Hi Chris, This is a very thought-provoking question given that there is such a broad range of responsibilities and daily activities in both academic and non-academic jobs. One way to look at this question might be to consider the impact you want your efforts to have on this world or what you are hoping to accomplish. I am interested in conservation biology and I struggle constantly with how best I can guide my efforts to do something positive for the environment. I enjoy research just a bit more than teaching and was leaning toward pursuing only non-academic jobs. However, a conservation biologist, for whom I have great respect, reminded me of the impact I could have in sharing my great enthusiasm for conservation biology with 60 undergraduates every year. If I eventually pursue an academic job, I may make a bit of a personal sacrifice in spending more time teaching and less time doing research, but it was a good reminder that one needs to consider their personal goals in making such decisions. This is just an example, and not an implication that academics have a greater influence on conservation. I am suggesting that it might be worthwhile for you to think about your long-term personal goals, in addition to considerations of pay, reliable funding, publication freedom, time off, and other important aspects of these jobs. Best of luck.
Nancy Quoting Malcolm McCallum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > There "should" be little difference, both have responsibilities, > expectations, and requirements. An academic generally has more > liberties to speak freely in public, especially regarding their > discipline. Generally, the main difference, outside of academic > freedom, is whether or not you teach. Pay is generally higher > outside of academia, although govt employees are usually denied the > priveledge of doing outside consulting. > > I have worked in a not-for-profit aquarium and there is generally > little difference other than no teaching at the aquarium and higher > pay and better benefits in academia. My friends working in the > government have indicated similar perceptions about USGS and USFWS > positions. I do know the govt has more restrictions on publishing > because of policy issues, but I can't comment on that. Might ask > someone who has worked in both govt and academia to get that angle. > Obviously, if you are refering to the private sector, with profit > being a primary motive you may be asked to do things that do not > inhibit profit motives, but my general perception is that this is > not a common problem. > > This is a good discussion topic for this listserv! > > VISIT HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY www.herpconbio.org > <http://www.herpconbio.org> > A New Journal Published in Partnership with Partners in Amphibian > and Reptile Conservation > and the World Congress of Herpetology. > > Malcolm L. McCallum > Assistant Professor > Department of Biological Sciences > Texas A&M University Texarkana > 2600 Robison Rd. > Texarkana, TX 75501 > O: 1-903-223-3134 > H: 1-903-791-3843 > Homepage: https://www.eagle.tamut.edu/faculty/mmccallum/index.html > > > ________________________________ > > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of > Christopher Habeck > Sent: Tue 10/17/2006 8:35 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: academic vs. non-academic jobs > > > > Does anyone know of any sources or have any thoughts regarding the pros and= > cons of academic versus non-academic jobs in ecology/environmental science= > ? I am also interested in sources that compare how the two castes view one= > another. I am aware of the career articles on the ESA website, so please = > omit those sources when replying. Thanks.Chris Habeck > Graduate Student > UW-Madison > Zoology Department > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _________________________________________________________________ > Check the weather nationwide with MSN Search: Try it now! > http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=3Dweather&FORM=3DWLMTAG= >
