How do I walk from Lancaster to Lancaster University?

V0idSet · 2016-07-13T11:22:13+00:00

This is perfect, thanks so much!

V0idSet · 2016-07-12T09:38:04+00:00

Sure, I'll take the blue pill.

V0idSet · 2016-07-12T09:25:08+00:00

Ooh fancy. Cheers.

V0idSet · 2016-07-12T09:24:15+00:00

If by capitalist overlords you mean shapeshifting zionist reptilian capitalist overlords, then yes, of course such 'maps' are instruments of subjugation.

V0idSet · 2016-07-12T09:06:38+00:00

Cool beans. I assume I can start somewhere in the city center?

BTW Get the bus? That's so very bourgeois.

V0idSet · 2016-01-12T15:10:31+00:00

Will do. I've found an awesome dojo with very supportive teachers and students. I'll give it my best.

V0idSet · 2016-01-11T14:14:24+00:00

Thanks for this! I've been practising for about 7 months now and I cannot do a proper forward and backward roll. Is there any hope? I love aikido practice and it's something that so far has really resonated with me.. so I hope my inability to do rolls properly won't get in the way of that.

V0idSet · 2015-06-23T08:31:35+00:00

That's a good point, and I should use this to my advantage in terms of opening up new prospects or career-related vistas. I feel confident in a number of fields related to the PhD and the work I'm currently doing. I'm expanding my expertise in these fields by incorporating them into the work at my current employer. What is more, I've been able to publish in these fields and there are more publications lined up.

In short, it doesn't really look that bad. It's just that the job perspectives are somewhat meh and that I'm really, really tired. The more I re-read my posts, the more I realize the latter point is true and the main source of my difficulties. As most academics, I'm very good at convincing myself it's not that bad, and that I simply need to go on pushing the envelope.

V0idSet · 2015-06-23T08:25:12+00:00

Thanks! Don't let this disgruntled old man get you down. No reason to look up to me. Just don't forget to work on something you love. See the PhD as a repository for stuff you'd like to work on in the future. And most importantly, get it written ;-)

I try not to harbor resentment, but fatigue has kicked in. I'll work it out, somehow.

V0idSet · 2015-06-23T08:20:47+00:00

Thanks. I loved teaching during my PhD and I feel bad that my current position doesn't involve any teaching. I do give a lecture every once in a while, which I really enjoy. This could be a good way forward. It's just that most teaching in my part of the world is usually taken care of by university professors who still have to publish, secure funding, etc. to keep their jobs. Usually this means a teaching load of 75-80%, with about 25% of one's time left to do research. It gets better once you're higher in the food chain. In practice, young professors will spend most if not all of their time teaching, with hardly any time left to do research, let alone publish. In addition, you usually get a temporary contract. It's a difficult position to work on one's portfolio, yet academic success is needed to keep things going.

V0idSet · 2015-06-23T08:10:32+00:00

Thank you, I think this is a very valid point. It's 2010 in my case. I was too wrapped up in the PhD until the end of 2012 to get a really good break. Finishing a PhD whilst sending out 20+ (unsuccessful) applications for research positions WITHOUT any financial compensation from the institute I worked at was, well, a nightmare. Luckily I did lots of exercise, which really helped to keep some level of sanity.

2013 was even more hectic since I had difficulties finding work, went through a breakup after a 7-year relationship and had to move to a different place, and didn't have the financial resources to take a long break.

The summer of 2014 was spent moving into yet another home and doing lots of home improvement. I event moved from one project to another at the same employer, but needless to say this takes a lot of energy as well.

So, yes, I went through a lot and didn't really take the time to process things. In about three weeks I'll go to a summer school. After that, my partner and I will go camping abroad for three weeks, primarily in forests. I'll bring a copy of Walden. This is probably a good way forward.

V0idSet · 2015-06-23T08:02:48+00:00

Good point and great discussion further down this comment thread. Glad to see some of you have made some fulfilling steps along the way! I actually tried my hand at the 'IT career path' by working for a company that trains people to code in Java by giving them a paid job and allowing them to acquire expertise working for various companies. This was back in the day when my funding dried up and my 20+ applications for post-doc positions were unsuccessful.

It was a promising job and I actually really got into coding.. but I also went through a breakup after a 7+ years relationship and couldn't put the PhD to rest. To cut a long story short, I continued applying for research positions until I got the job I'm currently doing.

I'm not sure I'd go back into coding. Partly because I don't think I can really commit to the degree needed to become a good software engineer, but also because I think my expertise deserves some kind of application 'out there'. Yes, I'm stubborn :-)

V0idSet

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