23
The situation is difficult so the solution may also be difficult. I can offer only a few suggestions.
If you are just four years past finishing your doctorate it isn't too late to re-connect with your previous professors, and maybe your advisor. If you wait much longer it will be, however. The best way is to visit your old institution in person and spend a ...
11
Can someone please help me in right direction of finding an academic or non-academic job? Minimum salary will be acceptable.
If you really are just looking for anything at all to bring in a little bit of money to get back on your feet, I'd suggest looking for work as a tutor. You don't even necessarily need to apply for this job. In many cities I've seen ...
11
You mention that you are German citizen. A few thoughts that are rather specific to Germany (assuming that is where you are as well):
In Germany, Arbeitszeugnisse are [still] more usual than letters of recommendation, even though for academic positions letters of recommendation will be accepted in lieu. The Arbeitszeugnis is a letter by the employer ...
7
I can't judge whether the advisor is making a correct evaluation and being a jerk about it, or just being a jerk.
But, at a minimum, you need a different advisor. It should be someone who has some faith in you and encourages your best work. Staying where you are, under this advisor, is unlikely to result in success.
But you have to evaluate your own ...
3
What I wrote is strongly worded but I feel like it gives a fair assessment of what my problem was.
I would reconsider the strongly-worded part. Giving a fair assessment is good, but people rarely react well to sharp criticism, and this can burn bridges. My advice is to state facts, not conclusions. For example, rather than saying that you were "discouraged ...
2
I agree with the other answers that you should ask old professors. I was in your situation after a break of five years, and while I felt awkward approaching people I hadn't seen in so long asking for a favor, the particular professor I asked actually did remember me and was happy to help.
I'll reiterative the general advice I was given (by a current friend ...
2
There are a lot of reasons for such inaccuracies. Copy and paste is one. Inattention is another. But none of them that I can think of are your fault, and none seem to be attempts at sabotage.
As such, I would ignore the issue, especially in written documents in which you have more important and positive things to write. If you are asked about them, your ...
2
Firstly, on behalf of university academics, I'm very sorry you are being subjected to that kind of talk about your performance. What you are describing is not constructive criticism, and it is not a good way to give feedback to a student (even if their work is actually terrible). It sounds like your advisor is acting out of frustration, and has lost the ...
2
Search for non-academic jobs using your local jobs portal. Why non-academic? Because these jobs are much less likely to ask for recommendation letters.
Polish your resume. Make sure to write it so it's understandable by a non-academic. Get help if you need to, either from Google, or from your alma mater's career services center (if they have one).
Go to ...
1
Strive for some balance in your letters. At a State U. teaching, even of undergraduates, is pretty important. So don't focus it too heavily toward research. But if one or more of your faculty writers can say a bit about teaching, then a research associate should work fine. Especially since five letters are needed instead of the usual three (say).
But it ...
1
Since you're searching for jobs around the world, I'll add specifics for the US. This may be similar to other countries, but no guarantees.
Many school districts in the USA will accept a Masters degree in lieu of a teacher's certificate, and a private school isn't required to have teachers with a teaching cert.
Although private schools are not required ...
1
PhD.-Application; How to deal with reference-letter requests when being out of academia for 2 years?
I suggest asking your old writers or others at the institution for new letters. Treat it as a chance to catch up with old professors which is a good thing to do for any prospective academic.
The old letters have less relevance and new ones, while still dealing mostly with what you were like two years ago can give some assurance that you've been active in ...
1
This is not right! I don't see any underlying support in the advisor's attitude. Don't be afraid to take whatever action necessary to get yourself into a situation where your personal skills are given the opportunity to develop. It's your life and it's short. You can excel when you find the right way for yourself. Have some courage to not fit into anyone ...
Only top voted, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible
