Pondering a move

I said back in June that I wasn't going to go on the job market.

While N.A. and I didn't officially go to market, we came awfully close. Like, close enough that I had a cover letter drafted. Close enough that we had calculated how much money we would likely lose on the house.

Close enough for me to get excited about the possibilities.

I've had a lot of blog topics bouncing around in my head, but I haven't had the opportunity to give any time to formulize them. No energy.

Now that I'm past the great Job Scare of 2010, I should be more of a presence around here. Stay tuned for posts on such topics as academic accommodations, cheating (again. sigh.), workload, crappity crap, research with undergrads, and boobs. Yes, boobs.

Transferring tenure

As I approach the one year mark on the tenure-track, I'm already keeping an eye out for other opportunities. How sad is that?

A whole host of Unbloggable Issues have come up here at PermaU--some of which are not unique to my school, some of which are.

Unless something drastic happens before September, I'm not looking to go on the market (anyone else break out into hives at the mention of That Word?) for 2011-2012.

But.

I'm not sure what I'll do in the next few years. Strike that. Not sure what N.A. and I will do in the next few years. (ah, the lovely two-body problem potentially rears its sticky head.)

The question is, is it better to get tenure here and then try to transfer it? I know this happens at R1s, but has anyone heard of this happening at primarily undergraduate institutions?

Googling candidates

The hiring process is not fun on either side. On hiring committees, opinions often clash. Feelings get hurt when there is talk of degree superiority. Gloom descends on the department when offers are turned down.

We all know the long list of forbidden interview topics. You don't want to gain information that might lead to discrimination.

But what about google?


Is it kosher to google a candidate to check the CV? What about if you stumble on their blog? Or a twitter feed?

If you look them up on Facebook and see that their profile picture is from their wedding, is it now common knowledge that they are married?


In this age of too much information, where is the line in the hiring process?

Should I stay or should I go?

Historically, my big life decisions have not required me to select from just one of two choices; I have not met many proverbial forks in the road... more like sporks. For example, when I decided to go to graduate school, I knew I had the option of many disciplines. I also knew that I could easily change my mind at any point and leave. If LargeU ended up not being a good fit, I could (with minimal pain), pull up roots and switch to another program or school.

Likewise, when I decided to accept the Visiting Ass faculty position at TempColleg, I knew that I wasn't risking much: visiting positions are becoming more and more common (woohoo! Teaching postdoc, anyone?), so I wasn't worried about the job becoming a black mark on my CV. If I hated it, it was only nine months. If I liked it, bonus points.

So in recent months, I've been exploring new territory. I had to decide whether to go back on the active job market or continue on for another year at TempCollege. I chose to not put out any applications. The Boss was terribly disappointed that I was closing the door on all potential opportunities. The argument was made that I could leverage any tenure-track offers to try to gain a position at N.A.'s institution.

Now, a door has opened at N.A.'s institution. Would I still have this option if I had put out applications in September? No. In November? Maybe, but it would have been very interesting when it came time to do interviews.

So I guess in my case, it appear that by closing the door to other tenure-track possibilities, I have opened a (teeny, tiny) door to a potential position that would put me in the same city as N.A. Stay tuned for updates on my two-body situation!

scientiae-carnival

happy birthday to me

Somewhere along the way, I completely missed my blog's birthday! So happy birthday to unbalanced reaction.

I started this blog during the start of my job application process. Although I never expected (or wanted) to end up in a visiting position, here I am. It couldn't be a better fit for me, both professionally and personally. My collegues are wonderfully supportive, my students are (mostly) open-minded and hardworking, and the whole environment is very intellectually stimulating for me. Although it sucks being so far away from N.A., if I hadn't taken this job, I would have accepted a tenure-track (or instructor--yikes) position even further away from N.A. Then we'd have the ultimate two-body problem: who gives up their TT position for the other?

Right now, we're trying to figure out the best job situation for me. Slowly, things seem to be falling into place. I haven't put any official applications out yet, and it's hard to get motivated to put out job applications for places far away from N.A. I know that it is important to cast a wide net as well as get leverage from offers (therefore putting pressure on institutions in N.A.'s area). I just hate wasting my own time (and that of letter writers) if I just end up staying here at TempCollege for another year or obtaining a job in N.A.'s area.

At any rate, stay posted! Who knows what unbalanced reaction's second year will bring?

The Trailing Spouse

Trailing Spouse: n. The person in a relationship that gives up their job to follow their better half to a new place (often many states away) where their better half already has a job.


10 years ago, I was applying to colleges.

5 years ago, I was selecting a research group.

3 years ago, I was finally an official Ph.D. candidate.

