Alternative academia, or alt-ac as people fond of short phrases call it, is not new, but it is making it’s buzz around academia. There are whole essays devoted to defining “alt-ac”. In short, is where recent graduates, specifically with their Ph.Ds, go when they don’t take the traditional track that leads to being a tenured professor. Instead they might choose any number of things for any number of reasons.
So, why is it making a buzz among academia now when it’s not new?
I mean, lots of people have decided to go into industry, or a supporting role of lab technician, or even a master librarian. It’s been going on as long as Ph.D.s have been a thing to obtain for a higher rank in the world of knowledge accumulation. The buzz is partly because it’s not what is expected of a Ph.D. graduate. When you go into your Ph.D. programme you aren’t thinking about what comes after, but as things start dwindling down you start thinking about what comes next. It’s nearly unspoken that masters degree seekers go into industry, while the Ph.D. stays in the ivory tower to keep the cycle going.
But, some people don’t agree with that. It sounds like a great career trajectory when you get there: Get into your Ph.D. programme studying something you love, whip out a bunch of exciting new research, then go on to teach about your passions as you work your way through the levels of professorship, through to the untouchable — and unfireable — tenured professor. It’s been the goal and standard hope of many doe eyed youth since the inception of the tenure track in the early 1900s.
What’s not to love? Job stability, power, academic support, lots of kids to influence, and the an all access pass to the academic club. Granted, you still have to work for your dinner writing grants, teaching, grading, and doing research to get published, but if you made it that far, those are things you generally love any way so it’s no big deal.
Recent Ph.D. students are feeling differently about the tradition, though.
Our world is one where we are striving to find our own, personal balance. Going onto your Ph.D. doesn’t mean you have to dance the dance to prove yourself, especially as slots in academia are filling up quick. After all, there are only so many universities to go around, and most people are vying for careers in the best and brightest. The competition is fierce, and something you have to prepare for from day one of your academic studies in undergrad to get the upper hand on your competition. There’s just no other way that you’ll stand out among your peers to get a chance at those most coveted positions at the highest ranking institutions.
Now, the newest crop of Ph.D. students want more than job security in the academic playground. Reasons vary from wanting to do more in the public sphere to just wanting to do more research and less teaching. Maureen McCarthy, an English graduate choose to go for an alternative route because she wanted to control her geographical location — a common request from people that don’t just want to teach anywhere. Jessica Collier, however, just didn’t identify with being a professor, instead, she identified with being a writer.
It’s about you, the person. And not just one part of you, but all of you. It’s about work-life balance, family, passions, and choice. It’s not because the system demands it. It’s about finding where you belong, and making the most of it. It’s a cross between entrepreneurship, moulding your own life, and doing what moves you to get up in the morning. You can do anything from opening a research facility like I’m doing, write, teach, help others learn to communicate like my old classmate Mallie Toth, or any other number of things. The point is, you don’t have to be shoe-horned into the same old routine around out of date traditions if you don’t want to. And no one will judge you for getting your Ph.D., then turning around and saying, “I want to ____.”
Going alt-ac takes courage.
As anyone that has gone against the grain can attest, being untraditional takes courage, planning, and a bit of luck. Some people stumble into it with following a side passion into the new economy. Some work to mould their life to reflect their dreams. Others, still, seem to stumble into it by pure chance and fall in love with their new trajectory. It’s time to hear the stories of the alt-acs of the world and listen to their tales. It’s time to salute them for stepping off the beaten path to forge one of their own.
