In academe, the epitome of success is a tenure-track job at a research university. A lesser degree of success is awarded to those who hold jobs at liberal-arts colleges, and even less so at community colleges. Nonacademic careers, however, are simply unacceptable in the culture of traditional academia.
These attitudes may seem outlandish, but they're often seen among doctoral students and faculty. Attitudes can vary among disciplines and departments. Still, the narrow view of success persists for many students, faculty, and administrators. However, only a small percentage of PhDs will become tenure-track professors at research institutions. For example, researchers Maresi Nerad and Joseph Cerny discovered that less than 60% percent of English PhDs were on the tenure track or tenured 10 years after graduation. Less than 20% of those worked at research universities.
On top of that, about 50% of graduate students never complete their PhDs, according to Barbara Lovitts, author of Leaving the Ivory Tower: The Causes and Consequences of the Departure From Doctoral Study. Most students who begin doctoral study never make it to the tenure-track. It's probably not surprising, then, that depression and anxiety are serious problems for many graduate students.
How can we improve the situation? Try to expand your perspective on careers for PhDs -- move beyond the limited perspective and consider other images of success. What is it that you need to be happy? What is success to you? Not your advisor -- you. reconsider success and failure. We have overly narrow definitions of each.
During graduate school continue to pursue your other interests. Seek experiences that will prepare you for alternative careers (e.g., grant writing, leadership seminars, and more). Changing your mind and moving away from the tenure track is right for some students. Finally, even if your hope is a tenure track position, prepare yourself for other opportunities.
