The Recovering Academic

The Recovering Academic explores the challenges and transitions faced by individuals leaving academia, including reflections on personal growth, critiques of higher education systems, the impact of parenting and childhood experiences, the integration of fitness into recovery, and the pursuit of authenticity in work and life. It features essays, poetry, interviews, and discussions on adapting to life changes.

Academia and Education Personal Growth and Transition Critique of Higher Education Systems Parenting and Childhood Influences Fitness and Well-being Authenticity in Work and Life Literature and Writing Leadership and Management in Education Adapting to Life Changes Cultural and Societal Observations

The hottest Substack posts of The Recovering Academic

And their main takeaways

Why I am searching for family roots abroad

197 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
  1. The author is on a journey to explore their family roots in Prague and Moravia, seeking personal connections and inspirations for their writing.
  2. The trip includes participating in a writing workshop and reflecting on the significance of ancestral heritage on individual identity and storytelling.
  3. The experience in Prague reveals a blend of historical essence and modern culture, highlighting the unique humor and atmosphere of the city.

Swimming from academe to your first industry role

79 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Career Technology Healthcare Industry AI
  1. Networking plays a crucial role in transitioning from academia to industry, helping bridge the initial gap from the shore to the first island.
  2. Storytelling and human connection can be powerful tools in job interviews, emphasizing the importance of building relationships beyond just technical skills.
  3. AI presents both challenges and opportunities in fields like medicine, where it can assist in data processing and diagnostic accuracy, while also raising concerns about human connection and empathy in healthcare.

An Evening with Ed Rockland

79 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
⚔ Fiction Short Story Literary Fiction
  1. The story features a professor protesting against an oil baron at a college event, sparking conflict and tension.
  2. The protagonist, Johnson, faces personal struggles and dilemmas as he navigates the situation.
  3. The narrative delves into themes of environmental activism, personal values, and the clash between progress and conservation.

The Optimistic Bulldog

79 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Career transition Academia Higher education Self-employment
  1. Dr. Lauren McClain found fulfillment in entrepreneurship after leaving academia, where she realized she could be in control of her own destiny and income.
  2. The transition from academia to entrepreneurship involved self-reflection, learning new skills, and embracing challenges, proving that one can adapt and succeed in unfamiliar territories.
  3. Entering entrepreneurship allowed Dr. Lauren McClain to utilize her strengths and optimism to make a meaningful impact, demonstrating that one can still make a difference in different ways outside of traditional academic settings.

Grind less in roles that suit you more

79 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
💼 Business Career development Job Market Salary Negotiation Work-life balance
  1. Consider pivoting to roles that align better with your strengths and preferences for a healthier work-life balance.
  2. Exploring different career paths before fully committing can help you make informed decisions about your professional journey.
  3. Job satisfaction and compensation are important factors to consider in choosing the right career path for yourself.
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Open thread: Career talk

79 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. The post discusses academics transitioning to industry like psychology professors starting their own business, history professors becoming UX researchers, and sociology professors co-founding companies.
  2. The author shares insight into exploring different job titles in industry that may be unknown to many PhDs, like project management, content strategy, and communications specialist.
  3. The author invites community feedback by sharing their documents for industry job applications, demonstrating a cooperative and transparent approach to improving professional materials.

Open thread: On caring institutions

79 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
  1. Prioritizing employee experience as much as student experience in institutions can enhance overall mission fulfillment and well-being.
  2. Workload problems, particularly in academic institutions, can lead to chronic stress among staff members, impacting their productivity and mental health.
  3. Effective communication is crucial in institutions but may not solve underlying leadership issues; internal problems need to be addressed directly for sustainable growth.

Join me on Notes

79 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Community
  1. Joshua Doležal has a new space called Notes on Substack for sharing links, short posts, quotes, and more.
  2. Readers of _The Recovering Academic_ automatically see Joshua's notes, and they can also like, reply, or share them.
  3. The Notes space is intended for sharing thoughts, ideas, and interesting quotes from various sources.

