This question showed up in my LinkedIn inbox a few days ago, out of the blue, asked by a person I had collaborated with a decade ago and not had any contact since. Clearly, my decision to leave academia made an impact. But what were the reasons, anyway?
I had it all: a professorship, 800 k CHF funding to continue supporting students and postdocs, established collaborations, a great lab, many ideas, a long list of publications and conference contributions, invitations to write reviews or give keynotes. A year after having left academia, I am still considered an expert in the field, as evidenced by numerous requests to provide my feedback on half-finished manuscripts, or the many review requests in my inbox. Despite all of this, I decided to leave (as others tend to see it) or move on (as I like to put it). How can you be successful at your job and still want to do something else?
A change in interests: I still remember my very first scientific conference; the excitement about the newest research, the scientists and their stories, the mere idea of travelling the world to discuss ideas and results. Over the years, I realized that conferences changed from pure excitement to an item to tick off on my to-do-list. Of course, I was still looking forward to meeting friends and discussing new ideas. At the same time I got quite bored hearing similar stories year after year. I wanted to learn something new. Additionally, because of a challenging situation with a student in my group, I came into contact with counseling – and was fascinated by the process. I was so fascinated, in fact, that I got an advanced studies degree and started looking for counseling jobs.
Needing a new challenge: The academic career path was exciting for me as long as there were new goals to reach, or people to look up to. On my first day as a bachelor student, I was full of awe and admiration for the older students, tutors and lecturers. They knew so much, and I was so grateful that they shared their insights with me. I wanted to learn. Throughout my studies, and then my academic career, I kept admiring those people who were further up on the ladder than I was. Being an ambitious person, I wanted to reach the top. I also wanted to share my knowledge, support and inspire younger researchers. The latter is still a central aspect of my work. However, once I had made it up there, I missed the challenge; I needed a new goal to move towards.
Realizing the importance of some hidden competencies: Even though I had always been the person others turned to when facing problems – no matter whether these were relationship issues, conflicts at home or at school/work, or the question what to do after their studies –, it took me a long time to actually see the competencies behind this. I had always taken my ability to listen, to make others feel comfortable enough to share their stories or explore their thoughts, and to say the right thing at the right time for granted. It did not require any effort to do this, so surely, it could not be worth that much? I was quite surprised once I realized counseling is a profession.
Wanting more independence: My academic career heavily relied on fancy laboratory instruments. I learned how to get good data, did my best to understand how they worked, took care of them, and taught others how to use them. I am still amazed by what these instruments can do, and all the great ideas and care that went into their development. However, having instruments is a huge responsibility; from making sure that they provide reliable data to responding to failures and unforeseen external changes, everything takes time and energy. I truly enjoy the freedom of no longer being dependent on instruments, or having to think about which instrument I can sacrifice in response to a global helium shortage.
‘Being good at something does not mean that you cannot be good anything else’: This statement by a trusted person made it clear to me that I do not have to stay in a job just because I am successful. There is room to try out something new and there is room for development.
In the end, it was my curiosity to explore a new field being stronger than my wish to continue with the known and familiar. I could have stayed and chances are that I would have done a good job. However, I am very grateful for all the new challenges I faced and the new things I learned in the year since I started counseling academics rather than being an academic.
What about the person who sent me that message? They stated they see my point of wanting to learn something new, and are happy that I found something in line with my interests.