A year ago, I was sending off my first academic job applications.


None of these decisions were made for anyone else but me. I didn't consider geographic location or someone else's feelings. The people that I dated at the time I knew (deep down) were temporary missteps.

So flashforward to today. Today I'm in the enviable position of being in love. Aw. How sweet. I'm not finished.

As a result of this sweet, sweet love, I'm in the unenviable position of trying to find a tenure-track job close to N.A....who already has a tenure-track job.

Although I do tend to put others' needs ahead of my own, I'm not used to taking others into consideration when it comes to major life decisions. Sure, I could just cast a super-wide net, snag a job in another state, and force N.A. to choose between his awesome job and me.

Yeah. Not going to do that.

Hopefully, a year from now, I'll be blogging with NA by my side. We both have tenure-track jobs, and I don't have a commute.


Isn't it great how love brings out buckets of blind optimism?

"One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important." B. Russell

Many of you have made excellent comments on my happiness in grad school? post. I'm going to write up a summary / response post later this week, but I thought I'd do a brief update on my job search process (since several of you asked). So feel free to add your two cents to the discussion before Friday!

This time tomorrow, my contract papers will hopefully be flying back to my new employer. I'll be accepting a faculty position at a SLAC (small liberal arts college) in a far away state. (I'll post more on that job and why I took it later.) I've had several other offers, a handful of rejections, and am still getting requests for interviews (just turned down one today, actually). After I've John Hancocked my contract, I'll of course contact the remaining schools and withdraw my application.

More on what I'll do about The Boy (from now on referred to as non-asshole, or N.A.) later.

An open letter to search committees everywhere

Dear Search Committee,

Please please please do not schedule breakfasts before 8 am. 7:00 am breakfasts mean that the candidate is getting up at least by 6:00 am (probably more like 5:30 am), and this is after a day of travel and/or meetings with all of you, the Dean, HR representatives, departmental secretaries, librarians, the school mascot, etc, etc.

(And the school that scheduled the 5:45 breakfast: shame on you!)

8:00 am breakfasts are more humane. A breakfast starting at 9 am is pure heaven.


Signed,

Exhausted Faculty Candidate

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

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?

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?

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.

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)

End of the year meme!

EcoGeoFemme at The Happy Scientist and ScienceGirl at curiosity killed the cat tagged me for this meme.

1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Yes!! As of today, I have one campus interview and one phone interview planned for Jan. I'm hoping I'll hear back from my outstanding applications in the coming weeks.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I loved EcoGeoFemme's response: "I'm always looking for new friends, especially women." From now until I leave LargeUtown in Juneish, I'm absolutely NOT looking for a relationship. (I'm not ruling out "boys for fun", however.) Focusing on myself this last year has been fantastic.

3. New house?
no. I will rent for the first year, until I feel out my new job and/or scope out the area.

4. What will you do differently in 08?
Date, like for reals! Like go out to dinners and stuff. Be wined and dined. And not by sucky people.

5. New Years resolution?
I very much don't like resolutions.... that said, I really need to get my IRA going (I know, I know!)

6. What will you not be doing in 08?
Hmm....well...at the rate that my (nonexistent) love life is going....

7. Any trips planned?
Yes! To Deutschland in the spring, to Various States for interviews in JanFeb (I hope), and a possible road trip with Mr. Bear after we both get doctored (teehee!) from LargeU and WarmU, respectively.

8. Wedding plans?
Gah, I hope not. Certainly not my own. I've got at least until 35....or was it 28?) before I invoke Back-up Marriage Plan with Mr. Bear.

9. Major thing on your calendar?
Thesis defense! Becoming Dr. Reaction!

10. What can’t you wait for?
To graduate.

11. What would you like to see happen differently?
Hmmm....not really sure.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?
I'll be going to church more. It's hard here in LargeUtown because people are either bible-beaters or eye-rollers. It's difficult to find middle ground.

13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
Teehee. I didn't think I'd be as introspective as I was.

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
(would anyone actually say no?) Of course.

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
Absolutely. Somehow I don't think my usual hoodie-with-jeans look will fly in a TT position.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Heck no! I will maintain my social drinking status. :-)

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Yes. Dad and I are back to speaking (posts later, I'm sure)

18. Will you do charity work?
I'll continue to do science volunteering and donate to my favorite charities.

19. Will you go to bars?
I'm a grad student, aren't I?

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
Of course! I'm a southern gal, after all! (Didja guess that one??)

21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
yes.

22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
A lot! I've become ready to get my Ph.D. and move on to the next phase in my life. This time last year, I really didn't think I'd be ready to leave in 2008. I've also improved the balance between work and play. I'm still a semi-neurotic workaholic, but I sometimes take Sundays off.

