhD (a research position but not even a proper postdoc). I wanted to have a proper family life over a mediocre (at best)academic career. Perhaps if I had anticipated a glittering academic career I might have had more incentive to stick it out!

I'm early 30s, in a minor and not particularly industry focussed STEM field. The most obvious exit is programming, but industry doesn't have much call for MATLAB and Fortran coders! It doesn't help that the few people I've seen going off into tech firms have all been treated even worse than postdocs and have had complete breakdowns. They did get twice my pay for the breakdown though. Mine got thrown in for free...

I guess I could do a plenty of jobs, but the jargon in the adverts is terrifying and the catch 22 of everyone wanting industry experience. I don't even know where to start.

MATLAB and Fortran? Hysis and hazop related programs? Then chem eng companies would snap you up. Try process engineering companies OP.