Most jobs nowadays require us to focus for long periods of time. The trouble is, we think our ability to concentrate is unlimited. Truth be told, the human mind wasn’t meant to be hyper-focused for terribly long periods of time. So how can we hack our brain to squeeze out the most concentration out of it?
Many other studies back up the strategic break hypothesis. A 1999 Cornell University study for instance, found that when workers were reminded to take breaks periodically, they were actually 13% more accurate in their tasks.
South Korea, which has some of the most hours worked in the world, ironically has a low productivity rate. As a result, the government recently instituted a country-wide 52 hour work week, down from 68 hours.
What is your perspective?
Essentially, it's important to give young people the opportunity to do research.
But no matter how or why you go about it, do not think of retirement as an end.
Stopping doesn't mean stopping. It means do what you've always wanted to do.
I agree with all of your affirmative comments dear colleagues.
Philadelphia, PA
Dear Otaiku,
The way I see the matter, work and relaxation can and do support each other in regular cycles. We do better work if we do not over work. When someone wakes up fresh in the morning, after a good night's sleep, things become possible which may have looked very dim the night before. Best to save this time of day for the most important work.
As for retirement, this differs from field to field surely. Its a well known phenomenon, e.g., that mathematicians generally do their best work early on in their careers. Philosophers, in contrast, tend to get better the longer they work at it. So much in the field depends on integration of broad knowledge and accumulated experience. In consequence, philosophers often continue on, following the example of Socrates, until or unless long-term memory fades. Consider, e.g., Bertrand Russell who worked on into old age.
H.G. Callaway
H.G Callaway, in 21st century, jobs career are now multiples with different skills requirement. The brain is multi-tasking now and job place more competitive.
Balancing work, relax and challenging bills plus no job security.
What is your chat for the future young academics in 2018
There is no need to breakdown before realizing the need for rest (retire as put in the question). God himself instituted rest from the beginning and one cannot actually cheat nature. It is good to work well and work hard but the place of rest should never be toiled with. So my take is that everyone should fashion out appropriate time to rest.
I think you can decrease you academic job but you cannot stop your job totally.
Academic is a calling to nurture people for development and success.
At advanced age, the work becomes more of mentoring than teaching, hence, is a life job.
Maybe when you begin to repeat yourself in books and papers too often?
An academic's work ends with the last breadth, if we're lucky.
Retirement should not be forced at any age but allowed to take a natural course. Academics is more than talking in classrooms or at conferences. The mentoring, the nurturing, the research and the continuous improvement should be sustained for posterity.
Retirement is an early death. Working must never be stop. Whatever other details should be, like regular rest, choosing the suitable work for very part of life (as colleagues mentioned about mentoring and teaching at older ages ), funding.....
When work becomes part of a way of life, it becomes play with fulfillment.
I accepted an Early Retirement payout ($300,000) and retired June 30, 2016. Since then, I have published three books and am promoting my scholarship in social media.
Fairchild, You took the best decision.
The best was to create the future is to 'define' it.
Your work now play.... enjoy your life now.......Q.E.D
First, most Western universities, including Canadian universities, Egyptian universities and perhaps other universities, do not have a retirement for a faculty member.
It depends on the personal powers. The ability of giving is being different from one to another.
When you are no longer making meaningful contributions and not having fun doing your work. It has nothing to do with your age.
Retirement should actually be when the individual feels he or she is fulfilled in his carrier because even after seventy years some still come back to teach as contract staff meaning they still have something impart on student. so its should be when the person in question is convince that he / she is fulfilled
It depends: those who love what they do should bever retire, others should not even start working there
The two thing that define everyone is choice and decision of our career path.. all other issues are derivatives.
No retirement for true academics.To my view one should disseminate knowledge till brain works.
Academic work is consistent and no retirement; Retirement from the employer may be decided by 'Nation' as per 'Life Expectancy' of citizens
Essentially, it's important to give young people the opportunity to do research.
But no matter how or why you go about it, do not think of retirement as an end.
Stopping doesn't mean stopping. It means do what you've always wanted to do.
I agree with all of your affirmative comments dear colleagues.
At 55-60 years and then try apply your research findings into business
As long as you are in good health, enjoying and interested in research and creating knowledge, you can continue working and giving to humanity.
my opinion is to give those old in academic job a membership in the opinion committee, that supervise the institute they where in, and regarded as academic consultant, for the Dean of that institute.
