Problems Associated With Being Overworked
Lack of a work-life balance has permeated into the field of higher education. It is not uncommon for a professor or an adjunct faculty to stay for hours into the evening grading papers and doing research, as most careers in higher education typically require it.
But just like any other career, there are problems that come with a lack of a work life balance. They include a decline in physical or mental health, work burnout, overeating and heart disease. In other cases this leads to a steady decline in social relationships which lead to depression due to social isolation. Fortunately, there are solutions to the issue of overwork in academia.
There are ways that such problems can either be avoided or minimized in their intensity. One can be to continue working as a full-time professor while creating harmony in other aspects of your life. This would involve working your hours while avoiding work burnout. Another would be to consider going to part-time, or adjunct faculty.
Challenging the Status Quo of Work
We need to examine the current status quo on work in general. One of the key ideas involves the amount of hours spent in any average workplace, including academia. One good model to adopt would be a “less is more” method. This would include challenging yourself to limit your hours for better workplace success. This applies to careers in higher education.
The following are common myths we hold regarding work life in higher education that need further exploration:
- Part-time means you’re not committed to your career.
- If you work part-time, you lack motivation.
- Those who are part-time never intend to go full-time.
- If an employer allows one person a choice to work part-time, then everyone else will want the same thing.
Each Myth Explained
The first myth that a part-time professor lacks commitment is not always true, and there are many reasons for this. One is that those who work part-time enjoy the freedom of having more time off and are more likely to remain in their chosen careers because of it. In a sense, they benefit the workplace because of being part-time. Adequate rest and a life outside of work allow room for better quality work getting done.
The second myth states that those who choose part-time work lack motivation. But new research shows that those who work part-time actually perform far better on the job than those who work a lot of hours.That is a fine example of how less can mean more when balancing work and life.
The third myth states that those who work part-time will never want to move into full-time work. But the first possibility to bear in mind when debunking the third myth is that some who are part-time may be new to their field, may have another job, or may be approaching retirement. In any case, part-time employment is not as uncommon as it used to be.
The fourth myth is another one that can be debunked. Not everyone wants what one employee requests all the time. In fact, recent research shows that in the case of women, only 31% show an interest in part-time careers. Their reasons for going full-time may vary anywhere from finances to the love of working in higher education.
Conclusion
A good equilibrium between work and life can be achieved either way. Whether you decide to work full-time or part-time is up to you. The secret is to know your limitations and work within them. And if that means being an adjunct faculty member, then that is something to strive for.
If you’re ready to learn how to advance yourself in today’s higher education environment, then schedule a call with me today.