looming tenure denial, part 2

[Hibush]

My sympathies also about the circumstances that have led to the sad situation.

I agree with Sea Ice that this is a time when the philospher Thomas Wild has the best counsel. There's time enough for action, but that time isn't now.
You are being reasonable.

[poiuy]

Hi Brego,

My sincerest sympathies for all that you are going through. It's too much and academia can often be a dreadful place.

I echo all who are saying: please focus on your own wellbeing first and foremost. Go slow and easy. One small positive thing each day - talk to a friend, a walk in good weather, admire the sunset, a comedy episode. This is not hokey, you are retraining your brain out of a negative loop, and I say this as a person naturally predisposed to depression and gloom. I have to keep practicing what I preach.

In the bigger picture, it's great to get out of the professoriate. You *do* have skills - research, analysis, writing, communication, persuasion. I don't know your field or what you like to do, but there may be options in High School education, or any entry level higher ed administration, or in a local nonprofit related to your area?
I don't know your specific research expertise, but I know there is a large lack of people with IRB skills to fill positions at all levels of that structure in multiple institutions. These positions don't need high level scientific research skills, but a general knowledge base and orientation to the ethics and what is required in an institution. Is it possible to spend your remaining time in your institution getting experience or certification in some such key area that you can leverage for a job search?

You are a valuable person. Please don't despair. Do lean heavily on your networks - you would do the same for them.

I wish you the very best. Please do keep sharing here to the extent that you feel comfortable. We are all cheering you on.

[Puget]

My sympathies as well. Keep talking to us here, and I hope you can get some psychological support - max out whatever therapy benefits your health insurance has while you still have it, use any free tele-counseling sessions from your employee assistance program, call the 988 crisis hotline if you need it.

I'd second poiuy's tip regarding considering entry level university admin positions, including not just the IRB, but also department and division admins, student affairs/grad affairs, admissions, grants office, etc.

We are constantly hiring for such positions (even when there are budget cuts) because there is a lot of turnover as people move up and out of them. They may not pay that well, but they have manageable 9-5 schedules and benefits, and folks who prove at all competent in them plus easy to work with can pretty quickly move up to more senior and higher paid positions.

PhDs from under-employed fields are not at all unusual in these positions, and many end up adjuncting a few courses on the side to keep their hand in their field and supplement their salary.

If you can quickly learn new things, are organized, have good written and oral communication skills, can find and interpret relevant information well and efficiently, can solve problems independently but incorporating feedback, and have basic office software skills, you are qualified. These are all transferable skills from being faculty in any field.