Navigating dual academic careers is an intricate journey, filled with opportunities and challenges that require intentionality, shared vision, and adaptability. At the heart of it all is the question: What do we want out of this journey together?
1. Start with a Shared Academic Purpose Statement
Inspired by Carl Richards’ work on purpose-driven decision-making, begin by crafting an academic purpose statement together. This is your North Star—a guiding principle for every decision you’ll make as a couple.
Here’s how to get started:
- Reflect Together: Set aside time to discuss your values, dreams, and long-term aspirations. Questions like, What excites us about our fields? What impact do we hope to leave? can help you align your visions.
- Keep It Simple: Your statement doesn’t have to be elaborate. For example, "Our shared academic purpose is to create meaningful contributions to our fields while supporting each other’s growth and building a fulfilling life together."
- Let It Guide You: Use this statement to evaluate job opportunities, professional collaborations, and even big life decisions. When you feel stuck, return to your purpose to refocus on what truly matters.
2. Stay Flexible and Ready for Opportunity
Academia thrives on surprises. Some of the best opportunities sneak up on you, so staying prepared and flexible is key. This is my advice—tried and true:
- Keep Your Vitae Updated: Think of your CV as a living document. Every grant, committee role, publication, or conference appearance deserves a spot. When the right opportunity comes, you’ll be ready.
- Practice Your Interview Skills: Even if you’re not actively looking for a new role, applying for positions is valuable. Interviews are great practice, helping you stay sharp and confident. Plus, every application teaches you something new about how institutions evaluate candidates.
- Decisions Come After Offers: Here’s a principle to live by: There’s no decision to make until there’s an offer on the table. Applying doesn’t commit you to anything—it just keeps your options open. Let the opportunities come, then decide.
3. Aligning Career Goals and Aspirations
Having a shared academic purpose doesn’t mean setting rigid plans. Flexibility within your framework is essential:
- Revisit Your Goals: Periodically discuss both individual and shared aspirations. How are they evolving? Does one partner need more support this year? Can the other lean into family or teaching commitments to create balance?
- Pivot Gracefully: Challenges like a failed grant or a rejected proposal are part of the process. With a shared vision, these setbacks become pivots—not dead ends.
4. Advocating for Each Other
Academia can be isolating, but you and your partner have the advantage of being a built-in support system. Use that strength:
- Champion Each Other: Highlight your partner’s work when networking or in conversations with colleagues. This strengthens both of your professional reputations.
- Collaborate Where Possible: Even if you’re in different fields, consider interdisciplinary projects. If collaboration isn’t feasible, simply being a sounding board can make all the difference.
5. Embrace Geographic and Institutional Flexibility
The reality of dual-career academic paths often involves sacrifices and creative problem-solving.
- Explore Multi-Campus Systems: Some university systems offer dual-career options within their network. Investigate whether nearby campuses could work for both of you.
- Consider the Non-Traditional: Sometimes, one partner may take an adjunct role, a postdoc, or even step outside academia temporarily to keep the long-term vision intact.
Conclusion: Purpose Meets Flexibility
Thriving in dual academic careers means balancing intentionality with adaptability. With a shared academic purpose as your guiding light and a commitment to staying prepared, you’ll navigate the challenges of academia as a team.
Let your purpose inspire every decision—and keep the doors open for the opportunities that align with the life you’re building together.
References
- Richards, Carl. The One-Page Financial Plan. Insights on purpose-driven decision-making inspired this process.