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career crisis - help please!?

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gael123

Guest
I'm asking for advice on a series of readings because they represent a crossroads in my life. I have worked in universities i the UK and Europe for 15 years now and I am very unhappy in the work. Students approach the experience more and more as a customer service, and I don't blame them because they know they are going into a harsh job market with (in the UK) a huge debt burden already. But the unhappiness gets handed up the scale, and to compound the matter all my jobs have been temporary. The lack of status, financial support and security is slowly corrosive on a person's happiness, and I have to confront the fact that I have been doing so much teaching, and so much catering to students' anxieties, that I have not had the time to complete and publish all the work that would get me tenure. This is complicated still further by the fact that I am no longer sure I want tenure. I'm so burnt out by all the work that I no longer really love it. Besides, even tenured academics now have to spend a large amount of their time fundraising for a sector which is now chronically underfunded, over more than one generation. Academia and writing were what I always wanted to do but I feel the world I thought I was entering as a student in the late 90s has really departed.

In a happier turn of events I have recently come into enough money that with some care I could live independently for a very long time, as the result of the death of a relative. I have now written three (unpublished) novels, some published poetry, and have a book contract for a book of literary criticism which I should complete this year. I am fully aware that I will not make a living off this, but with the financial question settled for the present I am wondering if I should make the break from academia. My worry is that by doing so I leave myself quite isolated, and that the university associations I have had have operated as something of a calling card with publishers - to let go of this (although the environment does make me genuinely unhappy) might not be wise. I am not an established writer by any stretch of the imagination; but I have always wanted finally to throw myself at writing another novel, some more non-fiction as well, and really having time to develop that side of my life.

I therefore asked the Iching a series of questions. I do know this is a long post and that these are several questions, but I was interested by the way they resonated with each other. Because this is such a big turning point in my life, I would be deeply grateful for any thoughts. I'm sorry to bang on. Thank you, Gael

What can I expect as a freelance writer? Hex 51.5
Would I be happier out of academe? Hex 51.2.5
Should I stay connected to academe? Hex 15.5
How should I approach the next 4 years? Hex 8 unchanging
How should I approach my career in next 4 years? Hex 8 unchanging
Could I ask for more insight into the way I should bond over next 4 years? 49.1
Should I write another novel? 49 unchanging
What can I do to prepare for the shocks coming up in my life? Hex 49.2.6
 
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gael123

Guest
I should add the relating hexagrams, I'm sorry: 51.5 to 17
51.2.5 to 58
15.5 to 39
49.1 to 31
49.2.6 to 1

thank you very much G
 
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diamanda

Guest
Tricky decision indeed. Here's how your readings sound to me:

What can I expect as a freelance writer? 51.5 > 17
Constant shocks and upheavals, and more to follow. Very unsettled life.

Would I be happier out of academe? 51.2.5 > 58
Happier, I don't know.
For sure you wouldn't get bored, with so many shocks and constant financial instability.

Should I stay connected to academe? Hex 15.5 > 39

The connections you crave and need are actually not located in academia.
You'll need new connections, and to find new ways of doing things.

How should I approach the next 4 years? 8 unchanging
Stay right where you are.

How should I approach my career in next 4 years? 8 unchanging
Stay right where you are.

Could I ask for more insight into the way I should bond over next 4 years? 49.1 > 31
Stay wrapped up where you are. And be open to new proposals.

Should I write another novel? 49 unchanging
Yes, but choose the timing carefully.
Maybe write something very original, radically different than what you usually do.

What can I do to prepare for the shocks coming up in my life? 49.2.6 > 1
Resulting 1 shows that constant changes will keep happening and restarting.
So be psychologically prepared to constantly change and change and then change some more.
 
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gael123

Guest
Diamanda, thank you so much. Your readings are bullet-precise but also really resonant and thoughtful. Thanks.

It's such a strange tension to me - between the 'stay where you are' (my current job ends in the summer anyway; I could apply for another in the same institution but I don't want to) and the 'change.' I love where I live and the people close to me so maybe it's saying stay put but make new connections. That seems to emerge clearly from what you say. I have to be strong I think!!

Thank you again.
 
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diamanda

Guest
Actually the overall message I get from your readings is don't abandon academia completely. Perhaps take a break in the summer (49, set the calendar in order) to focus on your writing career. Or another possibility that comes to mind is go part-time. I believe the shocks will come only if you fully abandon academia - it sounds to me like you do have a choice if the shocks find a way into your life or not.
 
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gael123

Guest
I think you're right. I just asked, What can I expect if I abandon academia completely to receive the reply

43.1 to 28: One step forward will set you back a mile. You are not equal to the overwhelming odds you face at the moment.

Seconds your reading i would say.
 
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diamanda

Guest
Totally agree with you, 43.1 > 28 shows a very wrong step.
 

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