I feel anyone following my Goodreads reviews knows I am post-dissertation with my Ph.D. and currently looking for employment. I feel it would be news to some that I chose to pursue non-tenure-track employment. Upon reflection and journaling, I knew I did not want a tenure-track line in a college or university at the beginning of my second year in my Ph.D. program, yet I had a bit of difficulty admitting this to myself. I even found myself swayed a couple of times to the possibilities of joining the ranks of professors. This journey down the professorial rabbit hole was a small manifestation of what I know about myself: I want to help people succeed. And, because I have found value, because I have found a space for my voice, through education, I promote the value of education for those I am supporting in their work toward success. My trips down the professorial rabbit hole always ended abruptly with the realization there is very little space for helping people in a tenure-track role. Thus, in my job search I have applied to numerous college and university positions but at typically entry-level student services or student engagement levels. The difficulty I've encountered, however, is that I possibly appear too "overqualified" for these entry-level positions. In most instances I am not even considered, and I have a sneaking suspicion I've lost out on a truly rewarding beginning to a new career to someone holding a lesser degree. This suspicion is truly frustrating.

I wrote about my anger I feel towards the reality that I may have bought into (around $130,000 for my Ph.D., about $300,000 total) a pyramid scheme with little possibility of paying off here. I picked up this book because I am looking for similar lost souls. I am looking for some consolation that I am not the only one with a passion for a career outside the precarious, political, and too often needlessly vicious and cluelessly discriminatory tenure line. The book helped me find there are Ph.D.'s like me. I am not an anomaly or strange (despite what those with tenure lines may believe). The truth I find disheartening is that many of the volume's contributors are no longer regularly blogging and listed resources are no longer in operation supporting those pursuing the so-called alt-ac or post-ac life. What happened to them? I am guessing they found the life they sought, or some semblance of it, and have moved on from their passionate dedication to those with whom they once found solidarity. It's a pity, really. New Ph.D.'s are born every spring, and they continue to face a shrinking tenure-track market and existential reality checks.

Is there life after a Ph.D.? Hello, God, it's me, Christina. ( )