There may be a number of reasons for you to press pause on your research career, from family to health and more. While taking a break from your research career can help you reassess, recharge, and refocus on your goals, making the decision of getting back to research after a career break can be intimidating. This is especially true if you’ve been away from work for an extended period of time and have to align with new roles, new teams, new workplaces, and new developments in your field. However, this seemingly overwhelming challenge of restarting your academic career can be successfully accomplished with the right mindset and preparation. This article lists some of the common challenges that researchers face when getting back to research after a career break, along with simple recommendations on how to plan a successful transition.
Common challenges when getting back to research after a career break
Obsolete knowledge and skills
Researchers who have been away from the lab for some time may suddenly feel out of place when faced with new technologies and research methodologies. This leaves most researchers feeling out of touch and needing to update their knowledge and skills when getting back to research. Often the learning curve proves to be too steep, and many choose to step back down.
Confidence and self-doubt
After an extended research career break, researchers may experience some level of self-doubt and be uncertain about their academic knowledge and abilities. It’s actually rather common for researchers to feel like an imposter and be insecure about their research skills and competence compared to their peers when getting back to research after a career break especially when they detect impatience or judgement by peers. Obtaining support from the research institution, such as access to resources, mentoring, and training opportunities, can be critical for returning researchers to overcome this imposter syndrome and regain confidence.
Re-establishing professional networks
Sometimes a research career break can result in your professional networks being neglected. With teamwork and collaboration at the heart of successful research, it’s crucial to re-establish and maintain your network of peers. However, academics getting back to research after a career break may feel left out and find it challenging to reconnect with colleagues, establish new collaborations, and reintegrate into the research community.
Research and knowledge gaps
During the break from your research career, there may have been significant advancements in your field, resulting in rather large knowledge gaps for returning researchers. If you’re serious about getting back to research after your career break, it’s essential to work hard on staying updated. However, this can be time-consuming and effort intensive, requiring extensive reading to catch up on current literature.
Time management
Having been away from the constant demands of work, and pressures of delivering quick results, researchers may likely need more time to adjust and recalibrate to the new pace of work and recover confidence in their abilities. Balancing your research career with personal responsibilities can be demanding, especially if returning researchers have family obligations or part-time employment. So when getting back to research after a career break, consciously take steps to improve your time management skills and manage competing priorities is essential to strike a balance, maintain your well-being, and be more productive.
Funding opportunities
Securing research funding may be more challenging on getting back to research after a career break. Researchers may need to reestablish their track record and convince funding agencies of the value and feasibility of their research projects. Add to this new funding sources or changes in guidelines during your absence that you need to know and follow, and the entire process seems even more disconcerting. Hence, most experts suggest easing back into your research career instead of trying to rush things.
Restoring research identity and output
After a break in their research career, most academics will need to redefine their research interests, goals, and directions. Reconnecting with your passion and aligning your research identity with current trends and opportunities is essential. This will drive you to conduct new research, adapt to changes in the publication process, and restart your publication track record, which is crucial when getting back to research after a career break.
Tips on getting back to research after a career break
Reflect and realign; embrace a growth mindset
Before restarting your research career, take time to reflect on your research interests, goals, and motivations. Realign your focus and identify areas of interest that align with current trends in your field and update your knowledge and skills. It may be a good idea to get back to research by enrolling in specific courses or attending relevant workshops. Through this process, be sure to embrace a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for continual learning and improvement when getting back to research after a career break.
Plan and prioritize; seek professional development
Develop a realistic and structured plan to resume and amplify your research career. Set clear goals, establish timelines, and prioritize tasks to manage your time effectively. Stay abreast of the latest developments in your field by regularly reading scholarly literature and explore professional development opportunities to enhance your research career, such as research skills workshops or training programs offered by universities or professional organizations.
Network and collaborate; build a support system
Re-establish relationships with co-workers and past collaborators to ease getting back into research after a career break. Reach out and expand your professional networks by attending conferences, seminars, and research events that give you an opportunity to meet, interact, and share ideas with peers and colleagues, who may be potential future collaborators. It is also important to find a mentor or supervisor who can offer research career advice and guide you when you require help. Join supportive research communities or associations and surround yourself with individuals who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights.
Apply for funding; publish and present your research
Actively search for funding opportunities and applying for grants or scholarships that align with your research interests is an essential step in getting back to research after a career break. Seek guidance from research offices or mentors on the application process. Once you get funding, it’s important to publish your research in reputed journals and present your work at conferences, which will help you improve your research visibility and impact, gain recognition in the research community, and advance your research career.
Balance work and life; celebrate your progress
While it is natural to feel energized and ready for challenges, experts suggest taking small steps when getting back to research after a career break to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Evaluate your reasons for returning to a research career, set attainable goals, acknowledge minor victories, and look for ways to stay engaged with your research. This will help you stay organized, productive, and motivated; it gives you the confidence you need to take on larger projects faster and keeps you going when things get challenging.
Being aware of the challenges mentioned above and following the tips will help facilitate a smooth transition back into a successful research career. But remember that getting back to research after a career break requires time, persistence, and patience. Be prepared to face challenges and setbacks and try not to be too hard on yourself. Seek support where needed, keep an open mind, and use every opportunity you get to learn about new developments and trends in your discipline.
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