Numbers Trouble

217 implied HN points • 10 May 22
🎭️ Culture Education Literature Art
  1. In American society, there is a strong obsession with numbers, including college acceptance rates, GPA, standardized test scores, and social media metrics.
  2. The focus on numbers in education and publishing can sometimes overshadow the true value of human relationships and craftsmanship.
  3. Many individuals, from parents to writers, feel pressured to constantly pursue more followers, higher acceptance rates, and increased numbers, often at the expense of authenticity and genuine connection.

Why I Run

118 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
  1. Running can be a deeply personal and meaningful ritual, akin to prayer or meditation, offering a sense of routine and connection.
  2. Exercise and physical activities can be intricate components of coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional and mental struggles, providing a way to manage pain and find resilience.
  3. Balancing personal rituals like running with other life responsibilities is crucial, and sometimes choosing to step away from a challenging situation can be a wise decision for mental and physical well-being.

Four Questions for the Assessment Committee

118 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
  1. Defining quality in higher education can be complex and subjective, with measures ranging from academic credentials to student performance.
  2. The rise of academic assessment in higher education has brought about a shift towards standardization and depersonalization of teaching methods, impacting both teachers and students.
  3. Assessment in education may overlook contextual, human factors in learning, undervaluing qualities like creativity and personal growth that cannot be easily measured.

Are universities good or bad for us?

98 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Higher education in America is seen as both a public good and a public threat due to contradictions in ideology and history.
  2. The roots of Puritanism in America continue to influence cultural and political debates today.
  3. American universities flourish under secular democracy, with the explosion of higher education paralleling the decline of Puritanism.

Searching for roots during a major life change

158 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
  1. Looking into one's ancestry can provide insight and comfort during major life changes.
  2. Genealogy and DNA testing can reveal surprises and complexities in one's heritage.
  3. Learning about ancestors can help put personal struggles into perspective and inspire gratitude for the chance at life.

A psychology PhD's journey from academe to human factors engineering

59 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Psychology Engineering Academia Career transition Professional networking
  1. Ashley Ruba transitioned successfully from academia to the industry, showcasing the value of building online professional relationships.
  2. The academic job market can be challenging and unmeritocratic, leading to difficulties in securing faculty positions despite impressive achievements.
  3. Ashley Ruba's journey highlights the importance of exploring career options outside of academia, especially when facing challenges like limited job prospects and the impact of external factors.

The best work is on the B-side

59 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🚌 Education Career transition Networking Soft skills Literature
  1. Instructional design involves designing and building learning materials and experiences, which can range from formal training programs to informal learning spaces like Slack groups or podcasts.
  2. Effective diversity and inclusion training goes beyond just one-time sessions and includes ongoing discussions, cultural shifts, and deep engagement with materials like literature to foster lasting change.
  3. For individuals leaving academia, networking is a key strategy for marketing oneself, building relationships, and ultimately finding career opportunities outside of traditional education settings.

Think of your work history as a series of Seinfeld episodes

59 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
💼 Business Career development Personal Branding Academia Entrepreneurship
  1. Think of your work history as a series of episodes, like a TV show narrative, rather than just a list of achievements.
  2. Authenticity and personal storytelling can be key in building a brand; sharing your personal journey can resonate more with others than just presenting qualifications.
  3. Building a community, promoting others, and showcasing your unique experiences and initiatives can be effective in transitioning from academia to industry and landing opportunities.

Don’t be a “success disaster” in academe

59 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
💼 Business Career transition Networking Professional development
  1. Transitioning from academia to industry requires translating academic experience into industry-friendly resumes and leveraging networking to identify opportunities.
  2. Exploring different career paths through prototyping can help in understanding personal strengths and passions before making a career change.
  3. Building a focused and impactful portfolio can make a difference in catching the attention of hiring managers in a competitive job market.

Feedback Friday and a private thread

59 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
  1. The author is seeking feedback from readers to improve the quality of the newsletter.
  2. A survey is provided for readers to share their thoughts, or they can directly message the author with feedback.
  3. The post also includes information about a private thread for subscribers.

