I think one major difference between academia and non-academia is job security. With short-term (1-3yr) contracts being the norm and an increasing trend for part-time posts (e.g. Nottingham University in the UK recently advertising five 1 yr posts, each at 20% full time), the concept of a 'career' in academia is becoming laughable. Still, as academics often say, "we don't do it for the money" - maybe that's our problem. ______________________________________________________ Dr Nick Malone www.nicmalone.com ______________________________________________________
On 18 Oct 2006, at 18:07, Malcolm McCallum wrote: > 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. =20 > =20 > 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. =20 > =20 > This is a good discussion topic for this listserv! > =20 > VISIT HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY www.herpconbio.org = > <http://www.herpconbio.org>=20 > A New Journal Published in Partnership with Partners in Amphibian > and = > Reptile Conservation > and the World Congress of Herpetology. > =20 > 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 > =20 > > ________________________________ > > 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=3D > cons of academic versus non-academic jobs in ecology/environmental = > science=3D > ? I am also interested in sources that compare how the two castes > view = > one=3D > another. I am aware of the career articles on the ESA website, so = > please =3D > 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=3D3Dweather&FORM=3D3DWLMTAG=3D
