When I left the business world and focused on getting into a PhD program and completing research to get published and present at academic conferences I’ve been judged excessively because I “haven’t worked” over the past few years.
For anyone who knows anything about graduate research, getting published in peer reviewed journals and presenting at academic conferences without a university affiliation or a PhD requires more “work” than most do in their 40 hour a week job. Especially when I’m doing it bouncing a toddler and infant on my knees while I’m writing my papers.
Surprised how many on here, a board focused on an academic institution and university, seem to be oblivious at how much work is required for graduate school for programs that require legitimate research.