Got a call replying to yesterday’s e-mail from the school I really thought would hire me-- all signs were very positive. Apparently in the end some member of the committee was adamant about hiring someone from the other (dominant) specialty in the subfield. I am very surprised and disheartened. Sigh. So it looks like I might just be teaching my old advisor’s classes while he’s out on sabbatical next year-- not a bad worst case scenario, but . . . meh. It’s like dating (I hated dating).
But we did have some successful stories this year on the board, right? Check in! Cheer me up!
Oh, oh, and, I should add, the committee chair must have forgotten that I’m on the west coast and called at 7 AM waking me from a deep comfortable sleep-- adding insult to injury, hah. What a way to start the day.
Um… is it a successful story if all of the academic jobs farted in your general direction, and you ended up taking a corporate job for twice the salary?
If so, I guess I’m a success story. I’m happy to be making oodles of cash, I’m significantly less than happy that I’ll have to keep regular office hours.
There were 14 openings that were even remotely in my area. I applied for all, I was considered by none.
Sorry about that, capybara. That sucks. Keep your chin up. Better luck next time - we’re pulling for you!
I’ve got good news: I got a tenure-track job (finally!), so I’ll be making 50% more money for teaching 50% fewer classes. No more freeway-flying!
Manatee-- how long were you on the market, if I may ask? Congratulations!
I finished my degree five years ago, but I only had two years of applying pretty hardcore. Two years I kind of half-heartedly floated a few applications, and I took one year off from searching.
Like Manatee I also secured a T-T job. It was a good year in my field - lots of openings. capybara, best of luck in your search. If it’s true misery loves company, there are some horror stories over at the Chronicle of Higher Education message boards…
I ended up with a one-year visiting position. Not bad at all, considering that it’s at the type of school that I want to teach at and they’re going to be hiring for tenure-track in the fall, but a part of me keeps thinking, “My God, I have to do this again?” (It has been a long and exhausting year – apparently I’m quite good at getting my foot in the door and equally good at removing it from the door and inserting it in my mouth instead once I get an actual interview, so many interviews, not much in the way of success.)
BTW, I was one of the CHE’s “Job Diary” columnists this year, so you can read all about my adventures here.
Hey Fretful, I read those diaries! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I have a friend doing a postdoc at UNC Chapel Hill. He’s in the Ed psych department, though.
Cool! I’m afraid I don’t know anybody in ed psych (at least to the best of my knowledge).