My family and loved ones are my priority
Given my research expertise in comparative environmental policy (with a focus on North America), a lot of academic folks have asked me why I didn’t choose to take the usual, post-PhD tenure-stream academic route. Today, a former colleague of mine (who hasn’t finished her PhD yet) asked me the same question, and it’s been coming up lately in conversations, for one reason or another.
Let me share a story with you, that I don’t think I have even shared with my Mom yet (but I will, as soon as I post this entry). One time, my eldest brother (who is one of the world’s most renowned heat transfer modeling experts) asked me what my priority was, professionally. Without a hesitation, I answered “my Mom”. My brother was shocked. How could I prioritize my Mom’s wellbeing over my own professional future?
And the truth is – my Mom would NEVER let me prioritize her well being over my academic career. My Mom is an academic herself (and a pretty renowned one – she is a political scientist who does research on intergovernmental relations in Mexico, and the different models of governance for federal governments, municipalities and states). Two of my brothers are also faculty members at foreign universities. But the choices I have made have all been consistent with prioritizing my personal life and my own well being and that of my loved ones, before any job. Sure, I want to be successful, and sure, my family and friends want me to be successful. But quality of life is too important for me, and seriously, right now I have the kind of academic career I want.
I teach at the university level, I do rigorous academic research, I consult and on top of that, I keep a balanced personal life, with exercise, time for myself and time for my loved ones. And if I had to give up something to focus more on my family and on my personal life, it would be, in order – social media, more academic work, more consulting work. And the last two things I’d give up are consulting and teaching.
Social media is NOT my priority. Having a tenure-track academic position is NOT my priority. Gaining accolades and being tremendously successful in my professional life is NOT my priority. Being loved, being healthy and having my loved ones close IS my priority. And that doesn’t mean that I don’t work super hard to be a successful educator, researcher, consultant and social media practitioner. What it means is that, when everything is said and done, all I will have to account for me is my own happiness, my own health and the well being and love of my loved ones.
THAT is my priority.
Related posts:
- My passion for loving, and being loved
- Happy 4th of July to my American friends and family!
- Reaffirming a family bond
- Friends are the family we choose
- Mourning the loss of a loved one
oh raul, i just love you so much. what a beautiful post. you are such a role model. i hope all your students and clients read this and learn from it.
You are such a good man… your mother must be so proud!
I only started reading your blog a few weeks. I don’t know you, but from reading your posts, you really are such an amazing person. I am so impressed. You have found the balance to your life, and that is great.