Career Choice For Academics

As one of various professions in modern society, the academic profession, compared with other professions, exhibits unique traits and specific requirements. The unique features of academic profession include economic rewards and spiritual experiences,the stability and mobility of the job, the combination of teaching and research, and the internal factors and external conditions of professional development. Apparently, the academic discipline and corresponding organization and community exerts a favorable influence on potential workers who plan to devote himself or herself to the academic world. In addition, factors like the state political system, current economic conditions and cultural atmosphere are some others that really count. In summary, it’s an attractive and challengeable profession for those thoughtful personnel who were often found indulging in new discoveries with endless pursuit. Obviously, the above-normal requirements within the profession and uncertainties for the future both suggest that the choice to be an academic is by no means prompted by a sudden impulse.Based on the vary reasons for choosing academic profession as a career, seven scholars from different985project universities in Shanghai were interviewed, valuable information were obtained through quality-based method on the integration and abstraction of the original data and narrative materials. Briefly, we focused on the concrete experiences of each interviewee and engaged to give a reasonable explanation on their career choice, development and planning for the future. With each case presented in both a narrative and encoded way, we highlighted several questions as below:The true situation to promote the determination to be an academic and how to achieve such a goal. Are there any factors that effects and the origin of their deep-seated faith.Drawing from the interviewees’ stories and experiences, emphasis could be highlighted by grounded theory as follows:it seems acceptable that the atmospher in a family was more influencial; superior educational background comes to be a necessity for academist; the teachers of different stage are important "others"; the experience of doctoral stage is of vital importance for the academics; interest,personality and professional ideals are crucial elements driving their endless pursuit of academic excellence and performances.