I agree with everything that's been said. But even for academics that stayed for the long haul - just be aware you are just another (for profit or non profit) corporate employee & are subject to the whims of people in the C Suite, the higher ups in division/department, or the board of the faculty medical group. Don't get me wrong, I've had a very successful career in academia. But I lived by the mantra for the last 14-15. years that No One Is Indispensible - that goes for any career/job that you take. I made the most of my time in whatever role I established or was assigned to do be it fellowship PD, div chief, clinical trials head, etc. I was lucky to have a Dept chair who understood our needs & with evidence based negotiation gave me almost everything I wanted for my faculty including higher salaries c/w the rest of the country. Pay attention to who your direct bosses are - don't rely on titles. See/Ask how they work with & value people and if they advocate for their people - if they score low, don't waste any more time where you are at or applying for that job. Get mentors who are in tune with the times - you will need different mentors at different times of your career.
I agree with everything that's been said. But even for academics that stayed for the long haul - just be aware you are just another (for profit or non profit) corporate employee & are subject to the whims of people in the C Suite, the higher ups in division/department, or the board of the faculty medical group. Don't get me wrong, I've had a very successful career in academia. But I lived by the mantra for the last 14-15. years that No One Is Indispensible - that goes for any career/job that you take. I made the most of my time in whatever role I established or was assigned to do be it fellowship PD, div chief, clinical trials head, etc. I was lucky to have a Dept chair who understood our needs & with evidence based negotiation gave me almost everything I wanted for my faculty including higher salaries c/w the rest of the country. Pay attention to who your direct bosses are - don't rely on titles. See/Ask how they work with & value people and if they advocate for their people - if they score low, don't waste any more time where you are at or applying for that job. Get mentors who are in tune with the times - you will need different mentors at different times of your career.