🎙️ Podcast Link 🎙️

I’m excited to release my first Hacking Academia video for 2024, “Flying Close to the Sun… and Why it Can Be Exhausting!”.

The basic premise is that if you’re pushing hard in your career, you’re going to inevitably land some opportunities and responsibilities that stretch or are even outside your capability and capacity… cue a bunch of on-the-job learning and hard-won experience.

There’s nothing wrong with this – but the learning-and-adapting-to-the-new thing can be an exhausting process, so the key is to be deliberative about how and when you go for something a little beyond your current limits, and balance it with bread-and-butter activity that you can do with your eyes closed, so to speak.

As well as re-evaluate where you’re pushing when one of those things does indeed come through (or conversely, is unsuccessful). Uncertainty and long lead times is the enemy in career planning in fields like academia, so when you know an outcome, you should replan…

Full Video Notes

Today, I want to discuss a phenomenon that many academics, especially early-career academics a few years into their tenure-track or tenured positions, experience, which I call “Flying Close to the Sun.” This concept is linked to why many people in academia, particularly those early in their careers, can feel incredibly burnt out. I’ll give a few examples and talk about some strategies to mitigate or remedy this situation.

In modern-day academia, it is a very competitive and, at times, high-pressure environment to work in. Many academics are passionate and driven, which is fortunate because without that drive and enthusiasm, it can be challenging to thrive. Academics constantly face paper rejections, grant rejections, difficulties in recruiting, and challenges in promoting their research, among other issues. It’s only through persistence, enthusiasm, and passion for their work that many academics manage to persevere.

While there are many positive, exciting, and privileged aspects of being in academia, today’s focus is on a relatively negative phenomenon. So, why do I call this phenomenon “flying close to the Sun”? If you are an ambitious or driven academic, you will often be pushing boundaries in your career. You might be advancing an innovative research agenda, rapidly building your team, and applying for exciting funding opportunities. In essence, you’re maximizing your return on investment, often through enjoying your work.

However, pushing boundaries sometimes means landing big opportunities early, such as getting promoted, organizing major academic events, or publishing innovative papers in high-profile venues. When young or junior academics receive feedback that they are excelling early in their careers, it can be an indicator that they are achieving more than is typical for their level.

Achieving major milestones early can have profound negative impacts. For example, suppose you become a mid-level editor at a prestigious academic journal or conference. Your success in this role depends more on your networking skills and status in the field than on your individual research contributions. If you’ve reached this role unusually early, you may lack the extensive network needed to recruit associate editors effectively. This can lead to exhausting processes of cold calling or emailing to fill these positions, resulting in a high workload and significant stress.

Another example is securing a major multi-million dollar, multi-year project. Such projects come with heavy responsibilities, including recruiting a large team and meeting numerous reporting requirements. If you lack the experience or network to attract the necessary talent, it can be incredibly challenging to meet the project’s demands.

A different scenario might involve landing an influential advising or policy input role based on your technical expertise. Without years of experience in advisory committees, media interviews, or government interactions, you might find yourself out of your depth, requiring substantial preparation and resulting in increased stress.

Despite these challenges, it’s essential not to shy away from pushing boundaries. However, it is equally important to ensure that not all your activities are high-risk. Maintaining a balance between challenging projects and those within your comfort zone can help manage stress and allow for personal growth.

When you succeed in these risky endeavors, it’s crucial to re-evaluate your current commitments. Academia often involves long lead times for projects, and understanding when to reduce your workload can be beneficial. This strategy helps you manage the responsibilities of your successes without overextending yourself.

In conclusion, while it’s important to push yourself in academia, it’s also vital to strategically balance where and how much you push. This approach ensures you’re not constantly operating at maximum capacity, which can lead to burnout. Instead, mix ambitious projects with more manageable tasks to maintain a healthy and productive career trajectory.