I left academia. Here's why.

Sometimes people ask me about why I got a PhD in philosophy — and, more often, why I left academia and ended up as a YouTuber. I thought I'd tell you that story. A few things we cover: my start as a philosophy student, my decision to transfer PhD programs, leaving academia, whether or not I regret my PhD, and how I'd advise future students of philosophy based on my experiences.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:08 - Getting started in philosophy
02:07 - My dream was to become a professor
04:15 - Factor
05:50 - Starting graduate school
09:14 - Transferring to a new program
10:30 - Academia is in crisis
12:56 - Getting a job as an academic
17:54 - Getting a job outside of academia
19:11 - The quick summary of why I left
19:26 - What I miss
21:56 - Making this YouTube channel
23:49 - Let's answer some questions
24:11 - Do I regret getting my PhD?
25:23 - Please don't go into debt for a PhD
26:41 - Advice for potential students
29:07 - Should you go to graduate school in philosophy?
29:39 - How do you leave academia?
32:04 - Wrapping up

[JoannaLovesHistoryBooks]

I'm adjunct faculty and it's exhausting and demoralizing. The worst part of the whole thing is I'm good at teaching. I've won awards for my teaching. Students tell me years after we've been in class together that I inspired them. And the university doesn't care. Because teaching isn't valued by the administration. Students will be pay the same amount of tuition regardless. I don't bring in grants. And that's what matters. It's exhausting. I can't pay my rent in teaching awards and kind words.

[TDub]

I was in a PhD program for mathematics, and the first day I was there the Dean of the department told us how incredibly difficult it will be to get a job as a professor when we are done. He said they get literally hundreds of applications whenever they have an opening for 1 tenure track position in the math department, and priority will go to someone with a robust record of publications. I saw a lot of older class mates who were finishing their programs struggle to find work in academia, other than adjunct roles or roles outside of academia. I got the masters degree and left for an industry job. One of the best decisions I've ever made.

[rona]

Jared you have 221k and counting subscribers and almost 10m views on your videos. That's 10 million times that people wanted to hear what you had to say, and 221k people that want to make sure they don't miss out your opinion and presentation of interesting material. That's a tremendous succuss by any measure, never consider yourself a failure. There are probably tenured professors all over this country, including the most prestigious schools, that wish they had the reach you have. Looking forward to more of your videos and would love to see some long form philosophy videos.

[treymedley]

I got a PhD in Philosophy of Religion from King's College London. It was (and is) a top program. I had multiple peer reviewed publications, even serving as an assistant editor for a Routledge philosophy handbook. I had a strong beat on a JRF (like a superstar postdoc) lined up at Oxford and was on track to finish my degree on time. Then... a family member got sick. I had to pause my PhD (put in an interruption of studies) in order to take care of and be with this family member through the end of their life (about a year and a half). I came back and finished the PhD, but that was it. I was now damaged goods. I was out of the academia loop. I adjuncted at a community college for a few years, and picked up part time teaching at some graduate schools as well. I was rated very highly as a teacher, but eventually, I just wasn't making enough money to support a family. I left, moving into another area of public service, where I have been incredibly happy. I grieved the loss of my academic life. I also felt like a failure. As I looked back on my choices, I do not regret a single one. I did everything right, but because of life I was kicked aside. I hate that this is how academia is (I was a *good* teacher and *great* researcher), but I don't regret my choices at all.

[PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for this video, Jared. Witnessing the corporatization of higher education in the United States -- along with the drastic increase in administrative positions and administrative pay -- has saddened me as an educator. I have heard administrators refer to students as customers, and I have heard students say things like, "I paid for this course, so why can't I have an A?" To me, the decline of higher education has much to do with the fact that profit has replaced learning as the primary reason for its existence. Prioritizing profit is the reason we have a horrifically exploitative system where adjuncts are barely surviving in the hope that they might be one of the lucky few to get a full-time position. Twenty years ago, I would have advised students interested in a career in higher education to go for it. Today, I would not.

[KnightOfFaith]

"Grieve for the life they weren't going to live." Perfectly encapsulates my college experience

[severine_aurelia]

My undergrad was in Latin and Ancient Greek language and literature, and I was admitted to a highly ranked PhD program to work with a specific scholar on Roman comedy, but at the last minute I decided not to go, for many of the same reasons you describe here. Classics departments are being shuttered left and right (or merged with philosophy or religion departments!), and I would have been signing up for a life of instability (with little control over where I would live) and relative financial precarity. I also dreaded the idea of ruining my love of Latin literature by entering into a dysfunctional relationship with academia.

