The non-consumptive effects of academia

By April Martinig

From the start of my academic journey, I have found myself at a crossroads. Research is supposed to be all consuming, and it is, if you let it be. My problem, or rather, the problem I am told by others to have, is that it is not my only passion. 

I didn't quite grasp that this was an issue until a specific Wednesday during my PhD. Several hours into a lab meeting, I had to leave “early” to go to my varsity wrestling practice. I delayed going for as long as I could, but finally at 5 pm, already late, I had to go otherwise I would miss practice entirely. A lab-mate turned to me and very loudly said to the room how inappropriate it was that I was not prioritizing my graduate studies over all else. I still left the meeting, but their remark highlighted a sentiment[1] we don’t discourage often enough…

My lifestyle is not entirely different from pursuing a work-life balance; something many of us know, regardless of vocation, is already hard to maintain. Unlike what we might think of when hearing the latter, juggling two passions, fully and completely, means having very little time for life outside of them. But, without wrestling, I wouldn't be able to conduct research and without research, I wouldn't be the wrestler and coach I am today.

However, this dichotomy poses a fundamental issue as I pursue success in academia. As I continue to move up the academic ladder, the duality within me (i.e., being wildly passionate about something else in addition to research) does not seem to exist in “successful” academics. To be successful - to make it in the field - I find myself confronted with examples of researchers that work long hours and make sacrifices I deem too costly. This culture, which seems to continue to be glorified and perpetuated, is an example I won't buy into.

We shouldn't have to fight for space to be a balanced human. I can be a good academic and not make academia my whole life.

The crossroad is where I meet my passions, rather than follow them.
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​[1] As the old adage goes: one that chases two rabbits ends up with none.
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