It's kind of uncanny to read this as I am literally (like, right this moment) writing a chapter on this exact dynamic, and how it traps PhDs in harmful environments and prevents them from seeing an exit, even when the exit is right in front of them.
I write about this exact tension as a professor, particularly how survival adaptations slowly become identity and how institutions often reward those adaptations.
What struck me most about this piece is the realization that the journey toward achievement often becomes the destination itself. We tell ourselves that tenure, promotion, recognition, or status will finally provide the sense of arrival we're seeking. But when those milestones arrive, many discover that the title fulfilled the institutional promise, not necessarily the human one.
As an assistant professor, on this tenure-track trajectory, I'm increasingly seeing that academia cannot satisfy certain needs through achievement alone. Respect, recognition, and professional success matter, but they don't answer deeper questions about meaning, belonging, rest, rest, rest (I had to say that three times, lol), purpose, or who we are outside of being productive. That's where I'm seeing many encounter an unexpected emptiness after reaching goals we spent years pursuing.
I love this and it’s hard to recognize that sometimes we strive for more so we can be seen and feel valued. On the staff side (and in personal lives), I experience this too. I’m work on “good enough is great” and it’s all fine! Looking forward to more content!
It's kind of uncanny to read this as I am literally (like, right this moment) writing a chapter on this exact dynamic, and how it traps PhDs in harmful environments and prevents them from seeing an exit, even when the exit is right in front of them.
I write about this exact tension as a professor, particularly how survival adaptations slowly become identity and how institutions often reward those adaptations.
What struck me most about this piece is the realization that the journey toward achievement often becomes the destination itself. We tell ourselves that tenure, promotion, recognition, or status will finally provide the sense of arrival we're seeking. But when those milestones arrive, many discover that the title fulfilled the institutional promise, not necessarily the human one.
As an assistant professor, on this tenure-track trajectory, I'm increasingly seeing that academia cannot satisfy certain needs through achievement alone. Respect, recognition, and professional success matter, but they don't answer deeper questions about meaning, belonging, rest, rest, rest (I had to say that three times, lol), purpose, or who we are outside of being productive. That's where I'm seeing many encounter an unexpected emptiness after reaching goals we spent years pursuing.
You understand it!! 🙏🏽
I love this and it’s hard to recognize that sometimes we strive for more so we can be seen and feel valued. On the staff side (and in personal lives), I experience this too. I’m work on “good enough is great” and it’s all fine! Looking forward to more content!