traded Posted April 27, 2011 Posted April 27, 2011 Hey gang. I have been looking for a tenure track faculty position and well.....its rough out there. I had a second interview today (for the 3 finalists) and it didn't really go as well as I would have liked. The college president was a little aloof. Wouldn't even tell me when I might hear. I don't know, I guess I'm hoping for some positive vibes from you guys. Its a rough time all around, I know but damn it after 24 years of education, I wish it weren't so hard. Smoked a BHK54 on my way home and didn't even enjoy it Feel free to share your career woes and the like. As alway moderators, move/delete if you see fit. David
El Presidente Posted April 27, 2011 Posted April 27, 2011 Hey gang.I have been looking for a tenure track faculty position and well.....its rough out there. I had a second interview today (for the 3 finalists) and it didn't really go as well as I would have liked. The college president was a little aloof. Wouldn't even tell me when I might hear. I don't know, I guess I'm hoping for some positive vibes from you guys. Its a rough time all around, I know but damn it after 24 years of education, I wish it weren't so hard. Smoked a BHK54 on my way home and didn't even enjoy it Feel free to share your career woes and the like. As alway moderators, move/delete if you see fit. David David, pardon my ignorance but what is a Tenure Track Faculty position?
traded Posted April 27, 2011 Author Posted April 27, 2011 David, pardon my ignorance but what is a Tenure Track Faculty position? Oh I'm sorry. Its a full time faculty professorship that is "on the track" to tenure in x number of years (4 in my case). Its really the prime position for a professor/college instructor. They are very rare and very hard to get mainly because of the tenure system. Really once you get tenure, its a fairly high paying job for life... d
tmac77 Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 I'm quite surprised that tenured positions still exist in this day and age.
CigarmanTim Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Just read a good book about **** Winters of Easy Company in WWII. His motto was "hang tough". Hang tough brother. It will get better.
fbiguy Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Things are very tough in education here in Texas where I am and I have watched a great many people lose their jobs. Good people too, not the dead weight that needed to be shed. I feel for you as much as I do for them David. Gotta keep your head up and believe that everything happens for a reason. That perfect job is still out there, and you will find it bro!
aes8 Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Not sure what your family situtation is but have you considered teaching in Asia? If possible check into teaching at the university level in Hong Kong. You might be able to get an expat package. I know that is something I will consider in about 10 years after I'm done with my engineering gig. By then Rob should own PCC and I can open up the HK FOH franchise
cigcars Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 *When I do get hired onto a job position I do have and keep such a rebellious streak in me...but it's for the good of the company I'm with when I see how best to bring about what they want (or say they want), and insist on doing it MY way! And of course I don't have to tell you this brings me into constant conflict and head butting with my bosses. I've been called "into the Principle's office" so many times in my job(s) until whenever they approach me my instant response is, "What did I do NOW?!" Of course, I last at my job(s) for years and years at a time! They won't get rid of me!
cigcars Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Oh I'm sorry. Its a full time faculty professorship that is "on the track" to tenure in x number of years (4 in my case). Its really the prime position for a professor/college instructor. They are very rare and very hard to get mainly because of the tenure system. Really once you get tenure, its a fairly high paying job for life...d *Keep the faith, d. If it's for you, you will get it. Don't come on too desparate, scares 'em off. Best way to get onto a job you want is to get before the top man (or woman?) in charge and convince them that you'll bring the best outcome for them and for the company. Talk about various aspects of the position and what kind of perks and delights you will bring for them once aboard. Talk about how you don't concern yourself with "quittin' time" or "breaks" but are the kind of person concerned about accomplishing the goals or the mission. Has worked for me. And again, if it's for you, you'll get it. Good luck, fellow brother of the leaf (botl)!
dicko Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 If it makes you feel any better I am struggling finding a grad job for next year. got an interview monday week so fingers crossed. something will come up for you mate!
