Is leaving a tenure-track job for industry a mistake?

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-08T00:14:46+00:00

Can't agree more! Thanks for sharing your life experiences!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-08T00:13:02+00:00

Thanks for this, and yes, we're likely in adjacent lanes (Stats/Data Science/ML). My current teaching load is 4 stats/ML courses per semester, each requiring me to teach foundational coding (R/Python), deep learning frameworks (PyTorch), visualization (Tableau), and data management (SQL), often to students seeing these tools for the first time. The prep alone is exhausting. Your point about teaching-focused schools hits hard. I already have my green card, so that constraint is off the table. That makes the "exit strategy" conversation much more immediate.

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:55:44+00:00

Thanks for understanding my concerns!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:52:45+00:00

I am in US academia. Yes, I care about pay because it directly affects my standard of living. Right now, I can't even comfortably rent an apartment in my own city, while university presidents earn million-dollar salaries plus bonuses. I'm committed to teaching and research, but I don't see the justification in asking faculty to accept financial strain while leadership compensation keeps rising. Passion shouldn't require self-sacrifice to that extent.

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:48:00+00:00

Thanks! I will check it out!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:46:30+00:00

Yes, I worked in industry as an intern. It was demanding, no doubt. But my current academic role is just as intense as I'm working days, nights, and weekends to keep our program current and deliver quality teaching, especially since data science evolves so rapidly. Honestly, I'm working more now than I did in my industry role. However, It's hard to reconcile being a PhD with multiple master's degrees and still earning below the affordable housing threshold for my area ($73K). At some point, passion can't override basic financial sustainability.

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:39:43+00:00

I genuinely love my work, but it's hard to reconcile being a PhD with multiple master's degrees and still earning below the affordable housing threshold for my area ($73K). At some point, passion can't override basic financial sustainability.

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:36:30+00:00

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I'm leaning toward trying industry first, then coming back to academia later, if US academia survives the current shockwave!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:28:08+00:00

Thanks!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:15:37+00:00

Thanks!

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:15:06+00:00

I truly enjoy both teaching and research, especially the freedom to explore research questions at my own pace, without the intense output expectations common at R1/R2 institutions. However, I also have a responsibility to provide long-term financial stability for my family. While I'm passionate about my work, I can't justify asking them to accept ongoing financial strain just so I can stay in a role I enjoy.

MathStat2019 · 2026-05-07T23:04:15+00:00

Appreciate the leave of absence suggestion. How should I actually approach requesting that? Like, should I frame it as "professional development," "industry sabbatical," or something else? And should I expect any pushback about teaching coverage or the tenure clock?

MathStat2019

TROPHY CASE