[series of interview-related posts will go here]
But, to summarize: the interview went really well, travel went not so well, and the thought of looking at Powerpoint today kinda makes me want to curl up into a little ball back under the covers.
More coming later.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Women hating women
It's a not-so-hidden secret that LargeU has problems with bias against women (both faculty and students). While I myself have never experienced discrimination here at LargeU, some of the stories I have heard are downright shocking (and mostly non-bloggable, and least not until May).
So what to do when the worst offender is a woman? Especially a woman that was recruited to LargeU by herself (as opposed to a "package-deal" with a more famous husband)?
So what to do when the worst offender is a woman? Especially a woman that was recruited to LargeU by herself (as opposed to a "package-deal" with a more famous husband)?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Exhausted.
Preparing for my upcoming job interviews (four in the next two weeks) has been surprisingly draining. Luckily, I'm surrounded by incredibly supportive people, including The Boss, Coworker, Coworker Friend...and even some new friends.
The sheer amount of time it has taken me to prepare my various teaching presentations, re-research the schools, and finalize my travel arrangements has shocked me. I happen to be at a relatively quiet time in my research (for the first time in, like, oh...five years), so everything has worked out without any major catastrophes or ulcers.
But it got me thinking. If I'm this stressed out applying as a graduate student to SLACs* then how the heck would I have dealt with applications to R1 schools as a postdoc, with less downtime and more responsibilities? No wonder postdoc positions seem to be running longer and longer!
*SLAC=small liberal arts college
The sheer amount of time it has taken me to prepare my various teaching presentations, re-research the schools, and finalize my travel arrangements has shocked me. I happen to be at a relatively quiet time in my research (for the first time in, like, oh...five years), so everything has worked out without any major catastrophes or ulcers.
But it got me thinking. If I'm this stressed out applying as a graduate student to SLACs* then how the heck would I have dealt with applications to R1 schools as a postdoc, with less downtime and more responsibilities? No wonder postdoc positions seem to be running longer and longer!
*SLAC=small liberal arts college
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Leavin' on a jet plane....or not?
The other day, I was innocently sitting at my desk, working away in the quiet since most of the office had left town for a conference, when I received the most ominous text from Coworker Friend:
We missed the flight.
Uh-oh. Apparently there was a mix up in their transportation (namely that Coworker thought the flight was later than scheduled, so C picked up Coworker Friend, et al. too late to make the ticketing cutoff time).
Coworker Friend handled it pretty well, considering. I would have come completely unglued. In fact, I sort of did, in the office, on CF's behalf. Something along the lines of "I would have PUNCHED Coworker!"
Obviously I don't travel well with others. I'm a control freak, so I don't like putting my schedule in someone else's hands. I have a certain schedule when I'm at the airport (get through security, bathroom, get coffee and sandwich, eat while calling people, pace terminal, buy reading material, bathroom, board) which does not have room for coworkers' slower pace or small talk.
At least I'm traveling alone to my job interviews next week!
We missed the flight.
Uh-oh. Apparently there was a mix up in their transportation (namely that Coworker thought the flight was later than scheduled, so C picked up Coworker Friend, et al. too late to make the ticketing cutoff time).
Coworker Friend handled it pretty well, considering. I would have come completely unglued. In fact, I sort of did, in the office, on CF's behalf. Something along the lines of "I would have PUNCHED Coworker!"
Obviously I don't travel well with others. I'm a control freak, so I don't like putting my schedule in someone else's hands. I have a certain schedule when I'm at the airport (get through security, bathroom, get coffee and sandwich, eat while calling people, pace terminal, buy reading material, bathroom, board) which does not have room for coworkers' slower pace or small talk.
At least I'm traveling alone to my job interviews next week!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Does "blogging" count as having fun?
A question that has come up during a few of my phone interviews has given me pause.
What do you do for fun when you aren't in the lab?