23. Do you plan on having a child?
OMG, no! Not that there would be a possibility, if the last bit of 07 is any indication (see #6).

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Yes, but I don't classify casual relationships as friendships. So those that are friends (vs. the bazillion LargeUtown "acquaintances"...like people that I'll drink with, watch football with, etc etc but not housesit for or drive to nearby state airport)

25. Major lifestyle changes?
Hopefully a faculty teaching job. Preferably somewhere warm. Possible big purchases: new car.

26. Will you be moving?
yessssssss!

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?
I'm going to take more vacation time. In 2007, I took six days off in the summer to travel to central america, and nine days off for Christmas. That is not. cool. Already for 2008, I will be traveling home twice in the spring for graduations and going to Germany for a week. Post-LargeUtown, I hope to do a wine country trip and a possible road trip to the Dakotas....but those depend on Mr. Bear.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Not sure. Definitely football with champagne. Beyond ~10:30 remains to be determined.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Not anyone I know, unless there will be a midnight surprise visit to LargeUtown....but I dislike surprises.

30. One wish for 08?
Fall in love with someone in same zip code (say it with me now: awwwwwww).

If you decide to do this lovely meme, please let me know so I am sure to check it out! Happy 2008, all!


(yes, I am aware that I have excessively! used! exclamation points! in this post. Not sure why.

Single Grad Female seeks new year's play

It's no secret that I usually date sucky men. (Case in point: Ex broke up with me in front of his therapist. Seriously.) So I spent 2007 single but occasionally having fun with a boy or two (erm...not at the same time).

It's been great not having to concern myself with a two-body problem while I look for faculty positions. I get to eat whatever I want (woohoo, shrimp raman! Yay breakfast of swiss miss rolls!) without any chiding (well, not in person anyways). And I always get the remote.

Recently I've been reconsidering the benefits of a boyfriend. LargeUtown gets very cold at night, so it sure would be nice to have someone to warm me up. There's something to be said for having someone to tuck you in when you're sick (which "fun boys" are no good for).

But the real kicker is the impending "holiday" of New Year's Eve.

Let's get real. New Year's Eve is good for two things: making out with your significant other or making out with a random hottie. Not having an SO or any readily available single hotties (pickings are slim in LargeUtown as I require a potential make out partner to be older than me and most boys fitting that high standard are already coupled) means that NYE is NSF. (NSF = not so fun....although I'm sure many of you saw that acronym and thought "crap! upcoming grant deadline!)


What do you think? Is NYE truly just for couples?


Ultimately it probably won't matter: there are bowl games playing until 11 that will likely result in me being too drunk to care about NYE anyways! ;)

I might get a job after all!

So a little bit ago I had my first phone interview, which was a little ahead of schedule for my discipline. I was surprisingly nervous, so I made sure to read up on the school, the department, and all the resources available to faculty. It paid off because the seven-person committee (7! people! Is this standard??) asked a few very specific questions that I was able to nail because of my preparation (score 1 for semi-neurotic people everywhere!).

The next day they called me back to tell me I made it to the next round, so in January this school will become my first site visit. I'm excited because although it's not a part of the country that I ever, ever thought I'd end up in, I've actually become quite excited about the school. There are a lot of resources available to instructors, and the classrooms have all the latest technology. Did I mention that class sizes, even for introductory ones, are <30?

Hopefully this will be the first of several interviews!

Diving right in

On Tuesday I entered into (yet another) rite of passage for graduate students: I applied for my first job. Jobs, I should say. Three of 'em. I carefully scribed the addresses onto the Priority Mail envelopes, checking the zip codes no less than three times. I flicked through the packets to ensure that all the paperwork was accounted for (cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy, and transcripts). I delicately slid the pages into the envelopes, careful not to bend the pages (and I just as carefully slid them out, rechecked the pages, and reslid them back in). I even made sure to buy confirmation stickers so I would know the exact time of their arrival. The fluorescent green tracking number tabs were filed away for safekeeping.

This morning I pulled out my "applied for" folder and navigated to usps.com. One of my applications arrived in a southern state yesterday morning, a northeast bound app arrived at 10 am, and my third application was at the processing facility in Spokane, WA.

The latter would have been super if but for one small detail-- I didn't apply to a state bordering British Columbia. No, it was much closer to, say, Ontario.

And I live in the middle of the country.

Sigh.

While I'm (fairly) certain that the postal service will soon realize that my app was put on the wrong plane, train, or automobile, I can't help but worry: is this a sign of how this job application process will go?