Academic life

I just finished reading a very handy and practical little book entitled "What they didn't teach you in graduate school - 199 hints for success in your academic career" by Paul Gray and David E. Drew. the reason why I want to advise this book to you all out there at different stages in academic life, and also for those of you that don't have anything to do with it but were always curious how it works, is because even though it is small in size it is packed with inestimable tips in a user-friendly format. At this point of my life, still starting, an absolute beginner, I will won't probably be able to tell you about the validity of the hints offered, but at my level, that of the PhD. Candidate struggling to understand the idiosyncrasies in academia and the power struggles, I am grateful that such experienced authors took the time to lay it flat for me. It has its challenges, it is a field full of primadonas and in much need of a strong work ethic, probably today more than ever, but it is also inspiring and when I finished reading their book about it, I felt like I belong, and that's always a good feeling, right? Not a lot of solutions have been created structurally to develop higher education or any form education in this country in the last couple of years, with gruesome attacks on the value of a liberal arts education and the never ending budgetary cuts at all distinct levels. Academia is changing too due to all these constraints, but most likely like Profs. Gray and Drew anticipate, will remain somewhat the same for still many years to come. And it will be important for its professionals to figure out the rules of the game that are not written any where, but nonetheless govern its cyclic life. Therefore, I recommend this little big book to any one seeking to understand how does academia work like myself. what I liked the most was the fact that while giving practical and meaningful advice in a light-tone, they also reiterate the humanistic philosophy beyond this knowledge-driven world. For example, they reinforce the importance of mentorship at all stages of academic development, they cherish a shared culture of knowledge and education, excellence in teaching, giving back to your community and your students at different stages of life, and remaining ethical and courteous throughout the whole process. In addition, they are not afraid to be dead serious if it's an issue of such a nature like salary and professional performance and expectations, or your health and well being and how to balance personal and professional lives while on the tenure track. Even though the picture in often shy from a platonic view of academia, it is still compelling enough to inspire and to encourage those pursuing this lifestyle. Now, back to being a dissertator for "a good dissertation is a done dissertation," some one once told me in the same spirit. Gray, Paul and David E. Drew. What They Didn't Teach You in Graduate School - 199 Helpful Hints for Success in Your Academic Career. Stylus: Sterling, Virginia, 2008.