Hi, all! I apologize in advance for any confusion that may arise from the questions surrounding my current situation. I also thank anyone & everyone who reads my post & ask you to please respond if you can contribute any source of information.
I am currently studying a double major in Sociology & Psychology with a minor in Society, Health & Medicine at Stony Brook University. I have been here for a number of years & am recently “going back” (though I am still a matriculated student - never graduated) to improve my GPA after a host of health complications sent my academic success partly out the window, so to speak. Anyway, after I take courses to improve my GPA I have plans of obtaining my MSW (Masters of Social Work for those unaware, which I will refer to as MSW from here on out) by applying to SBU and Columbia University. To continue, I am seeking to obtain my PhD in Social Work at either of these two aforementioned institutions, although I have other Universitys in mind (UNC Chapel Hill, U Penn, to name a few).
My ultimate goal is to become a Professor of Social Work. I have always valued, and quite enjoyed academia, especially once I got to higher education. I enjoy learning more than anything & have learned a career as a professor requires constant learning, which really motivates me. I hate “standing still” mentally & quite often feel compelled to abandon a task wherein I am not learning anything anymore - mundane tasks do not interest me, though I love a good tedious task. I have not personally engaged in any research thus far, due to my health complications but do feel (based on what i’ve read on paper) I would thoroughly enjoy its counterparts. I can EASILY & much PREFER to work solitary tasks, & I love a good challenge - that is, academic… Athletic, not so much!
I’m posting here because I frequently read horror stories about why NOT to become a professor, why is this? I want to read someone’s claim as to why one SHOULD become a professor, which i’m hoping someone reading this could provide for me?
I know one must pursue a PhD to obtain full professorship, which doesn’t bother or scare me off in the least - I’d stay in school forever if I could make a living off it. I’m your typical “professional student,” - which is why i’ve sought a career in academia partly. I love helping others & have a fondness for Sociology, Social Welfare, etc. which lead me to choose Social Work as a pursued field.
I also have somewhat of a more complicated issue regarding my current job. For the last almost six months I have been employed full-time by Stony Brook Medicine, which is a field I had quite an interest in working for. I am only a receptionist, which is hardly a career in my eyes, but I do love the position & it would be ideal to study while doing. However, I don’t know how to approach this conversation at all with my employer & fear they wont let me “step down” to part-time to pursue a higher degree. I don’t even know how educated this decision will seem to many, but my salary couldn’t support me even in the poorest of areas, and I obviously do not seek to put myself in that position. I have a supportive & loving family & feel I could afford to go back to school & work part-time in my current position.
Is it really not worth it to become a professor? I hate to even utter that question, but I feel as though that’s written in the stars sometimes by some who offer really bleak advice on the career. I have long sought out my “dream job” and really felt & still strongly feel that this was it, only to be discouraged now?
Either way, I want to obtain my PhD & attend an Ivy League institution as these have been life-long dreams of mine that I seek to purse regardless. Education is never, ever wasted. I know through improvement of my GPA regardless of how long it takes, I can achieve my dreams.