Faculty To Grad Students: Go Work 80-Hour Weeks!

New submitter Ian Paul Freeley writes "Controversy has erupted after a departmental email from faculty to astrophysics graduate students was leaked. Key tips for success in grad school include: 'However, if you informally canvass the faculty (those people for whose jobs you came here to train), most will tell you that they worked 80-100 hours/week in graduate school. No one told us to work those hours, but we enjoyed what we were doing enough to want to do so...If you find yourself thinking about astronomy and wanting to work on your research most of your waking hours, then academic research may in fact be the best career choice for you.' Reactions from astronomy blogs has ranged from disappointment to concern for the mental health of the students. It also seems that such a culture, coupled with the poor job prospects for academics, is continuing to drive talent away from the field. This has been recognized as a problem for over 15 years in the astronomy community, but little seems to have changed. Any tips for those of us looking to instigate culture change and promote healthy work-life balance?"

truth sucks

[alphatel]

Astronomy students don't want reality checks, Romney doesn't want healthcare, and muslims get mad when you draw cartoons of Allah.
What's next, children don't want Santa?

Re:High Skilled Professions put in more hours

[operagost]

We do it because we enjoy the work, the pay is good, and our employers give us time off when we want it.

One out of three ain't bad.

Re:Take a tip from the MDs

[Anonymous Coward]

This sounds shockingly similar to the (possibly still-ongoing, I'm not sure) controversy over 36-hour shifts for doctors. The only real justification is "We did it when we were young, so today's young'uns should do it too! Never mind what the data says!"

Fortunately, black holes can't sue for malpractice.

Re:time to get a job on wall street

[Hatta]

I hate to break it to you, but the eventual application of your research (if any) will primarily help rich people make even more money.

What the faculty really want to say...

[allanw]

This is a well written and funny letter: http://hardass-6owwz.posterous.com/listen-up-you-whiny-bitches [posterous.com]

Re:Take a tip from the MDs

[Thud457]

yeah, come back and tell me you feel the same way after some sleep-deprived grad student overlooks a rogue asteroid that flattens your state.

Re:Med School

[jd2112]

I do! That means I'm not being treated by a resident that hasn't slept in 72 hours.

I Have An Answer!

[Jane Q. Public]

To improve work / life balance, just do all your astronomy during regular business hours.