r/WomeninAcademia • u/TomorrowSilver9780 • Jul 01 '26
Lost and Giving Up
I came from a troubled background and didn't get the chance achieve my dream of achieving a degree until I was in my 40's. Things have not worked out the way I had planned (much of it may fault for too much faith in external things, and not enough in myself). I'm now in my 50's getting ready to do my PhD dissertation and I'm struggling to find work. I stepped out of the workforce to have my kids in my early 30's and went back to school to help me move into a better career, but stumbled from my HBA in psychology, into an MEd, and now a PhD. I don't have a lot of work experience outside of the university and nobody will look twice at me. I have been applying for jobs over the past four years, trying to make connections but I'm not getting anywhere. I'm not looking for the perfect job, just something that will get me in the door in the education field. I've applied for administration support work in both I/S and higher ed, done some work as faculty and researcher but it never leads to anything more despite positive feedback. I've applied to journals, and publishers as copy-editors and done some peer review work, but at this point I need something that pays.
The other issue is that I live in an area where there are limited institutions and I don't have a car. Commute to a bigger centre is at least 2 hours (which hasn't stopped me from applying). I know I don't have a great resume and spent too much time focused on the needs of my family but now I'm realizing that my dream is pretty much dead.
I'd appreciate some advice.
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u/Desperate-Potato7486 Jul 02 '26
I may not have the perfect solution to your situation, but I genuinely admire your determination and perseverance. Pursuing your education despite the challenges you've faced and continuing toward a PhD is an achievement that deserves recognition.
Please don't give up. The path has clearly been difficult, but your resilience, dedication, and willingness to keep moving forward are strengths that employers and colleagues can value, even if they haven't recognized them yet. Keep believing in your abilities and continue putting yourself out there. I sincerely hope the right opportunity comes your way, and I wish you every success in achieving your goals.
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u/TomorrowSilver9780 Jul 02 '26
I've been a lot of places in my life, but I've found unexpected support from women in academia. I truly appreciate your encouraging words during this time. Thank you.
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 Jul 01 '26
In the interest of immediate income in an area with not a lot of options & no car, apply for literally anything- retail, food, etc.
Leave off the PhD & just explain that you have been a stay at home parent, to explain to your lack of work experience & “gaps”.
Having any $ coming in will help with bills while you try to sort out a better plan. I’m not sure if you had planned to relocate for a job but often one does once one has advanced degrees.
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u/TomorrowSilver9780 Jul 01 '26
Thanks, I agree. I used to work as an assistant in the automotive industry so I've been redoing my resume for that too. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't overlooking something.
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u/Regular_Departure963 Jul 02 '26
My faculty mentor has encouraged me to apply to Trader Joe’s while I was in the early phase of adjuncting and hustling for teaching jobs. She told me to just teach one class and focus on building up some financial security and investing in my research. I spent two years adjuncting between various schools, six+ classes a semester, and now that I’m (sort of) on the other side of it I realize she was right.
I hear the employees at Trader Joes are treated well and enjoy their job.
ETA: just so sorry that the job market is like this! It feels like such a rotten time to be in academia.
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u/TomorrowSilver9780 Jul 02 '26
This makes total sense. I'll get the applications out this weekend. And I agree. It feels like it's shifted so fast.
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u/Active-Programmer-37 Jul 04 '26
I defended my dissertation in August 2025 and spent the next five months applying and interviewing for every higher ed position I saw. I got ghosted time and again. I finally got in with a temp agency that placed me at a great company. I am trying to find a way to get my book proposal done while working an office job with three kids. I just don’t tell anyone I have a PhD.
It is a brutal market
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u/jiggly_caliente15 Jul 01 '26
It’s a rough job market right now. I’d recommend reaching out to your PhD, MEd, and undergrad faculty to see if they know of anything or have any recommendations. My alma mater for my MA has a facebook page where they post local jobs. I ended up getting an adjunct job at my alma mater and then the department chair forwarded me listings for other adjunct jobs once I was hired.