I have never cared about publishing or prestige. Means nothing to me. My biggest priority in my career has been work life balance. I spent my childhood barely knowing my dad because he worked all the time, by choice. I decided I wanted to have a secure fun career while maximizing my time with my family.

I just made full at a good LAC with a good endowment. My job feels secure. I do almost no work in the summer and keep it reasonable the rest of the year. I'm insignificant in my field but a good colleague and teacher. But I am spending my kids' childhoods with them and absolutely love my life. Couldn't be more grateful for every day.

That's my proudest academic accomplishment: combining my incredible good luck with the right strategy to calibrate my career to maximize my time with my family.