tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post6384244788517382527..comments2024-02-14T08:24:47.509-06:00Comments on On the Fence: Stepping Outside the MazeE.W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17106082488141824066noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-64904000551464404162017-12-22T08:27:23.618-06:002017-12-22T08:27:23.618-06:00The Romance Room is a blog that romance readers &a... The Romance Room is a blog that romance readers & writers can come to find out what's new in romance releases. <a href="http://wroughtironfenceinstallatio.beep.com/what-a-fence-contractor-has-to-say-about-fences-in-a-rainy-zone-2017-09-17.htm" rel="nofollow">privacy fence installation cost</a><br /><br />jhonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08258690520992269231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-30893516788635533852010-11-09T11:38:49.795-06:002010-11-09T11:38:49.795-06:00Hey, WorstProfEver! I love your blog. I cannot WAI...Hey, WorstProfEver! I love your blog. I cannot WAIT to see you get a fabulous tech job. You are a trail-blazer and an inspiration. (Probably shoulda said this on your blog. I will, one of these days). <br /><br />You're exactly right that we shouldn't care what other academics think. But I think it's also dangerous to feel bad about one's vulnerability to the judgment of others. Academia spends an inordinate amount of time ranking its acolytes against one another. We have been socialized to care deeply what our colleagues say about us. <br /><br />Learning not to care is an achievement in itself, as is learning to distinguish what YOU value and want as opposed to what the academy values and assumes you want. <br /><br />Paradoxically, I have gained some peace by not beating myself up for feeling a pang when I think about what my former colleagues are saying about me. Feeling bad about feeling bad is beyond silly!Caitlinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-60969456733650859872010-11-07T08:01:18.643-06:002010-11-07T08:01:18.643-06:00I'm really enjoying reading the comments here....I'm really enjoying reading the comments here. It seems that we all have our internal demons to deal with and external worries to consider (primarily in the form of disapproving advisors) when looking for academic and non-academic jobs. <br /><br />The point Caitlin's advisor made about "low self esteem" is interesting. You'd think it would be the opposite case: that if a PhD decided not to apply for an academic position, she would be doing so precisely because she thought she could find a better professional gig elsewhere. But the obsession with staying in academe at all costs is so intense among those firmly ensconced in the ivory tower; these "common sense" things--like actually enjoying your job and place of residence--are not taken into consideration. <br /><br />I think it's even harder when you're ABD and still modestly optimistic about your job prospects in academe. Then it's even easier to fold to pressure or daydream that a one-year VAP or postdoc really will "make" your career. Who knows? Maybe it will. But I think the smartest thing to do is NOT to commit too intensely to any career path, despite sunk costs. Because you never know what opportunities you might be missing by fixating solely on one option.E.W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106082488141824066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-16763254826783636732010-11-06T23:39:31.446-05:002010-11-06T23:39:31.446-05:00Hi -- I just found your blog and I really apprecia...Hi -- I just found your blog and I really appreciate this post. I'm still working on my dissertation, getting towards the end of my current fellowship, and trying to figure out a post-academic plan. <br /><br />I find myself trolling openings for both academic posts and opportunities outside academe, and fellowships of all kinds. And it's weird, I sometimes feel simultaneously gluttonous (Google stalking every possible job center I can find for every possibly relevant professional organization, etc.) but at the same time trying to be selective (realistic?) about what I think (want?) to be a good fit. <br /><br />Going in circles, clearly. =)alternative phdhttp://alternativephd.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-86717995458354133222010-11-06T15:15:29.812-05:002010-11-06T15:15:29.812-05:00I'm just gonna quote Richard Feynman/his wife ...I'm just gonna quote Richard Feynman/his wife on this one "What do you care what other people think?"<br /><br />Easier said than done, I admit, and it's true that the level of denial in academia has reached fever pitch -- how else to explain 'disappoinment' with what can only be called a healthy life choice??<br /><br />The best thing I ever did was give up on my advisors -- and anyone else who gave me guff about my decision -- and start cultivating a deliberately non-academic, and even non-teacher network. <br /><br />But yes, I agree with Caitlin: we're too good for these crappy jobs, and good luck to all of us.WorstProfEverhttp://www.worstprofessorever.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-51056643912193321712010-11-06T12:58:26.357-05:002010-11-06T12:58:26.357-05:00Eliza, I think that's an important achievement...Eliza, I think that's an important achievement: to declare, if only to yourself, that there are some things that you won't sacrifice for the sake of being an academic. And to take action on it in the form of refusing to waste time applying for the gigs that would compromise one's other life goals. <br />I arrived at this realization in last year's job cycle. My advisor persists in thinking that my decision to stop applying to everything that moves is a manifestation of low self esteem (that is, she thinks I'm telling myself "I wouldn't get it anyway, so why apply?"). Yet for me it's an assertion of independence: I REFUSE to be held hostage by the decision I made ten years ago to get a PhD, and to make my decisions based on what my peers and mentors think I should do. It's not because I think I'm not good enough: I actually think I'm too *good* for a lot of those lousy jobs. <br />True, I don't have a permanent new gig yet. But finally having my priorities straight feels like such an accomplishment. <br />My heart goes out to all of us as we navigate this transition.Caitlinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-30350558758848986552010-11-05T08:15:04.044-05:002010-11-05T08:15:04.044-05:00Thanks for your message, KT. Little known fact abo...Thanks for your message, KT. Little known fact about me: I'm actually in a similar situation and have been following my employed partner around for a while now (plus we have kids). We’ve split up a few times in order for both of us to take fellowships in separate locations but our #1 goal is to find a place—soon!—where we can both be happily employed and settled. And as you well know, it's pretty difficult to find full-time academic employment when you're limited geographically. <br /><br />Several female friends of mine are currently adjuncting for low pay in order to stay in the game, and they, too, really enjoy teaching. But some are wondering if it's worth it in the long run. We'd all like to stay in academe, ideally, but would also like to have fulfilling and financially rewarding careers. It seems like adjuncting is a viable short-term option, in terms of continuing to put lines on the CV, but if one is thinking strategically, it should be accompanied by other forms of nonacademic work as well.E.W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17106082488141824066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7333162355327458803.post-63857422225182798492010-11-04T16:17:41.875-05:002010-11-04T16:17:41.875-05:00I hear you - I am also a female PhD who has severa...I hear you - I am also a female PhD who has several years of solid teaching experience. After moving to a new area to follow my spouse's position, and a disheartening job search locally, I am having strong doubts about remaining in academia. I've already been working part-time at a place that only requires a high school education, and have found it to be surprisingly refreshing and extremely personally rewarding.<br /><br />Yet there is the mindset, so carefully cultivated by our mentors and peers during grad school, that we should attain academic positions. I do greatly enjoy teaching and hope to do that in one form or another in the future, but I am getting to the point where I am tired of jumping through hoops to acheieve an academic position.<br /><br />For now my plan is to continue to explore my options in academia for the next year. To do this, I am accepting a 1-semester adjunct position recently offered to me at a local college. Through this I plan to network, discover future potential opportunities, and hopefully decide where I want to go from here. However, this decision comes at a strong cost, as the salary for the adjunct position is very very very low. In fact when I take into account teaching prep time in addition to in-class hours, the position will pay only slightly above minimum wage. Is it worth it? Only time will tell.<br /><br />Best of luck to you on your search! I only recently stumbled upon your blog, and can very much relate to your situation.KTnoreply@blogger.com