Who is going to employ a 40-something, burnt out academic?

[NoWorkInProgress]

How have I ended up with almost no work? My days are so dull and dire. I feel I’m wasting my life away. There must SOMEONE out there who would employ me?

I have a degree & PhD in Psychology. I drifted into it, and ended up as in a senior position as a lecturer in a good university after a few years as a postdoc. I struggled a lot in academia. My ex worked full time, too, and I was juggling kids. Plus I have ASD, it was a difficult environment. So I quit my post and reconceptualised it - did freelance work. This was successful for several years and the short term contracts suited me well. I gave a lot of tutorials, ran courses on a short term contracts, taught online, and even got involved in some creative projects involving various charities. It was great while the DCs were growing up.

Fast forward a few years. I’m divorced, my DCs are teens, and I’m left with the online work only. I am too worn out to give lectures. I can’t keep up with the new research, and it feels like a performance art that I can’t do any more. My online work is not fulfilling any more. It’s the same thing every term. I run it with my eyes shut.

How do I get out of this? I am panicking. I did a counselling course a few years ago, but it’s not for me. I can’t afford to retrain. I’ve applied for non research posts at local universities but get nowhere with those.

I am now pretty distressed! Who is going to employ a 40-something, burnt out academic of yesteryear?!!

Has anyone else been in my position? I’m so scared.

There's a great book written by Catherine Gladwyn on how to be a va

Thanks Egghead68

I’m not sure about any more online work. I’m fed up with opening my laptop everyday, and feel like I’m suffering from a lack of physical interaction with others. However, I don’t want to sound negative, and this work sounds interesting! I wonder where I’d find out more. Do psychologists need PAs? I wasn’t really aware but it’s not my area.

You could complement this with a side business such as selling crafts/books/whatever you are interested in on eBay/Etsy etc or training as a keep-fit instructor or something

Thanks for these suggestions. Although they sound like good ways of topping up an income, I don’t really like using eBay or Etsy, and would be utterly rubbish as in anything sporty.

I guess I want to have a “normal” life where I can go out to work, do something satisfying, and come home. My kids will be at university come the autumn and the thought of being left at home with my laptop fills me with dread.

@linmanuel

There's a great book written by Catherine Gladwyn on how to be a va

Thanks, I’ll look it up.

Would you work in IAPT? Or look on NHS jobs - there are jobs coming up all the time in the MH policy teams.

Not all psychology is mental health - most isn’t!

Another suggestion - the Civil Service. I think they like ex-psychologists for the Government Statistical Service although that may not be for you if you don’t think your stats are great.

@DufferedUp

Egghead is right. The psychology I “do” is not about mental health. I’m not qualified to do those posts.

@Egghead68

Another suggestion - the Civil Service. I think they like ex-psychologists for the Government Statistical Service although that may not be for you if you don’t think your stats are great.

Thanks Egghead! Yes I already looked into this but statistics isn’t my strong point, that's correct.

How much do you need to make? Start from there.

I’ve seen lots of schools looking for someone with psychology qualifications (especially MH). As part of their SEND support - might be worth looking into - I know that some of the people doing this aren’t Chartered clinical psycologists but have other backgrounds so might be of interest. Pay’s crap though but working practically with kids can be really interesting.

Sorry - have no words of advice but your post really resonated with me. I’ve lectured and tutored in FE/HE for the past 20 years and am now feeling much the same as you! I’ve been trying to register with non-education agencies and they just seem so useless! Am looking for work outside of education but am worrying about the lack of holidays with having a primary age child.

Anyway, just want to give you a gentle hug and wish you well x

@W00t

How much do you need to make? Start from there.

Thanks W00t. Err as much as possible! I’m not sure how this helps?

OP I would actually de- focus or work for a while and try to get your own internal landscape in a healthier place.
Once we can find calm and focus that spark and direction is much easier to find.
Flailing about in a disordered state of panic or hopelessness in unlikely to illuminate the road ahead.
I had a huge career switch- I was a research chemist- I now make and sell craft online.
My work is creative, highly lucrative, there is a lot of competition, but I mainaitin my edge by making sure my emotional state is as healthy as can be.
If that is nurtured then bounty lies within.
I practice daily yoga, make sure I nurture my mind and body, go for regular walks in the forest, take time to listen to how I feel.
The business side is easy when my mind is calm and my mood is light.
I am sure there are a multitude of opportunities that could lie ahead, but take time to lift the monkey chatter, clear the internal obstacles, and the way ahead will be much easier to navigate.

