Work Commandments: A Manifesto

1) It's a great privilege to find your work meaningful and to be paid what you think your time, energy, and skills are worth.

2) It's hard to find any work meaningful all of the time. That's not how meaning or fulfillment functions.

3) Expect to make compromises. Don't compromise on your core values or your sense of self-worth.

4) Don't ever, ever work for free. Not internships. Not short-term gigs. Not as a favor to someone with whom you aren't close. That includes bartering your services with another party that can afford to pay you.

5) ...unless, that is, you can afford to allocate some time to volunteer or engage in pro bono work. Do that if and when you can and for people or groups you believe in and who need help.

6) Keep studying, learning from people around you, and asking for constructive feedback.

7) Develop and seek out mentorships.

8) It is possible to believe in yourself and also to be grateful for opportunities.

9) Do stuff outside of work. I don't know what "balance" is, but do stuff outside of work.

10) Academic work is merely one of many kinds of work -- it is not inherently better, cushier, or more fulfilling than others.