When I was five I told everyone that I wanted to become a Professor when I grew up... high ambitions? Well, yes and no...
In my little world a professor was someone who could read books all day and keep learning. Later, I even found out that you got money for doing that. That it was a level on a career path was not understood at that time... but knowledge and learning... Wow!
Later, when I started in Academia the fascination for reading was replaced by the fascination for doing research (with computers) and some reading. But, of course, becoming a professor was still the goal. One problem, though, was that the professors I met didn't seem all that happy...
Now, when i am in the university, teaching and doing research with all kinds of fun toys, becoming professor does not appeal to me at all (I am an associate professor, sure, but not a full one). I can play with all my toys i.e. do research, teach students hungry for knowledge (at least some of them are). So why should I strive for a position where, as I have learned with time, you don't have time for research and teaching for all the admin and applying for money that you have to do. And once you get the money you have to pay others to do the research you want to do, because you have to do more admin and apply for more money... Why go there?
Well, you get status, and a higher salary. But do you have more fun? I doubt it, seriously. I don't care for the title, and some extra money is always welcome, but is it worth that to become a research administrator, having to leave the toys for others to play with? For me the answer is a very clear "No"...
What is your driving force at work? Is it the career, the money or your personal self-fulfilment? Or all at once? Or something else?
Crossposted from: https://www.uptrennd.com/post-detail/what-s-in-a-career~MjA5OTky