Indeed, it is not necessary retirement age for true academicians/ Researchers. As per my opinion one should disseminate knowledge till brain works. Research and teaching would just get better with time spent in the field, and students and colleagues would get benefit of senior’s wisdom and experience.
Going to retirement is not a retreat from the scientific-academic battlefield or in general from the social battle.
It only means complying with the Labor Justice Norms of each State, helping replace the old ones with young people in high scientific-academic positions, refreshing the ideas and methodologies used for a long time, and for the retired, the imperative need to search which is the best thing to do with your knowledge and remain active and useful for him, his family, his nation and humanity.
Do scientists perform better at old age or when younger in their career?
I disagree with the premise. Human cognition is unlimited, when allowed.
One should not think of retirement from academics. As you become elder, your gathered experience is tequired by the youngsters, thetefore, never retire but help others who seek your advice or guidance. This way, one can live longer. I feel so, what others feel, I do not know.
As in any field, retire at your peak. When do you know if you have reached the peak? Watch for the following factors: (a) you cannot or do not want to deal with the institutional bureaucracy, (b) you get frustrated with the environment, (c) you have accumulated enough accolades in terms of teaching awards, publications, patents, presentations, plaques, etc., (d) when you realize that the value-add is getting to be less and less in terms of your contributions, and some other factors. As was pointed out by certain colleagues, it is not the end of your life. You can pursue being a mentor or consultant while not having to report to your place of work as you have done for decades. This gives you freedom to enjoy life as you dictate it.
Vasan, do you mean, i can have more than one career in 21 century?
Explain....better.
Thanks
The decision should come from the academic or researcher when to retire. If the brain works and overall health condition permits then the Institute is supposed to extend the scope of teaching or research. If there is any age limit (retirement age) in the organization, then academic/researcher may be engaged as guest teacher/consultant etc.
Dr koli,
Even if the brain continues to work till 100years old?
Dr Hoxie, even if the funding keeps coming till very old age?
What will be the fate of the upcoming young researchers?
Dear Ayodele Otaiku!!!
SALUDOS!!!
Could you please as DISCUSSION STARTER AND GUIDER, make a general SUMMARY of all ideas collected on the ACCADEMICS RETAIREMENT TOPIC???
I dont have had the feed back!
Yours!
Gustavo
Sierra,
If all academics works with economic value is on a platform like :
www.innoaf.com , crowd sourcing website. The narrative must have changed today,.
I study carefully the site content; www.innoaf.com , is it only related with academics or of broader contents? Could you please explain to me little more!
Thanks!
Gustavo
I don't think academics have real retirement. However, there is compulsory retirement if she/he works in the public sector. Some of these academicians continue to work in the private sector or in other alternatives. Those who are retired and do not work afterwards; they cannot leave the academic environment. If the public retirement is concerned; 67 years in my country. I think it's appropriate. Young academics should also be given the opportunity.
Some academics should have never started whereas some other are still capable of teaching and doing research with 70!!
I think a Professor may be given retirement at the age of 65 years.
Indeed there is no best time, just continue until you cannot deliver anymore.
In my country it is compulsory to tire from public jobs at the age of 60, however, one can continue to do private teaching after retirement.
In the knowledge era 21 century , Platform thinking like Research agate etcs, shows that 'knowledge grows by 'reason of application or use' .
Applied science and genetics and STEM courses required ' advance methodology and judgment for multiplier effects on creativity, innovation powered by the right infrastructure of learning and research. Skills and experience are the operations system here. Improved medicine globally will keep scholars on duty till the age of 70 years this century. Crowd sourcing services globally will make this possible with focus on 'domain experts'. Case study are www. innocentive.com , www.innoaf.com and others.
You have to retire when you lose the passion to work, when you feel tired and cant give anymore .
When scholars retire, his works live on and value added to industry and knowledge industry using crowd sourcing platform www.innoaf.com ; www.innocentive.com etcs
I have looked at the answers given, since the question had been asked. Most of the answers do not indicate age. The majority of the answers emphasize that there will be no retirement for academicians. When I look at the given retirement ages; they are between 55-70. (majority between 67-70). Of course, these given ages mean the retirement from official duty. My idea; academics cannot live the real retirement, the stated ages are only the task change.
The most interesting question now.
When are [ age range] the most productive age of the academics ?
The best of mosts academics is 45-70 years but better 70-80 years for publishing, mentoring , innovation and management.
I am more interested in the knowledge capture and application for value core creation for humanity and benefits of the families of the creator of the academics works, IP, patents etcs.
I think the time is as long as someone's physical and mental fitness . And yeah there should be no age limit!
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