My father has always commented on the job security of a PhD--I don't know how true that is given our difference in fields...but I do think there is some element of truth in this.
One thing I should add, I think what has really made him an attractive candidate for a transition has been: (1) consistent contact with former graduate students who are now either Presidents at institutions he attended or are prominent members of boards etc... (2) over 30 years of research work in his field outside of academia and stellar work experience (3) credentials that few others within the field would have, making him attractive from a cross-disciplinary standpoint, to teach for example, graduate level courses in business and say, physical chemistry. He also regularly presents research papers in his retirement and attends conferences.
I don't know if your average retiree has that kind of a background or does this on a regular basis "just for kicks" but it basically gives him the pedigree of someone who has worked in the academic world for a very long time. (Excluding practical teaching experience)
One thing I should add, I think what has really made him an attractive candidate for a transition has been: (1) consistent contact with former graduate students who are now either Presidents at institutions he attended or are prominent members of boards etc... (2) over 30 years of research work in his field outside of academia and stellar work experience (3) credentials that few others within the field would have, making him attractive from a cross-disciplinary standpoint, to teach for example, graduate level courses in business and say, physical chemistry. He also regularly presents research papers in his retirement and attends conferences.
I don't know if your average retiree has that kind of a background or does this on a regular basis "just for kicks" but it basically gives him the pedigree of someone who has worked in the academic world for a very long time. (Excluding practical teaching experience)
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