My subject in particular seems to be populated by old, white, over-privileged, men that don't really have a clue about what it's like to have to fight for things. "Just work hard and it will happen"
I get told this a lot, my former supervisor means well, but came onto the academic jobs market nearly 30 years ago and got a lectureship within months of completing his PhD and has been there ever since. Also, almost be definition anyone on the inside and in a position to supervise postgrads has succeeded, I often thing the advice from those who fell by the wayside would be more valuable. Despite working in a subject that has a better than average gender balance, the institution where I did my PhD had no permanent female academics when I started.Something that was reflected in the limited breadth of research this 'pale, male and stale' department produced.
I can't imagine how dispiriting that must have been for female PhD students. The department's unspoken message was 'all you are worth is a low paid, insecure contract.Aspire to nothing more'
I can't speak for others like Compos and Godstopper, but it doesn't look to me as though the more formal, institutional systems are accessible to us or able to help. Like so many things in academia, if you're already on the inside
Amen to that. It feels like I am in a state of perpetual limbo, cut off from all forms of support (career advice, networking, access to e resources) at the time I need it the most. I can't see a way through it and generic advice like publish! attend conferences! speak at conferences! network! Isn't bad advice and I have no doubt is the way you get an academic. job. But no one on the inside seems to understand these things take time, resources and money that I don't have at the moment. My (casual, minimum wage) mcjob ensures that either and frequently both are in short supply. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that an academic career (at least in its early stages) requires you to be independently wealthy.