A graduate student writes:
I have a question about the impact on one's job prospects from taking a year out from philosophy, for example to work on charitable projects. I understand that years out from philosophy don't have an effect if they are taken before one starts postgraduate study. But what's the effect if one takes a year (or more) out:
a) during one's phd?
b) after one's phd?
In each of these cases, would the time away be interpreted as a lack of commitment to philosophy, and therefore harm one's job prospects? If so, how much harm would be done?
Thoughts from readers? My sense is that doing so after the PhD can be very damaging, and will be interpreted as failure to get a job and/or lack of serious commitment to philosophy. During the PhD is a different matter, I imagine. But I'm honestly not sure. Please submit your comment just once, they may take awhile to appear.
