Skip to content
ADVERTISEMENT
Sign In
  • Sections
    • News
    • Advice
    • The Review
  • Topics
    • Data
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Finance & Operations
    • International
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Teaching & Learning
    • Scholarship & Research
    • Student Success
    • Technology
    • Transitions
    • The Workplace
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • Podcast: College Matters from The Chronicle
  • Newsletters
  • Virtual Events
  • Ask Chron
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Professional Development
    • Career Resources
    • Virtual Career Fair
  • More
  • Sections
    • News
    • Advice
    • The Review
  • Topics
    • Data
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Finance & Operations
    • International
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Teaching & Learning
    • Scholarship & Research
    • Student Success
    • Technology
    • Transitions
    • The Workplace
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Special Issues
    • Podcast: College Matters from The Chronicle
  • Newsletters
  • Virtual Events
  • Ask Chron
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Professional Development
    • Career Resources
    • Virtual Career Fair
    Upcoming Events:
    Trump Webinar Series
    Mental Health Forum
    Using Big Data to Improve Social Mobility
Sign In
News

The Four Types of Post-Tenure Professor

May 7, 2017

After tenure, many scholars fall into one of four categories. That’s according to three professors who have studied midcareer problems on their campuses: Karla A. Erickson, a sociology professor at Grinnell College; Tamara Beauboeuf, a professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at DePauw University; and Jan E. Thomas, a professor of sociology and women’s and gender studies at Kenyon College. The categories, which are below, were based on faculty surveys and interviews.

To continue reading for FREE, please sign in.

Sign In

Or subscribe now to read with unlimited access for as low as $10/month.

Don’t have an account? Sign up now.

A free account provides you access to a limited number of free articles each month, plus newsletters, job postings, salary data, and exclusive store discounts.

Sign Up

After tenure, many scholars fall into one of four categories. That’s according to three professors who have studied midcareer problems on their campuses: Karla A. Erickson, a sociology professor at Grinnell College; Tamara Beauboeuf, a professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at DePauw University; and Jan E. Thomas, a professor of sociology and women’s and gender studies at Kenyon College. The categories, which are below, were based on faculty surveys and interviews.

Midcareer Malaise1
Coping With Midcareer Malaise
How to assist professors through the post-tenure blues.
  • Helping Professors Overcome Midcareer Malaise
  • The Dissatisfaction of the Associate Professor
  • How I Got My Groove Back After Getting Tenure
  • Ways to Get Professors to Escape Career Ruts
  • Key Research on Midcareer Issues

Synergistic Citizens

These professors have high career satisfaction and a strong connection to the college. They are reflective, have the ability to reinvent their research and teaching, and choose service opportunities that align with their interests, while still saying no sometimes. They are also recognized by their institutions for their contributions.

Independent Agents

These faculty members are highly satisfied with their careers but have a weak link to their institution. Their commitments are mainly to their disciplines or departments. They seek service only when it helps colleagues or is in their own interest. They often feel like they don’t fit in and usually seek recognition from places outside the institution.

Weary Citizens

These academics have lower career satisfaction than the first two, yet they maintain a strong connection with their colleges. They enjoy service work but often find they don’t get rewarded for their efforts. The service work has become a “trench” and does not lead to promotion.

The Disgruntled and Discouraged

Like weary citizens, these professors are somewhat dissatisfied with their careers, but also lack a strong loyalty to their institution. They have a long-held feeling of being unappreciated or unrecognized. As members of the faculty, they are usually very critical of the administration. They feel stuck and have no plan to move forward, aside from retirement.

A version of this article appeared in the May 12, 2017, issue.
Read other items in Coping With Midcareer Malaise.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Email
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

More News

Conti-0127
Finance
Here’s What Republicans’ Proposed College-Endowment Tax Could Look Like
Illustration of a magnifying glass highlighting the phrase "including the requirements set forth in Presidential Executive Order 14168 titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government."
The Fine Print
The NIH Is Requiring Grantees to Follow Trump’s Anti-Trans Executive Order
New York City police arrested dozens of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Columbia University on Wednesday evening after they took over part of a central library in New York, USA on May 7, 2025.
'A Different Playbook'
Facing New Protests and Political Pressure, Colleges Are Taking a Harder Line
President of Haverford College Wendy Raymond (L) and President of DePaul University Robert Manuel (R) testify during a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building on May 7, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Leadership
Under Republicans’ Scrutiny, College Presidents Apologize for Their Handling of Campus Antisemitism

From The Review

Illustration showing two men and giant books, split into two sides—one blue and one red. The two men are reaching across the center color devide to shake hands.
The Review | Opinion
Left and Right Agree: Higher Ed Needs to Change
By Michael W. Clune
University of British Columbia president and vice-chancellor Santa Ono pauses while speaking during a memorandum of understanding  signing ceremony between the Tsilhqot'in National Government and UBC, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Dec. 8, 2021.
The Review | Opinion
Santa Ono Flees for Florida
By Silke-Maria Weineck
GarciaBudgets-0430.jpg
The Review | Opinion
A Looming Crisis for Public Colleges
By Tanya I. Garcia

Upcoming Events

Plain_USF_AIWorkForce_VF.png
New Academic Programs for an AI-Driven Work Force
Cincy_Plain.png
Hands-On Career Preparation
  • Explore Content
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Letters
    • Free Reports and Guides
    • Professional Development
    • Virtual Events
    • Chronicle Store
    • Chronicle Intelligence
    • Jobs in Higher Education
    • Post a Job
  • Know The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Vision, Mission, Values
    • DEI at The Chronicle
    • Write for Us
    • Work at The Chronicle
    • Our Reporting Process
    • Advertise With Us
    • Brand Studio
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Account and Access
    • Manage Your Account
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Group and Institutional Access
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
  • Get Support
    • Contact Us
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • User Agreement
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2025 The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education is academe’s most trusted resource for independent journalism, career development, and forward-looking intelligence. Our readers lead, teach, learn, and innovate with insights from The Chronicle.
Follow Us
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • linkedin