Too Old for the Life of an Academic?

[coyabean]

Someone brought up in the "am i too old" thread that there was an unarticulated question yet to be addressed: is there such a thing as too old to invest in the unicorn that a TT job is fast becoming?

I will be, at best, 38 when I finish my PhD. I am a woman. Currently I am totally unencumbered but I do vaguely hope for a day when there's a dog or a partner or a plant or something. Is almost 40 -- gulp -- too old to compete with newly minted PhDs in their 20s and early 30s? Do you think this puts us at a disadvantage in the job market?

[socialcomm]

I'd love the answer to this question to be no, but in reality I'd bet that's not entirely the case. There are probably things people can do while in school though, like publishing as much as they can, being very active in the field, and networking, networking, networking, that could help them once they're on the market. We can't control our age, so try to do the best you can in other areas to make yourself a stronger candidate in the job market.

[alexis]

Age is a protected class against discrimination. Lots of cases circulating the courts because of this. Yes, I know these implicit biases can still exist, but it's your qualifications that should matter.

[rogue]

I worry about this, too--I'll be over 40 when I graduate. But f*ck it, this is what I want to do, so I'm taking that chance. I'll still have at least 20 years to work, probably more like 30. That's a damn long time.

[UnlikelyGrad]

There are people who get into academia....and then there are the people who STAY in academia. The second number is smaller than the first.

To be a successful academic you have to (1) bring in funding, (2) publish like mad, (3) attract lots of grad students, and (4) get along with your colleagues. (Really. I know someone who didn't get tenure--at two places--because of #4...)

Just because someone is young does not mean they have what it takes to stay.

I will do all I can to get a career in academia...but, having experienced a lot of life, I also know that I can be happy no matter what happens to me. I'm gonna enjoy the ride.

[socialcomm]

I will do all I can to get a career in academia...but, having experienced a lot of life, I also know that I can be happy no matter what happens to me. I'm gonna enjoy the ride.

I really like your philosophy on this.

[figuringitout80]

I didn't realize that I had touched on a topic which seems to elicit so much discussion. I really enjoy this additional thread.

I will do all I can to get a career in academia...but, having experienced a lot of life, I also know that I can be happy no matter what happens to me. I'm gonna enjoy the ride.

I really like this attitude as well.

[a fragrant plant]

I didn't realize that I had touched on a topic which seems to elicit so much discussion. I really enjoy this additional thread.

I really like this attitude as well.

well said. thank you!

if i'm admitted for 2010 i'll be 33, 34 when i graduate. too old? i don't think so.

[JerryLandis]

Recently a man in his late eighties completed his doctorate at my university. Not sure what he intended to do with it, though.

[figuringitout80]

well said. thank you!

if i'm admitted for 2010 i'll be 33, 34 when i graduate. too old? i don't think so.

That's about the age I'll be.

Edited October 25, 2009 by figuringitout80

[Jennszoo]

I'm 36 and applying for next year, so I'll be 37 when I start. With 3 kids. I dont know what I am thinking. By the time I finish, I will be 40 and starting a new career (as a Speech/Lang Pathologist). I can only hope my life experience will benefit my application and future job prospects. But I tell myself that old adage that I will be 40 in 3.5yrs whether I go to grad school or not.

I feel old.

[captiv8ed]

Well, if I get in this year, I will be 38. I also have 3 kids and a husband with at least one year of school left. And I am going for a PhD, so I will firmly in my 40s when I finish.

[UnlikelyGrad]

I'm 36 and applying for next year, so I'll be 37 when I start. With 3 kids. I dont know what I am thinking. By the time I finish, I will be 40 and starting a new career (as a Speech/Lang Pathologist). I can only hope my life experience will benefit my application and future job prospects. But I tell myself that old adage that I will be 40 in 3.5yrs whether I go to grad school or not.

I feel old.

Welcome to the "old" club, Jennszoo (and captiv8ed too, I see). I started at 37, and my age hasn't been a big hindrance so far. Now when I go to get a job...I dunno... (median time to finish my program is 4.5 yrs).

In the mean time I am having a blast in school. I figure that, if nothing else, I'll have fun for 4.5 years. (I'm also setting a good example for my kids as well.)

If no academic job opens up, I'll try to land a position at USGS or EPA or some place like that and have fun there. I love what I am doing!!

[pea-jay]

Welcome to the "old" club, Jennszoo (and captiv8ed too, I see).

Can I join that club? I'll be 36 when I start and will bringing my wife and two kids along for the journey (though they actually wanted to move to NYC more than I did). I do plan stopping at the master's degree and reentering the job market. If I do attempt a phd it will be when I am 45-50 and will be done part time so I can spend the last 10-20 working years as a non-tenured university instructor/professor and part time private consultant.

Edited October 30, 2009 by pea-jay