Reflections two years after thesis defence (I/II)

For the past few months I have not made any entries into this blog. This is due to private circumstances: my mother passed away after a very short period of illness in January, and during the spring I mostly focused on teaching. The little energy I had left for writing was directed elsewhere. After that, I have been occupied with writing up three projects that are currently in various stages of peer review, and hence I have not had much time or energy to write here. But perhaps this entry might be a new start.

This morning I was struck by one of the paradoxes of academic life: the level of education versus how it has shaped my career. I truly enjoy being part of academia, and I love teaching and writing. At the same time, permanent positions are limited, and many talented people are striving for them. This often leads to discussions about the challenges of the academic job market—something I both relate to and find thought-provoking.

Starting with the obvious: despite the challenges, academics are highly educated. I myself hold two master’s degrees (one full and one Swedish “one-year master” called fil. mag.), a doctorate with a thesis that was well received, and 18 months of postdoc studies. Still, it will probably take some time before I find a permanent position.

For some of my colleagues who have recently finished their PhDs, this situation can understandably be frustrating. I sometimes share that feeling myself and wonder when I might land a permanent role. On the other hand, none of my PhD friends are unemployed; all of them work in different settings, often within academia as teachers or researchers. From this perspective, temporary positions can also bring opportunities—such as working at different universities, gaining new perspectives on both teaching and research, and shaping one’s career across varied environments.

What I have been thinking about lately is this: it is natural to feel frustration and to talk about it. After all, that is part of how labour markets evolve. But perhaps we should also highlight the creative possibilities that come with these circumstances, and be clear with PhD students: the job market is competitive, but you are not alone, and more often than not things work out. Along the way you encounter new perspectives, people, and ideas that make a fluid career path both stimulating and rewarding.

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