That was about 15 years ago, and it has proven to be the right decision for me. Unfortunately, several of my old colleagues are now out of work, and many of them are burned out or disillusioned.

I still read and translate Latin, but I do it out of fascination and passion, not because I'm desperately racing to stay relevant or pump up my publication list. My career thus far has been varied (and weird!) and interesting, and I have had amazing experiences I never would have had in academia.

I have a feeling that you too will look back in 10 or 15 years and be glad you made the choice you did. Among other things, you're bringing philosophy to more people as a youtuber than you ever could as a professor at a university.

[elijahwise]

Long form philosophy videos by someone with a philosophy degree would be great

[AllegoryOfTheRave]

Hey man im 32, studied chemical engineering at a big 10 state school. Got a chance to take an ancient greek philosophy class and it changed my life. I love love LOVE Plato and would love to see more videos about some of your favorite dialogues. Keep up the good work.

[relativehero]

I want to see a video on the scam and racket of academic journals. Super interesting. This is one of my favorite channels right now and I’d love to see more long form philosophy content

[Lizard]

fascinating story for me who knows nothing about academia. I run a plant nursery and read books. Best wishes on continuing to do what you love.

[Dr.Johnreads]

You spoke things I have felt and thought so much. I did my PhD in English Literature and grieved when it became apparent that an academic career would never materialise. I also miss conferences and research, and just having conversations with fellow researchers. I have just decided to start my own YouTube channel, which I how I found yours. Thank you for voicing what I have experienced. It’s the first time I have heard anyone else’s experience. Keep up the great work, love your channel!

[maritimegardening]

I took a very similar path man. I was particularly touched by the part where you talk about grieving for the life you're not going to live, and not having people around to talk to about the things that interest you intellectually. Great video, and thank you for sharing.

[philarete]

Great video, Jared. I left philosophy in 1997 for much the same reasons you left, though I had the additional consideration that my dissertation was going nowhere. And twenty-seven years down the road, I still miss the things you miss: the seminars, the symposia, and just the community of people engaged with ideas.

[TheRedWaltz]

I backed out of academia when I was working on my Ph.D. dissertation in philosophy, and, yes, I definitely went through that grieving period, and still go through it at times, about the life I wouldn't be able to live. However, I backed out because I met my wife and started having a family, and I just couldn't dedicate the time needed to do the research and hold down a full-time job to support my family, so I do not consider that a bad thing. I got into philosophy in undergrad (I changed from a business major) because I loved it and I loved seeking the truth; philosophy changed my life and my world view. Even outside of institutionalized sophism, I am still able to read, discuss, and seek out the truth, as my humanity was not revoked with my enrollment in my program. Even if my day-to-day job is not at a college every day I continue to live a life of a philosopher and seek to understand myself in/and the world. Whether I have a Ph.D. or not, the joy I get from having meaningful conversations with others is not lessened or magnified by it, only my opportunities to be put in those situations to have those conversations.

[chadm]

I got my undergraduate degree in Philosophy and I'm now the head of cyber security architecture for one of the top 15 financial institutions in North America. I am 100% positive that my degree directly contributed to my entry into Cyber Security in addition to the successes I've had throughout my career. While it may not be obvious, what I learned in pursuit of degree (topics like logic, argumentation, and ethical reasoning) have served me extremely well over the decades. I would certainly be an advocate for the notion that a degree in philosophy can be rewarding outside the world of academia.

[JayAdjoKay]

Very relatable. I have a PhD in anthropology and was enrolled in a prestigious programme in Europe. The state of universities over here is similar to the US. Just instead of being forced to move to a different city, we're forced to move to different countries in the Post-Doc treadmill. I'm glad you found something that fulfills your intellectual muscle. I also left academia about 2 years ago and am still going through the grieving stages, but happy about the decision.

[chrisgoeswest]

I bailed 30 years ago when some of the trends you discuss were already underway. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Nice to hear the issues explored by someone vastly more articulate than I am. Cheers!

[joffrethegiant]

My father, with a doctorate in civil engineering from a prestigious university and a post-doc in marketing (!) went into the private sector in the late 90s. He published far more, at an astounding rate, after he left academia. His prestige became such that he was able to pick his own academic job a few years later.

I'm a huge fan of alternative/parallel academies. Glad I found your channel.

[ИгорьСоколов-ху]

Thanks for the honest video!

It really resonates with my personal experience of getting a PhD

I wish you all the best!