Purpose - Professor From Birth

Purpose

July 7, 2025

Getting Another PhD?

“Wait… did the Professor from Birth just pick up another PhD?” 🎓
Well, I do love school, but not that much! 😅

One of the fun surprises and privileges of becoming a professor is realizing that I get to wear doctoral regalia every spring—no fresh dissertation required! Best day ever!

As I put on my robe for convocation, I reflect on how this journey began. From teaching an empty classroom at the age of 8 to instructing real secondary school students and now university students, it has felt like a natural progression.

This wasn’t just a career move but a calling I’ve followed my entire life. That dream has never changed.

Honestly, the path to academia isn’t easy. Tenure-track professorships are few and fiercely competitive. It can be discouraging to see others transition into industry roles while you continue pursuing a future that sometimes feels out of reach.

Choosing a career in industry is a fantastic choice. Many people find purpose, peace of mind, and success outside academia. So, an industry career might be the right path for you.

However, for some of us, there is a different kind of joy that comes from being in a classroom, mentoring students, conducting research, and being part of a university community. If that resonates with you, don’t give up. Stay the course. The road may be long, but it’s worth it.

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth

And to the Trinity Western University Class of 2025, congratulations! 🎉 You’ve been equipped for more than just a job; you’ve been shaped for a full, meaningful, and impactful life. We are proud of you.

With Love,
The Professor from Birth 🫶🏾

Purpose

Professor Balogun

July 7, 2025

Do Dream Jobs Exist?

Whoever claims that dream jobs don’t exist either misunderstands the essence of dreams or the true value of a job.

As I wrapped up my first semester as a full-time Assistant Professor of Geography and Environment last December, I could genuinely say it was a demanding yet thoroughly refreshing and deeply fulfilling experience.

Despite the stress and many sleepless nights spent preparing lecture materials and learning activities, I was always excited to go to “work” every day. Stepping into the classroom, seeing my students, and teaching and interacting with them brought me so much joy and peace.

I am grateful for the opportunity to positively impact the lives of the next generation of learners and emerging leaders.

Dream jobs do exist, and dreams are not only meant for sleeping. I got my dream job as a university professor. Yet, in a sense, I have always had my dream job. I love teaching, and every job I held throughout my career journey had a teaching component.

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth

It’s been several decades since I first taught my imaginary students in an empty room back home in Africa. I was 8 years old. I must mention that those lectures were intense, and I put great effort into grading their assignments😅! Years later, I started tutoring part-time during my undergraduate studies and eventually became a full-time secondary school teacher.

I was literally born to do this. And if you think about it, does a Professor from Birth really need a formal title from the university to validate his calling?

Dare to dream again.

With Love,
Professor from Birth.

Purpose

Professor Balogun

July 7, 2025

Canadian Universities Face a Perilous Financial Situation

I have engaged with several PhDs and Postdocs who have expressed profound apprehensions regarding the current state of academia. The spectrum of challenges confronting this domain ranges from unhealthy working environments to comparatively lower wages than the industry.

Furthermore, the academic job market is marked by intense competition, wherein securing a tenure-track professorship position remains a coveted but elusive prospect for most PhDs.

In Canada, the situation is even more challenging due to recent changes in immigration policy for international students. The federal government announced a 2-year cap on international student permits (a 35% reduction compared to 2023).

What’s more, universities in Ontario still need to grapple with limited funding and domestic tuition freezes imposed by the provincial government. It is no secret that universities rely heavily on tuition fees from international students.

With Ontario’s universities and colleges facing up to a 50% reduction in international student enrollment, a perilous financial situation looms.

How these challenges will impact students, faculty, and PhDs seeking academic jobs remains to be seen.

I remain unmovable.

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth

Purpose

Professor Balogun

July 7, 2025

Is Pursuing a PhD a Waste of Time?

Dear PhD students: Pursuing a PhD is not a waste of time, and not every PhD program is toxic.

I understand the negative sentiment on LinkedIn about pursuing a PhD and the toxicity of academia compared to industry. I respect others’ experiences and believe they are valid and worth sharing.

However, it’s essential to highlight that some PhDs have had positive experiences.

#1 – Personally, I have been in academia for over a decade and have never been bullied or harassed. Although my PhD was demanding and often stressful, I never experienced anxiety or depression.

#2 – While I acknowledge that many PhD students and Postdocs have had to deal with toxic supervisors and PIs, my experience has been quite different.

#3 – My PhD supervisors were kind and nurturing. As a postdoc, I work in a friendly and safe space with PIs who actively support my career goals and provide me with opportunities to pursue my teaching interests.

#4 – Perhaps industry jobs may offer better work-life balance, but I doubt it’s as good as it sounds. We still live in the real (broken) world, not some fairytale Disney world.

My hope in sharing my experience is to offer a balanced view of academia and encourage those deterred by negative stories to consider the potential for a positive PhD journey.

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth

Purpose

Professor Balogun

July 7, 2025

The Matthew vs Solomon Effect

The “Matthew Effect” holds true and likely explains much of the tendency of an individual’s social, economic, or academic success. Nevertheless, a few people defy the odds through what I have termed the “Solomon Effect” or the “Time and Chance Effect”.

For reference, the “Matthew Effect” is based on the biblical passage, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Matthew 25:29; also in Matthew 13:12).

On the other hand, I derive the “Solomon Effect” from the Book of Ecclesiastes, which says, “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Put differently, “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth

In my experience, I have discovered that the most profound stories are often shaped by the Solomon Effect.

Which of these two principles resonates best with you?

Purpose

Professor Balogun

July 7, 2025

After the PhD: Expectations vs Reality

Securing a tenure-track assistant professor position, considered the ‘gold star’ of academic careers, is increasingly elusive for PhDs as universities face financial constraints, shifting student demographics, and evolving priorities.

I recently gave a talk on “After the PhD: Expectations vs Reality” to two research groups at the University of Toronto, which sparked extensive discussions on the challenges of PhD careers, including the scarcity of tenured positions and transition to industry.

Both sessions were positively received, with attendees highlighting the need for more regular career discussions. Tenured faculty acknowledged the limited academic opportunities and stressed the importance of preparing PhD students for industry roles.

I urged grad students and post-docs to align their expectations realistically with the job market. Nevertheless, I reaffirmed my commitment to academia and determination to pursue a tenure-track career. Against all hope, I remain hopeful.

I appreciate the support from the PIs in my research groups at U of T, who readily allowed me to share this information with the group.

I reaffirmed my commitment to academia and determination to pursue a tenure-track career. Against all hope, I remain hopeful.

Olalekan Balogun

The Professor from Birth