Peter11216 Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Sorry to hear about your woes. This might not help, but I'll say it anyways: academia is a racket. Obviously, that might be insulting to you, since you're looking for work in an academic position. However, if you don't get this position it is zero reflection on you. I know this isn't perfectly true for all fields, but there's really no logic to who does and doesn't get tenure or the tenure track jobs. In my experience, universities seem to go out of there way to pick the worse candidate. So quite honestly, if you are having trouble getting a position that probably means you are a decent guy, good teacher, and smarter than your competition. They probably want some ass who is going to crank out a lot of papers and suck up. I was a student in a department that hired a girl, tenure track, who (I swear I'm not kidding) had trouble with the limited arithmetic needed for her work, and was confused about basic statistics concepts. A calculator more-or-less solves the first problem, but the second was a major headache for anyone trying to have a discussion with her about how to interpret experimental results. Try to remember that you are the one doing good for the college, or university. You are the one who is going to be doing the work, and teaching the students. The administrators and tenured faculty should be trying to recruit you, and if they aren't being cool with you then they are assholes. This is probably a mix of positive and negative vibes, hopefully more of the former. The college president sounds like a jerk. When you do get the job, forget all that stuff I said in the beginning . . . Best, Pete Hey gang.I have been looking for a tenure track faculty position and well.....its rough out there. I had a second interview today (for the 3 finalists) and it didn't really go as well as I would have liked. The college president was a little aloof. Wouldn't even tell me when I might hear. I don't know, I guess I'm hoping for some positive vibes from you guys. Its a rough time all around, I know but damn it after 24 years of education, I wish it weren't so hard. Smoked a BHK54 on my way home and didn't even enjoy it Feel free to share your career woes and the like. As alway moderators, move/delete if you see fit. David
cigcars Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 ...and when you DO get a tenured position and experience what Petrus was talking about, you'll be doing some serious soul-searching about how not to become an embittered man when you go through: watching someone (or your being) faithful to your job; giving NO trouble to your supervisors; being on time, in fact early...not only leaving last, but finding yourself voluntarily assisting and cleaning up somebody else's screwed up crap, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on...and when you finally have to call in sick - just once - or have a minor mishap that could have been handled a tad better, you're written up - or fired.] [And: when you notice somebody else at your same job: Late everyday; won't half-ass do their job; other employees HATE having to work with them; won't accomplish company mission; out sick every other day -- the company just loves them to death! (For the folks out there who are reading this, you're thinking of three people on your job right now who fit this description!) *If you're a regular viewer of "The Simpsons", you may recall that episode of an idealistic young worker who'd just gotten hired at the plant. He watched with so much growing disdain and disgust at Homer's slack, lazy, half-assed, not really knowing what the he was doing, etc. etc. manner of work that he internalized it to the point of imitating him on the job because Homer apparently never got in any real trouble because of it...and the poor young new hire got himself accidently killed. Homer was one of the truly mournful attendees at the young idealistic worker's funeral. *** This rather long-winded speech to you, my dear d is - don't be that guy. *** While one of the other reasons these "other types" last on their job so long is when they really screw up and their company can't cover up for them anymore, they STILL retain their positions because: they have so much dirt on each other until if fired they threaten to spill the beans on their superiors and others! HAVE A NICE DAY!
traded Posted April 30, 2011 Author Posted April 30, 2011 Hey guys, I just wanted to share an update. One of the vice presidents of the college (one of the ones from my second interview) emailed and wants to meet in person next wednesday. He wouldn't call me in to tell me i didn't get the job right???!!!?!?? D
cigcars Posted April 30, 2011 Posted April 30, 2011 *HEY! That's a good sign. He wants to meet and feel you out. Not only to see what you know and how you come across, but if you're going to be somebody everyone's comfortable with around the water cooler, and so on. Best of wishes to you, my friend. We are all hoping it all works out for you and for your great success!
traded Posted May 3, 2011 Author Posted May 3, 2011 I like this strategy here: Good luck! oh yeah topsy turvy that mofo. HAHA. thanks for the laugh. I love that show. So my meeting is in 26 hrs. lets see how it goes. david
traded Posted May 11, 2011 Author Posted May 11, 2011 Final Update!!! I got the job offer a minute ago. Im so happy. I wanted to thank you all for your kind and helpful perspectives. Im gonna smoke my first Cohiba GR tonight to celebrate. David
First Lady Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Fantastic honey so glad you got the job did you drop a hint you are a member of a fantastic cigar forum??
Hugomarink Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Final Update!!!I got the job offer a minute ago. Im so happy. I wanted to thank you all for your kind and helpful perspectives. Im gonna smoke my first Cohiba GR tonight to celebrate. David Congrats!!! What is your field, if you don't mind me asking?
khomeinist Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Congrats. Steer clear of the politics. Advice from a fellow academic. lol
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