Now, I have to choose. I have to weigh the pros and the cons of each, the opportunity costs, time investment, all in an effort to determine and shape the future. This is Frost’s fork in the road. The well travelled path versus the less travelled path. The implications of my choice will shape my career and my life for decades to come. While both lead to employment and the realization of some dreams, they also impact the fulfillment of other dreams. An easy or lighthearted choice this is not.
Imagine a tree if you will. We’ll call this tree ISU as this is an easy way to describe this choice and it makes for a nice little visual:
If this is the tree that is chosen, there are many implications that go with the choice. The first of these implications is cost. Cost is an issue, both financial and mental. Financially speaking, the ISU tree, while solid in the roots, is weak the further you get away from it. What cannot be painted into the picture is a fundamental truth of Academia: brand new Ph.D.s (if fortunate enough to be hired on somewhere) are saddled with teaching exorbitant numbers of classes so that more senior Ph.D.s can focus on research or graduate classes. This leads to an interesting phenomenon where departments deny tenure to young faculty because there has been no real progress made towards tenure (interestingly enough, because the young faculty are doing all the teaching for the senior faculty) and thus, the young Ph.D. is now looking for a job because their contract will not be renewed. This is a gross generalization, but it is a documented occurrence.
Why is tenure so important, you ask? Simple: on average (in 2008 money) non-tenured faculty make, on average, $70,055 compared with tenured faculty salary averages of $95,199 (those averages are actually less than that if you are female). Tenure, in the academic world is a wonderful element when those being awarded tenure are deserving of it and do not abuse it. It is also a great thing when those awarding tenure award it to the deserving, not because of inter-office politics or university applied pressure, but because through their teaching and research efforts they consistently prove that they are a rare gem.
Let’s get back to trees. As we can also see, the opportunities for branching out with this tree are slightly limited which in actuality means that career choices are slightly limited. Costs that must also be considered are obvious, but significant: re-location, wardrobe, opportunity, vehicle maintenance, and out-of-state fees for a minimum of 1 year. These are all significant expenses, and the only one that really should be explained is the vehicle maintenance cost. While this will be a standard, it will increase slightly due to higher diesel prices in the northern Midwest, plus the addition of road salt to the equation as road salt is a nice corrosive agent. Another important element to consider is the state of the economy and the impact that it has had on funding for graduate students. Were I a smarter man and in something deemed “necessary” such as engineering, funding would not be a problem. As I am in history, there is only funding guaranteed for fall semester. Spring semester of 2010 is not guaranteed, nor is it guaranteed should there be enough in the budget to fund graduate students. This tree is, while desirable, does not lend itself to long-term opportunities or survival.
Let’s consider another tree. We’ll call this one AU, keeping with the theme.
Why is tenure so important, you ask? Simple: on average (in 2008 money) non-tenured faculty make, on average, $70,055 compared with tenured faculty salary averages of $95,199 (those averages are actually less than that if you are female). Tenure, in the academic world is a wonderful element when those being awarded tenure are deserving of it and do not abuse it. It is also a great thing when those awarding tenure award it to the deserving, not because of inter-office politics or university applied pressure, but because through their teaching and research efforts they consistently prove that they are a rare gem.
Let’s get back to trees. As we can also see, the opportunities for branching out with this tree are slightly limited which in actuality means that career choices are slightly limited. Costs that must also be considered are obvious, but significant: re-location, wardrobe, opportunity, vehicle maintenance, and out-of-state fees for a minimum of 1 year. These are all significant expenses, and the only one that really should be explained is the vehicle maintenance cost. While this will be a standard, it will increase slightly due to higher diesel prices in the northern Midwest, plus the addition of road salt to the equation as road salt is a nice corrosive agent. Another important element to consider is the state of the economy and the impact that it has had on funding for graduate students. Were I a smarter man and in something deemed “necessary” such as engineering, funding would not be a problem. As I am in history, there is only funding guaranteed for fall semester. Spring semester of 2010 is not guaranteed, nor is it guaranteed should there be enough in the budget to fund graduate students. This tree is, while desirable, does not lend itself to long-term opportunities or survival.