The Sweet Spot

59 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
📚 Literature Fiction Memoir Poetry
  1. The author's love for baseball and the connection with his father shines through the memoir. Baseball became a bonding activity between them and a way for the author to feel close to his father.
  2. The author's experience in baseball and the pursuit of finding the 'sweet spot' on the bat is paralleled with his spiritual journey. The 'sweet spot' represents more than just a physical connection with the game, but also a sense of purpose and truth.
  3. Baseball serves as a metaphor for the author's internal struggles and search for validation and redemption. The game becomes a canvas where he grapples with guilt, faith, and the pursuit of meaning.

What Yellowstone gets wrong by trying to be too right

79 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Identity History Environment Literature
  1. Yellowstone strives for truth, but its portrayal of Montana can be misleading and harmful.
  2. The show overlooks economic struggles and industrial history of Montana, focusing more on a romanticized narrative.
  3. Montana is a place of contradictions, where personal experiences and stories may not align with popular narratives like those portrayed in Yellowstone.

All about epiphanies

79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
  1. Epiphanies can come from various sources and environments, including through reducing sensory inputs and seeking expansive surroundings.
  2. Epiphanies are not always joyful and can sometimes be negative, leading to moments of pseudo-insight or flawed revelations.
  3. It is possible to have failed epiphanies, where an initial moment of understanding is followed by confusion or a sense of being lost.

How sugaring feeds my soul

59 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
📚 Literature Fiction Memoir Poetry History Culture
  1. Maple sugaring is not just a culinary tradition but a cultural practice that connects people to nature and history.
  2. The process of syruping serves as a way to mark the changing of seasons and fosters community through shared experiences like tapping trees with friends.
  3. Syruping holds the potential to create lasting memories and connections to a sense of place, offering a way to anchor personal identity in a rapidly changing world.

Are the alpha dad and the clown really our only options?

158 implied HN points • 03 May 22
  1. Literature and popular culture often portray fathers in simplistic roles as either alpha types or buffoons, limiting the spectrum of fatherhood representation.
  2. Dr. Henry McCord from 'Madam Secretary' stands out as a character who challenges stereotypes by reflecting changing attitudes towards fatherhood and exemplifying adaptability and moral integrity.
  3. The portrayal of fatherhood in media, exemplified by characters like Dr. Henry McCord, can influence and inspire real-life father-child relationships, highlighting the importance of positive role models.

How do you know the Flint water crisis isn't a hoax?

98 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
  1. Documentation style in academic writing, like MLA, can be overly complex and ever-changing, leading to frustration for both students and teachers
  2. The SMELL test is a helpful tool for evaluating the trustworthiness of sources in an era of misinformation and fake news
  3. The digital news landscape is filled with clickbait, advertising-driven content, making it challenging to find reliable sources and navigate through the noise

How to speak a teacher's love language

98 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Teachers see themselves as equals, not subordinates, and value respect and mutual support. Institutions should communicate this genuinely to build a supportive culture.
  2. Teachers thrive on autonomy to innovate and adapt their teaching methods. Standardization can limit their creativity and enthusiasm for teaching.
  3. Offering financial security and taking monetary concerns off the table can allow teachers to focus on their passion for teaching, ultimately improving performance and morale.

How many millions has your university lost on athletics?

98 implied HN points • 06 Sep 22
  1. Most universities lose money on athletics, with only 25 profitable Division I programs.
  2. College athletics raises questions about resource allocation and priorities within higher education institutions.
  3. The financial risks, mental health toll, and exploitation of student-athletes could be reduced by shifting from varsity teams to club sports.

From the Age of Mass Migration to the Great Resignation

118 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
  1. Ancestral stories can shed light on personal life transitions and decisions like the Great Resignation.
  2. Transitions across generations reflect reshufflings in communities and value systems.
  3. Migration and new beginnings carry both risks and opportunities, shaping identities and destinies.

How I left academe and what came next

59 implied HN points • 29 Dec 22
  1. Transitioning away from academia can be challenging due to ingrained thinking patterns like all-or-nothing mentality.
  2. Engaging in rituals, like building a garden fence, can aid in processing transitions and moments of change.
  3. Leaving academia involves complexities beyond just taking a sabbatical, like dealing with unforeseen emotional challenges and confronting the erosion of purpose in the daily work.