@brightbluegentian

I’m not sure that I’m the right person for those school roles. I don’t really have any MH qualifications. I did a counselling course but it’s not up to the level needed to deliver counselling. I don’t like working with kids, either - I just don’t have that passion or skill.

Thank you for this suggestion, though. I have seen posts like this advertised and hadn’t thought about applying.

How about becoming a user experience person, or a user researcher? These roles are 9-5, £40k starting (in London at least) and involve making digital interactive products more usable, basically. You can be more at the people end, figuring out how people search for info about something for example, or more at the interface design end, e.g. using behavioural psych to understand how people will use a digital tool.

It can be more or less creative - businessy depending on where you work. After a few years in a job you can go freelance which remains well paid. Your PhD is a major asset and depending on your background you might only need to do a Mooc or short course to convert. You may have to create a portfolio. Contact specialist recruiters.

If this isn't the right suggestion think about what other jobs would apply your strand of psychology. (Or if you could tell us more about your teaching/research history we could perhaps recommend).

Good luck, I expect to be in your shoes when my academic contract ends!!

@Papermonster

Thank you for posting. It’s good to know I’m not alone! You, too, tutoring etc in FE/HE for the 20 years... It’s a long time...

I had previously tried a temping agency Which was known for finding posts for academics but they were like yours, pretty useless.

Sorry to hear you’re limited re holidays and having a primary age child. That’s where I was. Now mine are all university age, I feel
I could fly the nest myself, but it feels so demoralising...

Thank you for the hug. It’s most appreciated! Have one back, and good luck with your search.

Where are you located? How much do you need to earn?

@NoWorkInProgress

I read right through and your comments have a lot of 'no', 'i don't want to do that' 'i don't like that' 'I'm not good at that' 'I couldn't do that' etc.

If it were me, and I didn't know what to do, I'd get a job to have some money coming in and use that time to think.

Because maybe when you're not working alone, have a bit of money, are getting out and about you will feel a bit more positive.

It is so hard to think clearly when not in an inspired place. What matters most I think is where you are in 2 or 3 years, not specifically what you do next week/month?

Then if you have a bit of cash coming in, you can take time to think about the type of questions mojo posted above.

@speakout

Thank you! Yes, I was in quite a state of panic when I posted. I really am de-focussing in this period, as there is so little work for me to do. Sadly, the “direction” is not coming to me, and nothing seems much clearer... This thread has helped, though.

It’s great that you made the switch from your research role! I have heard a lot of these sorts of situations and wish I had something crafty I was interested in or at that level where I could be selling it.

Agree that self-nurture is key. I’m doing a lot of that, but the work thing is separate, and sadly, still woefully uncreative. I’m trying to focus on the multitude of opportunities but nothing much is coming to me, sadly!

You'd need to do the IAPT qualification to work in IAPT and the policy teams don't require a MH qual - you said it was an area you were interested in though.

AutumnLeavesSeptember

How about becoming a user experience person, or a user researcher?

This sounds great! I wonder how I go about finding this sort of role? I love the idea of something so analytical and involving problem-solving. This sounds very exciting!

OK so sounds like I should contact specialist recruiters. At risk of sounding stupid, do you know who they would be? I’m guessing I can just Google “user researcher” and “recruitment”... will try this.

No, I don’t think I want to be in any other strand of psychology. Time for a change!

Thanks for the suggestion, and also for luck! I wish you every success

@DufferedUp

You'd need to do the IAPT qualification to work in IAPT and the policy teams don't require a MH qual - you said it was an area you were interested in though.

Thanks, DufferedUp, I’m not sure where I said I was interested in this? I’m not. I did a counselling qualification. That’s as close as it gets. After that, I decided I didn’t want to become a counsellor. It was many years ago, now.

@speakout nailed it- you need to deal with the burnout and your mental health before you do anything life changing.
Be kind to yourself.

What a lovely positive thread. I had no idea that some of these jobs even existed. I also have PhD (never "used"), imposter syndrome and am sick of teaching so thanks for starting this discussion. Good luck!

A stab in the dark - what about something in HR? Supposed to be a ''growing field''.