<p>*I’ve also run into lots of young academics married to young lawyers who have portable skills but are often underemployed in small college towns; for these non-academic spouses, the academic’s lateral move will be to a place where the lawyer-spouse’s career prospects are brighter. * </p>
<p>* I don’t want to sound unsympathetic, but if you’re a married PhD student who’s nearing the academic job market, then you should have discussed with your spouse beforehand what the implications are of the academic lifestyle, and how far each party is willing to compromise. Either that, or you shouldn’t have gotten married. This is how the academic lifestyle is: you can easily find yourself in small college towns with limited career opportunities for your spouse, and people should understand that up front. *</p>
<p>Oh I agree… but many don’t think to get such agreements prior to marriage. Many couples don’t think to ask…“hey, if my career takes me to Timbuktu, will you be willing to move with me - even if it’s detrimental to your career?” I know some men would fear asking such a question out of concern that it sounds a bit chauvinistic - especially if many know that they wouldn’t do the same in reverse.</p>
<p>Yes, some companies are pretty good about helping the trailing spouse seek employment. But, after being involved with 3 corporate moves, I can tell you that only works some of the time. No company/university can find adequate employment (with similar income) for the trailing spouse who has a career based on having a clientele. </p>
<p>After our last move, one couple moved back after one year because their income couldn’t take the “hit” from the change to her career. She had a very lucrative and specialized real estate company in her former town. It takes years and years to build up that kind of business/income and name recognition. The same would apply to those who have spouses that are attys, physicians, dentists, business owners, etc.</p>