Colleges have a boy problem

118 implied HN points • 31 May 22
  1. College enrollment is seeing a decline in male students, with experts suggesting reasons like resistance to authority, feeling unwelcome in classrooms, and societal expectations for boys.
  2. Changes in education approaches, like requiring reading responses and portfolios, could impact male students' success and retention in college.
  3. There is a growing concern about men's unwillingness to engage in honest discussions in classrooms, fearing self-censorship and public shaming, which could be leading to their avoidance of higher education.

The not-so-funny Valentine

118 implied HN points • 17 May 22
  1. Pranks are about power and can either make someone feel powerless or included, so it's important to know your audience.
  2. Pranking can sometimes be a way to compensate for insecurity or trauma, and may have roots in personal experiences or family history.
  3. While humor is often attractive, it's essential to consider the impact of pranks and ensure they create good memories rather than shame and isolation.

Rituals as Recovery

118 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
  1. Establishing rituals can help navigate major life transitions or 'lifequakes'. These rituals can involve embracing grief, working through it, and letting go of old habits.
  2. Rituals differ from hobbies in that they connect us to others, ground us, or restore our internal balance. They offer a sense of purpose beyond personal enjoyment.
  3. Reevaluating and reshaping rituals, like running, to focus on community and long-term benefits can aid in completing life transitions and avoiding shortcuts or survival mentalities.

The education of a firefighter

98 implied HN points • 24 May 22
  1. Choosing between different career paths can be a tough decision, but it's important to pursue what feels right for you.
  2. Prescribed burns are a crucial learning experience for firefighters, teaching about fire behavior and control strategies.
  3. Firefighting is a diverse field that brings together individuals of various backgrounds, fostering a unique sense of camaraderie and unity in the face of danger.

Can you be recovering and still be "in it"?

98 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
  1. Recovery is a mindset that can thrive anywhere, even in academic institutions.
  2. Academic life can sometimes foster binary thinking with rigid ultimatums, creating challenges for those seeking to recover.
  3. Questioning, humility, and nuance are valuable tools that can help navigate the complexities of academic life and identity.

Who gets to think about purpose?

98 implied HN points • 12 Apr 22
  1. Privilege plays a significant role in life transitions and career choices, affecting who has the opportunity to contemplate changing jobs or leaving academia.
  2. In academia, tenure represents privilege but can also trap individuals in oppressive circumstances, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds.
  3. Financial compensation is a form of respect in the workplace, and when pay feels disrespectful, it can erode one's sense of purpose and fairness.

Why I'm Launching The Recovering Academic

79 implied HN points • 24 Mar 22
  1. The author explores the concept of shifting from a work identity to a personal one, acknowledging the conflict that can arise.
  2. The series aims to delve into broader questions about defining goals in an uncertain time, seeking to resonate with readers beyond academia.
  3. The author encourages sharing and engagement, promising regular new content to support other creators on their respective journeys.

What do Screaming Frog and film studies have in common?

19 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💼 Business Career development SEO
  1. A humanities PhD found success as an SEO manager after realizing academic career challenges and exploring other options like internships, creating personal projects, and leveraging different skills.
  2. SEO work involves critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, which can offer engaging problem-solving experiences across various disciplines, blending technical and creative aspects.
  3. When transitioning from academia to industry, the multitude of career pathways may feel overwhelming, but ruling out options based on personal interests and finding a role that blends desired skills can lead to a fulfilling career choice.

A Hymn to Hot Sauce

1 HN point • 27 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Gardening Traditions Memories
  1. Gardening connects us to a place and its history, offering a way to transform pain into beauty through growing flowers and food.
  2. Hot sauce making is a rich tradition that involves storytelling and passing down recipes through generations, symbolizing a connection to history.
  3. Peppers for hot sauce should be harvested ripe, cured, fermented, then blended with vinegar and garlic for a personalized, flavorful homemade hot sauce.