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Any Postdoc moms out there?

shannmshannm member
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months
Specifically biomedical postdocs.  I am coming to the end of my postdoc and am trying to figure out whether I will stick with academics or not; to apply for that independent funding or not, etc..  I want to be a great mom and a great scientist but I am not sure that it is worth all of the stress trying to give 100% to both.  Despite being convinced that my work would not suffer when I had a child, I can just not give the same amount of energy to the job anymore (in other words - no more late nights and 60 hour work weeks).  What are your plans and why?
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Re: Any Postdoc moms out there?

  • Michelle110Michelle110 member

    My SIL is a primatologist in Australia and is pg. I'm not sure what she's planning on doing with her career, but I know she's not going to let it go to waste since she's been in school since she was 5 (she's now 33). I am fairly certain she is going to try to find a university position somewhere in the world, and that is going to depend on where her DH finds a job (he's an anthropologist).

    Good luck! I wonder if you can teach part-time at the university level and do some research at the same time but not full-time with either? That way you can do it all.

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  • MrsSoapboxMrsSoapbox

    I am in a social science discipline so the fields are quite different but have decided to stay on the research-oriented academic career path even though some days I feel like I am getting C's in both research and parenting.

    That's a tough decision and I don't know what is the best for you but I'd encourage you to think about what it is you like best about your field.  If it's research, are private-sector jobs more amenable to the type of family life you want?  If you like teaching, would you consider pursuing more teaching-oriented academic jobs? 

    Good luck to you--I'm sorry there aren't any easy solutions!

     

     

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  • j&j1999j&j1999
    I am not a postdoc mom but I wanted to say it sounds quite impressive and whatever you decide to so you should be quite proud of yourself!  I think there is a lot to be said for people who have twin goals of career and family.
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  • PrincessBearPrincessBear
    Not a postdoc mom but I did finish my phd.  DH is a 3rd year assistant professor so I can speak to that side of things.  There is a lot to consider, mainly the state of funding right now.  It is AWFUL.  He's doing biomed sciences, has submitted 40+ grants in the last three years and gotten 2 small ones.  Hopefully under a democratic admin, this is going to change, but right now things are bad.  He's frustrated and it is starting to show.  He is able to still work 60 hour weeks (and I'm in law school and working 20+ hours a week, so he does at least half of the family stuff) and although loves what he does it is definately hard.  On the flip side, he has a lot of freedom that he loves.  He leaves many nights at 5 to get DD from dc.  Then he works after she does to bed.  On days dc is closed or she's sick, he takes her.  He doesn't have to count vacation days, fill in time sheets.  That stuff, and that part of academics make him a better dad.  It is doable.  The level of school is important.  Obviously it is harder at Harvard.  But you really have to love it.  That would be my main advice.  Make sure you love what you're doing.  B'c academic science is hard enough when during the times that you are in love with your job.  If I can offer any other advice, let me know.
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  • dannysgirl1023dannysgirl1023
    I am not a post-doc, but I am a resident in Emergency Medicine.  I just started my residency this year and I am realizing that it is hard to give 100% to both.  I love medicine. but I noticed that my priorties have changed since becoming a mom.  There are times that I work 80 hours a week, but I am constantly thinking about going home to my DH and DD.  I have 2.5 more years of residency and then I will have a "easier" schedule, however I feel that it is somewhat always going to be a struggle to be both a great mom and a great doctor.  That being said I am sure that my top priortiy will always be my family and a close second will be medicine.
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  • shannmshannm member
    PrincessBear - All great points.   And you are absolutely right about needing to love the work.  I think that maybe there is a reluctance to admit that I am no longer in love with it.  Like I would be giving up or failing.   Anyway, thanks for the advice - good to not be the only one!! 
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  • jhudyCHjhudyCH

    My SIL has a PhD in chemistry and went ?to work for the state right around when she got pregnant. ?I am not sure of all the specifics but she seems to enjoy her job and it is a 40-hour week.?

    She had worked for a research institute but lost funding.?

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  • PrincessBearPrincessBear
    You can give it up without giving up.  As important as it is for all to not hate going to work everyday, it is so much more important with a job that will never be 8-5, M-F.  DH was asleep by 9 tonight b'c he has a grant due Monday he just doesn't want to work on.  It is difficult.  But that being said, I had a prof in grad school who somehow found a magic balance.  She had two kids while an asst prof who managed to go home by 6, rarely work on weekends be a great mom.  I was always amazed.  Being a prof and a mom is possible and it is possible to do a great job at both.  But there a lot of other jobs out there that you can explore if you're not sure.  GL!!!
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