Let’s consider another tree. We’ll call this one AU, keeping with the theme.
As can be seen by this tree, it has a good root system, and wonderful opportunities for growth and development, personally and professionally. This tree also has greater opportunity gain rather than cost. Further, in-state fees are less, and there are no relocation costs, and the cost of diesel fuel is lower in the Southeast than Northern Midwest. Also, while there is no chance of funding with this particular tree, I am gainfully employed by an employer who is willing to keep me on and be flexible around my academic schedule.
The time cost with this tree as well as the ISU tree are approximately the same, so there isn’t much of a difference there in terms of time from beginning to ending of curriculum. This is a major plus in that we’ll be keeping things roughly on par in terms of time.
The opportunity cost of tree one (ISU) versus tree two(AU) is absolutely amazing. The potential benefits that come with tree two are incredible, financially speaking. Should I choose tree one, I would essentially be writing a check for an averaged minimum of $94,000 per year that I would not have the opportunity to earn. While this sounds like I am only going after the money, let us also consider that Ph.D.s in History, because we are in the Liberal Arts and are not deemed as being that “critical” don’t have that high of a starting salary to begin with. This will make re-paying student loans a longer and more time and money consuming affair. The potential yield of tree two, while not immediate, will make loan reparations easier and more manageable as time progresses.
If the decision was based solely on love of field and of topic, this would be an easy choice to make. Alas, there comes a time when one must realize that while love of a subject or dream is important, a pragmatic approach to life must also be taken, even if that means putting off accomplishing the dream or goal so that a solid living can be earned and the opportunity for employment is realized, thus enabling later pursuit of that goal or dream.
I very much want to go to Iowa State. The opportunities re-discovery and re-defining of self are priceless, and the opportunity to work with outstanding scholars is a rare find. I must also look at the larger picture and see that I need to have options and opportunity. These grant freedom and security. They also grant the opportunity to have a reasonable pay-check that can be put towards retirement and long-term care.
So, after careful thought and analysis, and no small measure of soul-searching, I have declined the offer of graduate study at Iowa State and will remain here at Auburn to pursue an Ed.D.
Notes:
The time cost with this tree as well as the ISU tree are approximately the same, so there isn’t much of a difference there in terms of time from beginning to ending of curriculum. This is a major plus in that we’ll be keeping things roughly on par in terms of time.
The opportunity cost of tree one (ISU) versus tree two(AU) is absolutely amazing. The potential benefits that come with tree two are incredible, financially speaking. Should I choose tree one, I would essentially be writing a check for an averaged minimum of $94,000 per year that I would not have the opportunity to earn. While this sounds like I am only going after the money, let us also consider that Ph.D.s in History, because we are in the Liberal Arts and are not deemed as being that “critical” don’t have that high of a starting salary to begin with. This will make re-paying student loans a longer and more time and money consuming affair. The potential yield of tree two, while not immediate, will make loan reparations easier and more manageable as time progresses.
If the decision was based solely on love of field and of topic, this would be an easy choice to make. Alas, there comes a time when one must realize that while love of a subject or dream is important, a pragmatic approach to life must also be taken, even if that means putting off accomplishing the dream or goal so that a solid living can be earned and the opportunity for employment is realized, thus enabling later pursuit of that goal or dream.
I very much want to go to Iowa State. The opportunities re-discovery and re-defining of self are priceless, and the opportunity to work with outstanding scholars is a rare find. I must also look at the larger picture and see that I need to have options and opportunity. These grant freedom and security. They also grant the opportunity to have a reasonable pay-check that can be put towards retirement and long-term care.
So, after careful thought and analysis, and no small measure of soul-searching, I have declined the offer of graduate study at Iowa State and will remain here at Auburn to pursue an Ed.D.
Notes:
Salary averages based on information from but not limited to: College and University Professional Association of Human Resources 2005 Survey; American Association of University Professors 2007 Survey.
Concept Trees: Theoretically, it is possible to click onthe trees to enlarge them for easier viewing. These are realistic hypotheticals used in evaluation and decision making.
Congratulations on your decision! I hope your continuing years at Auburn provide plenty of opportunity and success for you! :)
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