In academia, the path to success isn’t always a straight line. While we’re trained to focus on research and writing, many scholars fall into the trap of administrative roles and other distractions that hinder their career progression. Today, I want to talk about the career trapdoors—those big, gaping holes—that could prevent your writing career from advancing. These are the common pitfalls that many academics fall into without realizing the long-term damage they’re causing to their academic trajectory.
1. Taking on an Admin Portfolio Too Early
One of the biggest career trapdoors in academia is taking on an administrative portfolio that is beyond your career stage. Whether it’s heading a department or managing a large academic project, these roles can be career killers for early-career scholars. You might be asked to take on one of these roles in your mid-career, but doing so before you’ve established a strong publication record can be detrimental.
The reality is that these positions consume all of your time. You’ll be trapped in endless meetings, handling paperwork, and putting out constant fires. With no time left for writing or research, you risk losing the critical habits and discipline that make you a successful academic. The people who succeed in these roles are often those who can work beyond their contracted hours, sacrificing personal time and well-being for the job. For most, that’s not sustainable.
Tip: Avoid these roles until you have tenure and have made significant strides in your academic career. Focus on publishing and building your academic reputation first.
2. Ignoring What Really Matters in Academia
In academia, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of teaching, administrative work, and student feedback. These aspects of academic life are important, but they are not what truly drives career advancement. If you want to succeed in academia, you must recognize that the key to your academic progression lies in your publications.
Too many academics focus on teaching and admin, thinking it will lead to promotion. The reality is that your institution cares most about how many papers you’ve published and where they’ve been published. To climb the academic ladder, you must prioritize your research and writing, regardless of how much the daily demands might distract you.
Tip: Disconnect from the noise. Focus on your publication record, as that’s what will truly advance your academic career.
3. Becoming Dependent on Collaborations
Collaboration is essential in academic work, but it’s important to also develop the skill of writing solo. Writing alone might feel intimidating, but it’s a crucial skill. Without it, you risk losing your academic voice and identity. If you only ever collaborate, it becomes difficult for others to discern your unique contributions to your field.
Collaboration should supplement, not replace, your individual work. While co-authoring can broaden your reach and provide valuable insights, it’s important to build your personal portfolio of solo-written papers. Having a mix of collaborative and solo-authored work gives you the freedom to shape your own academic identity.
Tip: Challenge yourself to write solo at least some of the time to build your academic reputation and solidify your scholarly identity.
4. Being a One-Trick Pony
It’s important to have a niche in your academic work, but being too narrow in focus can limit your opportunities for career growth. While it’s essential to establish yourself in a specific area, you should also allow your work to evolve and broaden over time. A too-narrow focus can make it difficult to build an international reputation, as it limits your scope and relevance in the academic world.
At the same time, don’t spread yourself too thin by jumping from one topic to the next. This “scattergun” approach can make it hard for others to understand what you stand for academically. It’s about finding a balance—maintaining a strong core focus while gradually expanding into related areas as your career progresses.
Tip: Build a consistent academic narrative that evolves over time. Stay focused but allow for growth and broadening of your expertise.
5. Relying Too Much on Book Chapters
Writing book chapters can be a great way to contribute to the field, but it’s important not to make them your primary form of academic output. While book chapters can be valuable for networking and visibility, peer-reviewed journal articles remain the gold standard in academia. If you only write book chapters, you risk limiting your career prospects.
Peer-reviewed journal articles carry more weight in academic evaluations, promotions, and funding applications. They are crucial for establishing your credibility and scholarly identity. While book chapters can supplement your academic work, they shouldn’t replace high-impact journal articles.
Tip: Don’t fall into the trap of writing too many book chapters. Aim to publish in top-tier journals to boost your academic reputation.
In Conclusion
Avoiding these career trapdoors requires strategic thinking and clear decision-making. The academic landscape is filled with distractions and pressures that can derail your writing career, but with the right focus and boundaries, you can navigate them successfully. If you’re early in your career, concentrate on building a solid publication record. Don’t let the demands of admin or collaboration pull you off course. And always remember that your academic identity is built on the quality of your work, not the number of committees you chair or the amount of admin you do.
If you’re already caught in one of these traps, it’s not too late to course-correct. Recognize where you might be off track and take steps to refocus on what truly matters—your writing, your research, and your academic future.