Alive After Academia: Post-Career Reflections of Social Work Educators
Spencer J. Zeiger
Abstract
Social work educators have lived through unique experiences and possess knowledge of lifespan development, which may enable them to navigate the vicissitudes of aging and envision a rich life beyond the traditional limits of a career. This book explores what becomes of these professionals after they depart from the academy and what trials, tribulations, and adventures await them. What can today’s social work educators learn from veterans who are either approaching or have transitioned to life after academia? Grounded in 39 in-depth interviews, study participants tell engaging and inspirational ... More
Social work educators have lived through unique experiences and possess knowledge of lifespan development, which may enable them to navigate the vicissitudes of aging and envision a rich life beyond the traditional limits of a career. This book explores what becomes of these professionals after they depart from the academy and what trials, tribulations, and adventures await them. What can today’s social work educators learn from veterans who are either approaching or have transitioned to life after academia? Grounded in 39 in-depth interviews, study participants tell engaging and inspirational stories—stories that will benefit social work educators and academicians from other disciplines who are poised to embrace life beyond the academy and who wish to critically evaluate their life’s work. The term The Next Chapter is introduced as a positive alternative to the traditional moniker “retirement.” Fruits of The Next Chapter include post-academic freedom, new (and renewed) life appreciations, and an opportunity to integrate components of one’s life. This book provides a valuable guide that enables social work educators to determine the optimal time to depart from academia and advance to the next chapter of life.
Keywords:
careers,
social work educators,
retirement,
academia,
post-academic life
Bibliographic Information
| Print publication date: 2019 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780190068189 |
| Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: July 2019 |
DOI:10.1093/oso/9780190068189.001.0001 |
