The Life/Blood of a Management Scholar: What a Cancer Diagnosis Taught Me About the Profession

Abstract

After receiving a diagnosis of a rare form of blood cancer in my mid 30s, in the midst of my first year working full-time as an assistant professor, I reflect on the ways such a life-altering event gave me a new vantage point on my own career as a management scholar. I highlight ways that both a) the nature of the cancer treatment I had to receive and b) being forced to mentally face prospects of a reduced life expectancy, had the unforeseen value of giving me specific insights on effective ways to conduct research in our field, while still appreciating deeper issues of personal values and relationships. I specifically utilize the conceptual framework of the ‘protean’ career in my narrative essay to elucidate important truths about the nature of management scholarship which I propose all my colleagues should personally consider as they pursue their own career goals.