I don& #39;t think a lot of people understand how nasty people can be in the academy. Many of us aren& #39;t doing this because folks treat us so well. I can& #39;t speak for others but I know what keeps me going is the belief that I can make a positive difference in someone else& #39;s life.
I am most fulfilled by the opportunity to produce research I& #39;m proud of. I love working with students with the hope that I& #39;ll help them find a path that excites them as much as history excites me. I try to ignore the pettiness and professional jealousy (there& #39;s a lot of that...)
I remind myself daily that academia is not a meritocracy. That helps me stay focused and not internalize or make much of the slammed doors in my face. I focus on the open doors and try to figure out how to widen them a bit more so someone else gets through.