When I was first asked this, the following went through my head:
1. HAHAHAHA....when am I not in the lab?
2. Wait...is this a trick question?
3. Crap. I can't tell them drinking, boys, or blogging. What can I tell them? Crap-crap-crap.
The big problem is that I really don't want to reveal a lot of personal details, like my single status or religion. Any suggestions on what I should (or should not) say? I know the search committees are just trying to get a sense of if I'm looking for certain hobbies in the area or if I'm well-rounded....but seriously...I don't have a lot of free time, and what I do have to myself I fill with blogging, tving, or boozing. Suggestions?
What do you do for fun when you aren't in the lab?
When I was first asked this, the following went through my head:
1. HAHAHAHA....when am I not in the lab?
2. Wait...is this a trick question?
3. Crap. I can't tell them drinking, boys, or blogging. What can I tell them? Crap-crap-crap.
The big problem is that I really don't want to reveal a lot of personal details, like my single status or religion. Any suggestions on what I should (or should not) say? I know the search committees are just trying to get a sense of if I'm looking for certain hobbies in the area or if I'm well-rounded....but seriously...I don't have a lot of free time, and what I do have to myself I fill with blogging, tving, or boozing. Suggestions?
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Apparently I have power after all...
So Crazy Coworker informed me that the reason a fellow group member semi-recently left the group was because I was too much of a bitch to the student.
True story.
The sad thing is, that with this particular student, I really WASN'T ever a bitch. Promise.
...or at least my definition of bitch. Apparently Crazy Coworker thinks that I'm a bitch because I wasn't super social and chatty with this former group member every freakin' minute of the day.
Come on. It's grad school, not the the Greek system.
True story.
The sad thing is, that with this particular student, I really WASN'T ever a bitch. Promise.
...or at least my definition of bitch. Apparently Crazy Coworker thinks that I'm a bitch because I wasn't super social and chatty with this former group member every freakin' minute of the day.
Come on. It's grad school, not the the Greek system.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Some recommendations for recommendation letters
My previous post generated quite a lot of comments from you all. I think one of the uniting themes among the comments was a general "who the hell knows what those letter writers were thinking!!!"
ms. phd gave some great advice, namely that "It's really important to discuss with your recommenders that they avoid mentioning anything like this, even if you can't think of anything they might be tempted to mention."
I couldn't agree more! When I started getting my job application packet together, the first thing I did was make individual appointments with the faculty I had (already) asked to write letters on my behalf. During these appointments, I went over my CV with them briefly, discussed my career plans, summarized my teaching and research accomplishments (just in case they had forgotten how brilliant I am), and finally asked the magic question: "would you be able to write a favorable letter of recommendation for me?"
Don't underestimate the importance of asking! No one wants to get blind-sided by a crappy letter. Real life example: "While Postdoc has exceptional potential as a scientist, I feel that Postdoc requires more experience before assuming a faculty position. I believe Postdoc requires one or two more years of research experience before I could recommend Postdoc for a faculty position."
Ouch.
In addition to avoiding such academic prof-blocks, spending 20 or so minutes with your recommenders can help ensure that important aspects of your career as a postdoc/grad student get highlighted. For example, since I was applying for faculty positions at primarily teaching colleges, it was very important to me that my (R1 faculty) letter writers made mention of the numerous lectures I gave for an upper level class.
Anyone else have letter-related suggestions to enlighten the masses?
ms. phd gave some great advice, namely that "It's really important to discuss with your recommenders that they avoid mentioning anything like this, even if you can't think of anything they might be tempted to mention."
I couldn't agree more! When I started getting my job application packet together, the first thing I did was make individual appointments with the faculty I had (already) asked to write letters on my behalf. During these appointments, I went over my CV with them briefly, discussed my career plans, summarized my teaching and research accomplishments (just in case they had forgotten how brilliant I am), and finally asked the magic question: "would you be able to write a favorable letter of recommendation for me?"
Don't underestimate the importance of asking! No one wants to get blind-sided by a crappy letter. Real life example: "While Postdoc has exceptional potential as a scientist, I feel that Postdoc requires more experience before assuming a faculty position. I believe Postdoc requires one or two more years of research experience before I could recommend Postdoc for a faculty position."
Ouch.
In addition to avoiding such academic prof-blocks, spending 20 or so minutes with your recommenders can help ensure that important aspects of your career as a postdoc/grad student get highlighted. For example, since I was applying for faculty positions at primarily teaching colleges, it was very important to me that my (R1 faculty) letter writers made mention of the numerous lectures I gave for an upper level class.
Anyone else have letter-related suggestions to enlighten the masses?
Friday, January 11, 2008
But what about the fathers?
I've heard about this phenomenon (or whatever one might call it) before, but I've never witnessed it until today. What phenomenon am I referring to? The one of, when ticking off a successful female scientist's amazing qualities (in a rec letter, introduction, etc), the list often looks like this: Dr. Female performs groundbreaking research, publishes numerous papers, advises amazing students, teaches the best class ever, AND is a terrific mother. Yet male counterparts' lists of achievements never include mention of fatherhood.
So this all came about because I'm serving as a graduate student representative on a faculty awards committee. (While I'd like to think that this is because I have such a great departmental reputation, I suspect my name came up because The Boss owes the head of the department and/or dean of the college a favor.) I was reading through the nomination packets, which include 6-8 letters of support from other faculty members and current/former students. One of the five nominees is female. The first of her six letters mentioned that she accomplished so much in teaching and research and "was a terrific mother of two, to boot." That raised my eyebrows, but I continued on. Five out of the six remaining letters had some variation of the above!! Did any of the male nominees' (all of whom have children) letters mention their families? No.
Any thoughts on this? I'm sure others have posted about this topic before. I don't know what to make of it. Is it just a commentary on amazing women that balance lots of aspects of their lives, and this is surprising? Why are men being left out?
Have you witnessed this "phenomenon"? What are your thoughts? Are men ever granted the same kudos for raising kids in spite of a career? Is this because they are all slackers? (surely, not.....?)
So this all came about because I'm serving as a graduate student representative on a faculty awards committee. (While I'd like to think that this is because I have such a great departmental reputation, I suspect my name came up because The Boss owes the head of the department and/or dean of the college a favor.) I was reading through the nomination packets, which include 6-8 letters of support from other faculty members and current/former students. One of the five nominees is female. The first of her six letters mentioned that she accomplished so much in teaching and research and "was a terrific mother of two, to boot." That raised my eyebrows, but I continued on. Five out of the six remaining letters had some variation of the above!! Did any of the male nominees' (all of whom have children) letters mention their families? No.
Any thoughts on this? I'm sure others have posted about this topic before. I don't know what to make of it. Is it just a commentary on amazing women that balance lots of aspects of their lives, and this is surprising? Why are men being left out?
Have you witnessed this "phenomenon"? What are your thoughts? Are men ever granted the same kudos for raising kids in spite of a career? Is this because they are all slackers? (surely, not.....?)
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
let kids be kids!
So Supernanny is going on about how parents need to monitor their kids' (aged 11 and 15) usage of the internets.
I think the parents shouldn't be buying their 11-year-old spaghetti-strap tank tops, short skirts, and highlights.
Just sayin'.
I think the parents shouldn't be buying their 11-year-old spaghetti-strap tank tops, short skirts, and highlights.
Just sayin'.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
How to save $$$ in grad school
After being very poor in high school (off at a public boarding school), living literally cent to cent in college, and fighting the red my first year of grad school, I finally have managed to put together a nice little bit of savings. This has come about from a number of reasons. You should keep in mind that LargeUtown has an insanely low cost of living, so I'm not suggesting this would work for everyone. Also, much of this is written with tongue firmly in cheek.
BUT...out-of-state travel aside, here are my tips for Saving Money in Grad School:
1. Help your drinking buddies graduate. My first two years in graduate school, I went out nearly every weekend. This always involved drinks and usually involved food. That shit adds up after awhile. As my friends started graduating and leaving LargeUtown, I started going out less. Sure, there are always new students coming in each year, but the older I get, the busier I get....and very often on the weekends doing laundry, cleaning my apartment, or watching reality TV is more appealing than going out.
2. Work insanely hard. If you work all the time, you won't have the time (or the energy) to do stuff. Stuff often costs money. Nuff said.
3. Have a roommate. Sure, you can't walk around naked all the time (or at least common decency dictates that you shouldn't, assuming you followed #2's instructions), but when it comes to splitting the rent and utilities, you can really free up a lot of that tiny little paycheck you're getting.
4. Ditch the significant other. After Ex dumped me during his therapy (true story. now very funny.), Friday night date night was no longer a weekly (or monthly....or bimonthly) occurrence. I could eat PB&J for dinner without judgement, and I no longer had to pick up the bill for his lazy ass. Monetary translation? Savings of at least 35 bucks a week, sometimes three times that.
What are your secrets for saving money in grad school? Plasma donation? Jelly on the PB&J only every other day?
BUT...out-of-state travel aside, here are my tips for Saving Money in Grad School:
1. Help your drinking buddies graduate. My first two years in graduate school, I went out nearly every weekend. This always involved drinks and usually involved food. That shit adds up after awhile. As my friends started graduating and leaving LargeUtown, I started going out less. Sure, there are always new students coming in each year, but the older I get, the busier I get....and very often on the weekends doing laundry, cleaning my apartment, or watching reality TV is more appealing than going out.
2. Work insanely hard. If you work all the time, you won't have the time (or the energy) to do stuff. Stuff often costs money. Nuff said.
3. Have a roommate. Sure, you can't walk around naked all the time (or at least common decency dictates that you shouldn't, assuming you followed #2's instructions), but when it comes to splitting the rent and utilities, you can really free up a lot of that tiny little paycheck you're getting.
4. Ditch the significant other. After Ex dumped me during his therapy (true story. now very funny.), Friday night date night was no longer a weekly (or monthly....or bimonthly) occurrence. I could eat PB&J for dinner without judgement, and I no longer had to pick up the bill for his lazy ass. Monetary translation? Savings of at least 35 bucks a week, sometimes three times that.
What are your secrets for saving money in grad school? Plasma donation? Jelly on the PB&J only every other day?
Monday, January 7, 2008
brief update, real post tomorrow
Status of '08 job search:
~ School #1: Phone interview in Dec, invited for campus interview in late Jan
~ School #2: Phone interview in Jan, still awaiting word
~ School #3: Invited for campus interview, Feb.
update: school #4: phone interview next week
And...in honor of EcoGeoFemme....
Status of '08 "getting some":
~ Nothing to report.
~ School #1: Phone interview in Dec, invited for campus interview in late Jan
~ School #2: Phone interview in Jan, still awaiting word
~ School #3: Invited for campus interview, Feb.
update: school #4: phone interview next week
And...in honor of EcoGeoFemme....
Status of '08 "getting some":
~ Nothing to report.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Why I don't watch commercials
I have a DVR (like my iPod, I'd probably marry it if I could), so I rarely watch commercials. Earlier this evening, I watched the N.H. debates live, while chopping away at some thesis text (deleting large chunks of text at a time is so depressing). I caught a commercial during the post-debate news for one of those dating websites.
"This new year, put falling in love at the top of your list."
After rolling my eyes, I started thinking about my list of things to do in 2008. Then that got to be a little overwhelming, so I started thinking about the things I want to do before May. Falling in love didn't even make the top five:
1. Write a thesis.
2. Finish volunteer project I committed to back in Sept.
3. Get some (the fact that this is #3 on my list is probably the reason why I've yet to get some lovin' in 2008...yeah, yeah, I know it's only the 6th...but still!).
4. Accept a teaching position I'm happy with.
5. Find a fabulous place to live that includes two bedrooms, washer/dryer hookup, no undergrads, and a large kitchen (all falling within my likely-to-be-underwhelming teaching position / faculty position salary).
What's on the top of your "list"?
(For a post on the fabulousness of making lists, check out Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc)
"This new year, put falling in love at the top of your list."
