An article by CareerCast posted the 10 most and 10 least stressful jobs and put University Professor at the top of the list, which has started some controversy. Â I really don’t have much to add except that I think I’ve seen both sides to this debate.
I know older tenured professors who are doing the same thing they have been doing for 20+ years, have complete job security, get to set most of their working hours, great retirement options (though they aren’t), and have almost no over site. Â Tenure taken the wrong way leads to stagnation and complacency. Â Worst still I think some number of these professors think they are doing a good job because they are showing up to their classes, thereby feeling fulfilled in their role. Â That seems like the least stressful (and rewarding) job.
On the other hand, my life a whirlwind of activity and a to-do list that only gets longer no matter how many things I accomplish. Â I don’t have tenure, so that affects my perspective, but I still don’t see my situation changing. Â I’ve been told as life progresses you take on less at work to focus more on your family, but even with that I can’t imagine the course development, committee work, performing in front of the students, research, etc to go away. Â I really love my job, which makes the stress manageable, but I just don’t see someone who takes this position seriously having the least stressful job in America.