Reader query on academic job-market competitiveness after an alt-ac job

In response to our most recent "how we can we help you?" post, Nate asks:

I have a question about alt-ac jobs. I'm not sure at this point that I want to leave academia, but I've come across a non-academic job opportunity that I think could be both enjoyable and rewarding for me. This year was my first year post-ph.d. on the academic market. I didn't land a position, but I had seven interviews (which I'm given to understand is pretty good in this climate). I've got an above-average publication record, and I'm somewhat confident that I can land a TT job in the next few years.

So, my question is this: how difficult is it to return to academia after leaving? That is, if I pursue this other opportunity will I be a viable candidate for academic positions if I decide after a few years that I want to go on the academic market, or is leaving academia for even a short time a death knell for one's academic career?

I'm curious what readers think--particularly those in a position of experience (i.e. both search committee members, as well as individuals who went back on the job-market after taking an alt-ac job). I'm inclined to think that time out of academic is a "death knell" depends in part on what you do with that time. If you spend time in an alt-ac job but find a way to publish in good journals, then I don't see any reason why search committees wouldn't at least take your candidacy seriously. Still, I have three concerns.

The first concern is that it may be very hard to find the time or motivation to publish effectively while in an alt-ac job. Still, since I've known people who have accomplished this, it's not my most serious concern. A second, more serious concern I have is that time out of academic might make it more difficult to get a job at a teaching-oriented institution--as I think some of the best ways to be competitive for such jobs is to get more experience teaching. Finally, I cannot help but wonder whether time in an alt-ac job might hurt one's chances for research jobs, as competitiveness for jobs at research schools are plausibly at least in part a function of a candidate's perceived "prestige", and time in an alt-ac job might look to search committee members as not having the kind of "upward trajectory" they might be looking for in a candidate.

Still, this is mostly speculation on my part. What do you all think, particularly those in positions of experience?

Comments

[Amanda]

I have a friend who got a job at a teaching school this year after working in government for 6 years, FWIW. I also know of another person who left for 3 years and got a teaching job; maybe these are atypical cases. I suspect, though, that persons who apply from alt-ac jobs stand out, and that being different and having different experience might actually help rather than hurt. Again, I think the biggest obstacle is not getting stuck in inertia once you leave.

[Pendaran]

It all depends on how well you can relate the alt-ac job to philosophy. If you're helping program AI, and your philosophical research area is AI, then the alt-ac job isn't going to hurt you, probably. If you're a waiter at a restaurant though, that alt-ac job isn't going to help you, to say the least.

1. Ask yourself whether you can sell your alt-ac job to philosophy search committees.

2. Ask yourself whether you'll be able to publish while working at an alt-ac job.

3. Ask yourself whether adjuncting or the like wouldn't do more for your career in philosophy than an alt-ac job? Teaching experience is probably very important to teaching schools.

4. Ask yourself whether you're over confident in your ability to secure a TT academic job. Recent research posted on dailynous is that placement rates for males who work in core philosophy is 26% (if I remember correctly). http://dailynous.com/2017/06/21/area-specialization-gender-placement-close-look-data-guest-post-carolyn-dicey-jennings/

I suspect most of that 26% is placed the first year out from the PhD based on other data I've seen. So, I'd estimate that at this point your chance of securing a TT position is probably under 15%. Do your own research. Be realistic.