|
Post by drama on Oct 6, 2012 16:24:53 GMT -5
Not sure where to post this, sorry moderators if I'm off.
This is my second year on the market, I'm ABD but have a solid defense date scheduled. I've read everything about how the soc job market is beginning to improve, but read just as much about how the market is now saturated with PhDs.
Just got into a fight with my partner about all of this. My point was simply that I am not too confident I will get a job this year. It wasn't said to be self-deprecating or defeatist, just realistic. My partner thinks that I'll never be satisfied, even when I get my PhD, or a killer job, or those high status pubs/grants/awards/etc.
Anyone else feeling this? Just wanting to vent. Thanks for reading.
|
|
|
Post by empathy on Oct 6, 2012 16:41:00 GMT -5
I'm in a similar position, though it's my first time on the market. And I've had similar conversations with my partner, who is understanding but tends to assume I am being self-deprecating.
I don't really have any insights. Just wanted to offer empathy where it sounds needed.
Here's hoping we are both wrong and wind up happily employed in the end.
|
|
|
Post by feelya on Oct 6, 2012 16:50:55 GMT -5
I am currently in a tenure track position at a research university, but I would like to "move up" in quality to a higher ranked university where I would have access to some senior level mentorship and better resources.
I went on the market lightly last year and got no bites. I am on again this year (already applied to about 20 schools). I have double digit publications (lead or solo-authored on most of them). Half of my pubs are in high impact journals (3.00-5.00 JCR rankings, although not all in sociology journals). I haven't heard a peep out of any of the schools to which I applied (except for the standard emails sent to all applicants).
I'm telling you all this to say that I am frustrated and doubtful as well. A couple of years ago I thought all I had to do was work hard, publish a lot, and eventually a higher ranked school would want me. More and more every day, I really think that this is all about connections. I see ABDs with only one publication (usually coauthored with their dissertation committee members) getting interviews at schools where I applied. I have the experience and more publications, but they have the letter writers with the connections. This probably sounds like sour grapes, but I wanted to empathize that I am doubtful about my prospects too.
|
|
|
Post by not what you think on Oct 7, 2012 10:33:52 GMT -5
This is my fifth year on the job market and first time with ph.d. in hand. I have no sole authored publications in a peer reviewed journal but a handful of essays in edited collections, etc. The chair of my diss is a big deal in my relative field but I don't come from a top 10 program.
I have landed a job every single year I've been on the market. 2 fellowships, 2 visiting positions. The first job I got was due to me being the "best fit" and substantially more qualified than other applicants -which I believe is due to how late in the season the ad came out. The second place I was hired I was an excellent fit - did exactly what the ad was looking for - and, I used a friend in my professional network to put in a word on my behalf with the hiring committee. How much this did/didn't help I don't know because I was told by many people I met that my cover letter "spoke to them" - what I interpret again as another "best fit." The following two jobs were sort of the same story. In other words, I happened to fit what these places were looking for. I might not have had the most publications or the most stellar record, but they were interested in what I had to offer.
That being said, these have all been short term, temporary positions and, in retrospect, what most ABDs or recently minted Ph.D.'s should expect in this job market. It is rare for people from the get go to land tenure-track positions at research universities or slacs. Period.
Aside from the well-connected superstars, most ph.d.'s take short term positions with high teaching loads for their first few appointments, some in more unsavory locations than others. The reality, at least from my position, is to evaluate: (1) what you're willing to do to publish as much as possible (2) where you are willing to live - and how often you are willing to relocate (3) how much you are willing to teach (4) and, what types of institutions you are willing to take a job at - including community colleges. Honestly answering these questions will provide you with information as to whether or not an academic job is the right path. It is not the only path for soc ph.d.'s, even for those of us who do qualitative work.
IMO- Unless you are a workaholic, have a partner who does all of the household and emotional labor, and/or have way too much pride, the quality of life that many academic jobs have to offer is simply undesirable. Start thinking of plans b, c, and d.
|
|
|
Post by um yeah on Oct 9, 2012 15:27:45 GMT -5
I have 2 lead-authored and 2 solo-authored pubs in top journals in my area, great recommendations, and plenty of teaching experience. So far, I've been passed over by Harvard, Michigan, Texas, Yale, Penn State and even schools like SUNY Buffalo. Either I have no idea that I'm an idiot, or this is indeed a tough market. Good luck to all!
|
|
|
Post by feelya on Oct 9, 2012 16:08:08 GMT -5
I have also been passed over by Texas, Michigan, Penn State, and Buffalo. I didn't even apply to those other places you mentioned. I can't figure out what's going on. :-(
|
|
|
Post by michigan on Oct 9, 2012 16:23:57 GMT -5
How do you know you have been passed over by Michigan? The latest info suggests no one has been contacted yet.
|
|
|
Post by yale on Oct 9, 2012 16:38:11 GMT -5
has yale contacted anyone? how do you know you are out there?
|
|
|
Post by yalesout on Oct 9, 2012 16:41:58 GMT -5
Yale's calendar suggests they have their first job talk scheduled tomorrow (http://www.yale.edu/sociology/calendar.html) and the wisdom on the board seems to be that this search was actually restricted to associate +
|
|
|
Post by senior on Oct 9, 2012 16:42:47 GMT -5
Don't hold your breath waiting for Yale. Yale is making a senior hire. They have scheduled at least one job talk to fill the position. Unless you are an established tenured faculty member, Yale is not going to look at you.
|
|
|
Post by huh on Oct 9, 2012 18:08:27 GMT -5
I have also been passed over by Texas, Michigan, Penn State, and Buffalo. I didn't even apply to those other places you mentioned. I can't figure out what's going on. :-( Um, won't over 99 percent of folks on the job market get passed over by these schools?
|
|
|
Post by surebut on Oct 9, 2012 18:14:19 GMT -5
Sure, but I can't imagine that 99% of the people on the market have double digit publications in highly ranked journals.
|
|
|
Post by 99 on Oct 9, 2012 19:31:14 GMT -5
99% te he. te he he. Surprise, it's here too.
|
|
|
Post by shite on Oct 9, 2012 19:34:43 GMT -5
Maybe you should write SUNY Buffalo a strongly worded letter. Don't they know who you are?
|
|
|
Post by joiningin on Oct 9, 2012 19:45:57 GMT -5
I seem to have also been passed over by several schools already, despite having a strong vita, and good connections and letters. Tough market...again. I have been on the market several years now. It just never seems to make any sense.
|
|