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Why academia’s broken system still seduces dreamers
Ali Hindi
May 24, 2025
I know someone who left a six-figure job in tech to pursue a PhD. Now they’re living on a stipend, juggling teaching with research, and hoping their academic path leads somewhere meaningful. I asked them why they made the switch. Their answer? “I wanted something more meaningful.”
It’s a story I’ve heard in different versions many times. People leave stability, decent salaries, and structured career paths for a world full of uncertainty.
The question is: why?
The problem everyone sees but still walks into
Job insecurity is the norm
Permanent academic roles are rare. Most people spend years on temporary contracts, unsure if they’ll ever land a stable position. Even postdocs and early-career lecturers often find themselves stuck in cycles of renewal and reapplication. The competition is intense, and the path is never guaranteed.
Pay is not what it should be
Many academics earn far less than their peers in industry. Some even leave high-paying jobs to start from scratch on a PhD stipend. The financial gap grows larger the longer you stay. Even full professors often make less than what experienced professionals earn outside academia.
Mental health takes a hit
The pressure to publish, secure grants, teach effectively, and meet ever-changing metrics creates an environment that wears people down. Add in departmental politics and constant self-doubt, and it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Burnout is common, yet many keep going.
What keeps pulling people in?
The power of prestige
Titles like “Doctor” or “Professor” carry social and professional weight. These roles signal expertise, intelligence, and respect. For many, that validation matters. It shapes how others see you, and how you see yourself.
The dream of intellectual freedom
Academia presents itself as a place where you can pursue ideas, challenge norms, and explore freely. In theory, you’re paid to think. But in practice, there are constraints. Grant deadlines, departmental targets, and pressure to publish often limit the freedom academics imagined they’d have. Still, people continue to believe in the promise.
Today, many PhD students and early-career researchers share their journeys through vlogs, blogs, and social media posts. These stories often highlight the excitement of discovery, the satisfaction of teaching, and the prestige of academic titles. The process can appear glamorous and inspiring, masking the daily struggles of funding insecurity, long hours, and emotional strain. This curated version of academic life shapes expectations and fuels the desire to join the ranks.
It feels like a calling
For some, academia is a vocation. The chance to teach, influence others, and contribute to knowledge feels meaningful in a way few other jobs can match. That sense of purpose often overrides practical concerns.
Why people struggle to leave even when they want to
The sunk cost is real
Years spent in PhD programs, research projects, and academic networks make it hard to walk away. People want to believe the sacrifice will pay off. Leaving feels like throwing away time, effort, and identity.
Corporate jobs feel like giving up
Many academics fear they’ll lose meaning or integrity if they leave for industry. Some see corporate work as shallow or commercial, compared to the mission-driven life they imagined in academia. Even when they are underpaid and overworked, they hesitate to switch paths.
So what keeps the dream alive?
Maybe it’s the belief that ideas matter. Maybe it’s the hope that teaching or writing can shape the world. Or maybe it’s the simple need to feel that our work has purpose.
These are human desires. They explain why people continue to enter a system they know is flawed.
A few questions for you
Have you ever considered going into academia?
What drew you to it?
Why do people still chase the academic dream even when the reality often disappoints?
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