Monday, March 18, 2024

On professional trajectories (3 of 3): On planning for tenure-track jobs.

Recently I saw two observations about planning for tenure-track jobs.

Like, one person was reflecting that timing is super important, like you finishing right at the right moment right when a job becomes open.

And, someone else was saying that they had received professorial advice that basically you have to wait for someone somewhere to die, otherwise there's no permanent employment.

Just a world of difference from back two decades ago when I embarked on that path, back when you had to make sure you were at a tippy-top program and did a bit extra (a peer-reviewed article, designing a sexy course or two).

Why in heavens would you ever want to put time and energy into this "profession" now, unless as a respite from sh*ttier jobs somewhere else and a hope you could maybe jag over into another career after having fun? 

And, that's more of a vacation, not a profession at all.

It's done, just an ignoble death where the remaining tenured folk continue their circle jerk till the heart of the last one stops and they've all dropped dead.

"Here, spend six or seven or eight years, and maybe hope that it'll be timed right on the other end, c'mon, try to join us!"

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