What can an ex academic do? Any ideas?

[agingoth]

ok, over qualified woman here looking for career ideas.

My job in legal academia has exploded for divorce related reasons, and I'm finding it impossible to get suitable work in the SE. I need to think again but don't know where to start....

I have a degree in classics, a CPE/LPC in law, a minor accounting qualification, lots of work experience in banks int he 90s. Then did MA in Gender Studies, PhD in English (basically literature/gender), ended up by a fluke in a law dept where they basically let me write whatever I like (though I do have to teach land law! urk) but that no longer looks viable.

I know I shouldn't write myself off and there must be exciting creative things other than academia out there for me but I am stumped and discouraged. 37, 2 small kids, etc. Feel like damaged goods.

I've considered trying to become a writer on my research issues of choice, (motherhood, mental health, pharmaceutical culture etc) but would probably need to get into the freelance journalism market to do that woulnd't I? If I publish something post-grad level, do you think I could approach newspapers as a writer/book reviewer on these issues?

Also have an urge to write a psychological thriller (about my divorce, lmao) but not sure where to start.

All other input however way-out appreciated....

That is fabulous advice TUO and thanks for the links.

I am aware of all the 'impact factor' stuff which must be particularly hard for English depts to 'prove'- and I have noticed that Law and Lit etc courses tend to be run from English depts. There is quite a lot of snobbery among 'proper' lawyers about what seems to be 'soft' interdisciplinary work.

The problem of course is that english depts are chronically underfunded. I am also thinking media and cultural studies depts, and sociology as my work crosses through all these. Need to start writing to people I think...

also agree re the medical humanities, if I specialise a bit m ore in mental health on the next book I might get to be acknowledged in that field....

Not sure how I'm' going to be off for money. I have a very rich ex, am living in his house as he won't leave (!) so no rent or bills to pay, but he may get mean in the near future. I'm advised that while I am still looking after the kids I am due 20 percent of his income which is considerable. however, I do really enjoy getting out and doing things. If I can't find any teaching in English/cult stds I am going to go back to the law teaching again just to get me out of the house....

thanks again xx

agingoth - have you considered teaching on the CPE or similar? I don't think you could teach on the LPC as you're not qualified as a solicitor (not sure all schools take that approach though) but CPE is normally more flexible. May not be what you want but might be better than nothing. You might also be able to do this part time which would free you up to do your other writing.

v true Axis (I have name envy )- someone up the thread said same and it's v tempting as I suspect pays better than some universities- could be wrong though.

Then I could work on flogging myself desperately to English/cultural stds depts as a true interdisciplinary scholar

I have no ideas for you but wondered how you were getting on generally?

I wouldn't worry about the childcare aspect because you can use holiday club/nanny etc just like your dh has been. He can't criticise you for doing something he has been doing. They could always have a holiday with your parents/them to you etc perhaps????

Hiya sleighgirl

could be better circumstances for Xmas as you can imagine. I didn't get the job in the SE I'd applied for and guess what, all 4 people they took were shiny young childless academics who get to work 12 hours a day and make grant applications in their spare time...so I feel a bit jaded to say the least about academia right now. And then Mandy made his lovely Xmas announcement, hehe.

They did say they were 'very impressed with me and strongly encouraged me to apply for future jobs' which is nice I suppose.

I cried for 2 days or so, then told their dad that he could surely now see that I've really tried my best to get a job in the SE and he conceded that point. He also wants mediation very soon- too soon for me as I need to work out long term plans etc, i.e. am I going to need 1 or 2 years off or never be able to go back to my old job? etc. I told ex that if he is going to stick to his old plans i.e. everyone must stay in London forever, there is absolutely no point in mediation as the bottom line for me is that we must agree something MUTUALLY acceptable. Otherwise it is just paying £1500 to have a nasty row in front of someone and as I said to him, we can do that for free anytime He did concede that point and said he is 'prepared to negotiate'. Whatever that may mean.

I'm trying to stay positive for the kids' Xmas but my family are being very difficult and I am pretty depressed right now. I'm trying to be easy on myself, not push myself too hard as sometimes everything seems overwhelming.

Ds1 also seems very unhappy (probably picking up on my unhappinness) and has been asking why he can't leave school and come to live with me out of London- H then promptly accused me of 'coaching' him to say this though in fact I have just been open about our disagreement and said that we all need to talk (because no point imho following H's line and telling ds1 he will never leave that school, if all that could change next year?) H had a huge go at me in hearing of both kids accusing me of making ds1 miserable 'in my own interests'- it amazes me how he sets an agenda and expects everyone to follow it blindly. He then started having a go about me moving back in, asking what I expected to achieve from it and surely I must know I didn't have a hope of getting sole residence and moving the kids out etc. To which I replied that I didn't have to discuss my plans with him and that I took his accusations of abusive and manipulative behaviour very seriously indeed and would be taking note of them.

Life don't get much better than this eh? all I can keep hoping is that one day it will all look like a terrible blip but I feel so scared and alone tbh. Parents being spectacularly unsupportive- they always loved H and I think blame me for the split and for taking a job 'too far away' even though it's been amply proven it was/is the only one I can get.

Just wrote lots and lost it!

Very sensible words from you to H.

Surely you can take on board that your ds1 wants to be with you, so take heart that your dc know that you love them and are feeling secure in their relationship with you and sadle perhaps not so with their Dad.

I would think through some option to present to your H prior to mediation, eg

I stay at the marital home with the dc and be full time carer with you paying spousal maintenance as I have had to give up my career in order to spend time with my dc. He could have alternate weekends, one night during the week and half the holidays.

You and dc relocate to somewhere on the outskirts of North London type area and look together at finding a suitable school for the dc in the new area. You are able to financially support yourself. He can keep the current home. He can have the contact as offered above.

Food for thought?

I really don't think he would get 50:50 residence if you fought against him because so much of his 50:50 would have to be done by a nanny which isn't in their best interests if you are sat around and available to parent them. Clearly your ds would rather be with you than the nanny IYSWIM.

Agingoth - I was a solicitor for many years, after bankruptcy caused problems with that ( a business I was involved in went bust, nothing to do with personal profligacy) I lectured for a while but was made reedundant when the department was re structured. I've now requalified in social care ( at 50+) and have a lovely job running a department of a charity for the elderly. As most people who work in this sector seem to be rather quiet and shy I'm also very involved with a couple of local care organisations and use my former skills giving talks and presentations promoting independent care provision. I've done several courses and am now on a programme at Masters Level in Health and social Care Management. Tnhis is just to; say keep your chin up and don't rule anything out - I came across my oopportunity while doing a bit of temping.