The Quest for the Next Best Path: Growing Personal and Professional

Choosing the next best path in life isn't always an easy task, especially when it involves balancing personal belief systems and professional responsibilities. One such decision I am currently facing is whether to follow through with my long-held belief of supporting a SOLID Republican ticket or to focus on the promise of a fulfilling academic career.

However, for now, my current path is clear. I am super excited to focus on my upcoming academic adventure, all while reading three profound books:

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Striving for a Purposeful Career

My journey to becoming a teacher has been thoughtful and deliberate. Ever since the second year of graduate school, I've harbored an unyielding desire to become a professor. This aspiration, however, came with a mature understanding that I needed more experience and personal growth. In the meantime, working in corporate research and development (RD) was instrumental in honing my skills and offering the introspection needed to nurture my inner growth.

Skills Gained from Corporate Experience

Corporate RD provided me with invaluable experiences. Through collaborations and mentorship, I have developed key abilities such as effective collaboration, negotiation, and understanding diverse viewpoints. I further refined my ability to explain complex ideas to various levels of abstraction and detail, essential skills for a successful academic career.

The financial stability in industry allowed me to focus on my personal development through deep introspection and meditation. This period of introspection has been crucial in maturing, a necessary step for a teacher's role.

Structuring My Future Career

My academic journey in 2023 is meticulously planned. I aim to have no more than two PhD students at a time, ensuring that I can provide tailored, 1:1 attention. This mirrors the structure of my thesis advisor’s theory group. I prefer one-on-one interactions and believe that deep, focused commitment is more rewarding.

My vision for the courses I will teach includes both undergraduate and graduate levels. My research group philosophy aligns with the idea that one exceptional mind can often be more valuable than many very good ones. Therefore, my goal is to identify and nurture two exceptional students every three to four years.

Reflecting on the Importance of Experience

One significant insight I've gained is that many of the professors I admire the most spent 5-10 years in corporate RD before transitioning to academia. These professionals possess a profound understanding of the real world that is often missing in academics directly out of graduate school. This understanding has propelled me to take this route.

By taking the time to grow and learn, I am better positioned to contribute effectively as a professor. Teaching is, after all, a profound and rewarding endeavor that requires a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom.

My journey to becoming a teacher is a testament to the importance of personal and professional growth. While the road ahead is challenging, I am excited about the opportunities and contributions that lie ahead.