some days i wish i were more like the rest of you: working a standard 8-6 job, with predictable annual income of what someone with a decent post-graduate degree might earn, plus some annual bonus, company shares, benefits, plus a humane number of days of annual leave, and an appointment that is ‘permanent’ until you are being fired, etc., rather than trying to pursue this apparent path i’ve landed myself in.
because to everyone else it seems completely DAFT… this non-permanence and non-guarantee in the path towards a more stable (academic or other) research position… and the seemingly pointlessness in getting a higher degree.
some days, i truly wish i were more like the rest of you; living with that income stability, investing financially into your foreseeable future…
just so i won’t feel like an outcast for loving what i do.
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Monday, 10th January, 2011 at 1:11 am
joan
I know exactly how you feel ‘cos I’m in the same situation. But I think I’m even worse ‘cos at least you can say you love what you do. I’m in limbo at the moment and it’s frustrating.
Anyway, I think that you love what you do is something that you have that most/many people don’t. At least you’re happy. I ask myself too, whether I should be more ambitious in the way of ‘collecting’ things like cars, a flat, chasing that higher post in the company etc, and I feel inadequate in not having lived up to society’s often held measure of success. I can’t say I’ve figured things out and I’m still struggling and grappling with how to find that balance both materially and spiritually.
Well, more discussion on this when you get back to Singapore! Looking forward to seeing you!
Tuesday, 11th January, 2011 at 23:46 pm
overacuppa
Joan: i am sure something suitable will come your way… just keep trying, be positive, and learn from all sorts of past experiences… etc. etc.
looking forward to catching up, too! =)