Should I give up on life and teach at a liberal arts college?

Question

Instead of doing research, for example.

Maybe I should clarify this:

I'm actually already DOING both research and teaching at the college level.

But I enjoy teaching tremendously and receive stellar evaluations. Research, on the other hand is a long and drawn out process, even though it can also be nice.

Whenever I mention the notion of "just teaching" to my colleagues, they always say: "Don't do it, don't give up on life like that".

Answer 1

I hope giving up on life is not a pre-requisite for becoming a college professor; you seem like you have some knowledge to share though, perhaps teaching at a college will be invigorating for you as well as your students!
Better still, go teach at a university where they do alot of reasearch like Duke! I knew a law professor there who did research on small claims courts and juries etc., he had a captive audience of research assistants!


THEN DO WHAT MAKES YOUR HEART GLAD!
Good luck with that!

Answer 2

Thanks for clarifying your question.

I repeat, however: Teaching at a liberal arts college will STILL require you to do research -- that is, if you ever hope to qualify for tenure.

The level of research output expected at a liberal arts college will be slightly lower than that expected by a level one research institution, but not by all that much, especially if the liberal arts college is top-tier.

If you want to "just teach," then it's a community college job you're seeking, not a liberal arts college.