After rolling my eyes, I started thinking about my list of things to do in 2008. Then that got to be a little overwhelming, so I started thinking about the things I want to do before May. Falling in love didn't even make the top five:
1. Write a thesis.
2. Finish volunteer project I committed to back in Sept.
3. Get some (the fact that this is #3 on my list is probably the reason why I've yet to get some lovin' in 2008...yeah, yeah, I know it's only the 6th...but still!).
4. Accept a teaching position I'm happy with.
5. Find a fabulous place to live that includes two bedrooms, washer/dryer hookup, no undergrads, and a large kitchen (all falling within my likely-to-be-underwhelming teaching position / faculty position salary).
What's on the top of your "list"?
(For a post on the fabulousness of making lists, check out Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc)
Friday, January 4, 2008
It's going to be a long four months...
Today The Boss wanted to meet with each of us individually in order to set goals for 2008.
The Boss started off our meeting by declaring: "Unbalanced, I think it's time for you to start thinking about picking a defense date, maybe April or May."
Now in 2007, I would have been so happy to hear The Boss say that. My response? "Are you fucking kidding me?" (The Boss and I are very free in our language. It's bad, I know.)
The Boss blinked at me in confusion, so I decided to play along.
"Okay, The Boss, I think April would be great."
The Boss: Great! I agree!
U.R.: How about April 24 at 3 pm?
The Boss: Okay! Wait, did we already do this?
U.R.: Yes, The Boss, yes we did.
The Boss: Shit.
Sigh. It's going to be a long year.
The Boss started off our meeting by declaring: "Unbalanced, I think it's time for you to start thinking about picking a defense date, maybe April or May."
Now in 2007, I would have been so happy to hear The Boss say that. My response? "Are you fucking kidding me?" (The Boss and I are very free in our language. It's bad, I know.)
The Boss blinked at me in confusion, so I decided to play along.
"Okay, The Boss, I think April would be great."
The Boss: Great! I agree!
U.R.: How about April 24 at 3 pm?
The Boss: Okay!
U.R.: Yes, The Boss, yes we did.
The Boss: Shit.
Sigh. It's going to be a long year.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Most wonderful time of the year (part 2)
CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS!!! (not my own, obviously)
In honor of this most wonderfully entertaining time, some poetry:
Haiku for a first year
clock ticks on and on
seminar over my head
where's my bingo card?
Firing squad
clapping peters out.
pause: the calm before the storm
questions thrown like stones
Haiku for an nth year
Feeling guilty now.
Should really apply for jobs.
Just came for the food.
In honor of this most wonderfully entertaining time, some poetry:
Haiku for a first year
clock ticks on and on
seminar over my head
where's my bingo card?
Firing squad
clapping peters out.
pause: the calm before the storm
questions thrown like stones
Haiku for an nth year
Feeling guilty now.
Should really apply for jobs.
Just came for the food.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
December googlings
People find my site through a wide range of google terms (some on google and some on google blogsearch).
Some of these are very site-appropriate:
~ cheating the system
~ I plagiarized my paper (now that sounds like a personal problem!)
~ every day should be a holiday
Other search terms are season-appropriate:
~ new year
~ new year play (oh my....times three!)
~ "swedish fish" new year's ever (aw....a person after my own heart)
~ new years reaction
~ meme new year (x5)
But other terms....jeez....I just don't know:
~ don't know much about the bible (wtf!)
~ unbalanced hormones (Ex might agree with ya there....)
~ making out
and my favorite: small penis (seriously...why the hell would you google THAT...and how many pages of bad porn did they have to click through to get to me?)
Happy 2008!!
Some of these are very site-appropriate:
~ cheating the system
~ I plagiarized my paper (now that sounds like a personal problem!)
~ every day should be a holiday
Other search terms are season-appropriate:
~ new year
~ new year play (oh my....times three!)
~ "swedish fish" new year's ever (aw....a person after my own heart)
~ new years reaction
~ meme new year (x5)
But other terms....jeez....I just don't know:
~ don't know much about the bible (wtf!)
~ unbalanced hormones (Ex might agree with ya there....)
~ making out
and my favorite: small penis (seriously...why the hell would you google THAT...and how many pages of bad porn did they have to click through to get to me?)
Happy 2008!!
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