STEM Academia: The Game – A Simple Explanation
The journey through STEM academia can feel like playing a tough game. The funny drawing called "STEM ACADEMIA: THE GAME" shows this journey in a simple way. Here’s what it means in easy-to-understand language.
Starting with a PhD
The first step is getting a PhD, which takes 4 to 8 years. This is when you do a lot of studying and research to learn everything about your subject.
Moving to Postdoc
After the PhD, you do a postdoc, which is another research job that lasts 1 to 3 years. But often, you might have to do this kind of job 2 to 5 times before moving on. It’s like being stuck in a temporary job for a long time.
Aiming for Tenure Track
The big goal is to get a tenure-track job, which is a stable and long-term position at a university. It’s like winning the game because it means you’ve made it in academia.
The "Oh No" Moments
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and you might have to leave the academic path. The drawing shows this with "OH NO" arrows pointing away from the postdoc stage.
Moving to the Private Sector
If you leave academia, you might go to the private sector (working for a company). The drawing says this means you "LOSE," but it also says you can earn three times the salary there. So, even though it might feel like losing, it can actually be a big win financially.
