SLACs and Publications

[netizen]

The job market has changed so fast that it's hard for me and many of my friends to get a sense of where we have realistic chances. I'm hoping that some of you have experience with liberal arts colleges, either selective or less selective, and can shed some light on their weeding processes with respect to publication record. We could look at the cvs of recent hires, but I'm more curious about the process: are LAC hiring committees, like universities, making initial cuts based on publication quality and quantity standards? If not, how do they think about research and our ideas during the process?

Let's assume that for these schools, teaching and a commitment to mentoring/service are key and the candidates being considered are all well-qualified in those respects. Let's also assume that some of us are genuinely a good fit for the different types of institutions. How do publications play a role, if at all?

[slacer]

To think about qualifications with for a liberal arts job, we shouldn't assume teaching, service, and fit are all there. It's going to be one integrated package that your publications are considered in.

That said, the three most important things SLAC's likely consider are (in order of importance): fit, research, teaching.

1. Fit: This the most important thing. LACs have small departments. They need what they need, without much wiggle room. In a department of five people, you can't have two who do demography, etc. So fitting their needs is the most important thing, and if it's not obvious the fit should be made clear in your letter.

2. Research: tenure standards at top SLACs are creeping up and starting to look more like research universities. So they'll want to see that you can publish (ie you have something peer reviewed, not just an encyclopedia article), and that you have a research agenda/dissertation that will yield a tenurable record. What that is will vary from institution to institution, but you're going to need to publish several articles or a book. So they'll be looking for someone who they think will be able to do that. Fortunately, this means that you don't need an AJS/ASR, but you will need something decent like a good specialty journal or regional general journal (like Soc Quarterly).

3. Teaching: teaching experience matters, but isn't as important as you might think. You'll need to have at least TAed something a couple times (teaching your own course is a plus), but mostly they're looking for enthusiasm for teaching. This again speaks to fit; they want to know that you're serious about being in a LAC environment and would stay in the position. There are lots of ways to communicate this (experience is one), but that doesn't mean you need to have taught several courses solo. In terms of being a good teacher, they'll evaluate that based on the evals you send and/or your talk/teaching demo when you interview.

There's also other things that are pluses, like top tier PhD program, some experience with mentoring, willingness to serve at your department/institution. But these are just icing on the cake of a scholar who fits, has/will be able to publish in respectable places, and cares about teaching.

[guido]

slacer,

Thanks for the information. That's helpful. I'd been wondering the same thing. I'm applying at a few SLACs that I think I'd really enjoy being at. I'm from a big, R1 department, have several publications (none of which are eye-popping, but a few of which are solid) have teaching experience, and really enjoyed it. I've been wondering how these places perceive me. I guess I've always known what the ideal candidate is for a top R1 dept., but I've never known what the ideal SLAC candidate looks like. I guess the answer is, it depends on the school.

[slacer]

Guido, it sounds like you're in the ballpark for LAC. What they emphasize the most will vary a lot (e.g. higher status LACs will want more research and better pedigree), but the need for fit won't.

So if you fit well with the ad at those places you've applied, I would guess that they'll take your application seriously.

[guido]

slacer,

I interviewed with three SLACs at ASA. One went so-so, one went well, and on went really well. The one that went really is a top-15 liberal arts college. I think I would be a great fit in the department, and they seemed genuinely jazzed about my interests and expertise. But, doesn't a top-15 liberal arts college draw a really strong set of applicants?

[slacer]

Congrats on getting pre-interviews. This shows that you really are a potential candidate for a LAC job (otherwise they wouldn't have interviewed you).

Higher status SLACs could draw a more competitive pool (even "stars" of the market), especially if location is good. But you've already got your foot in the door, and it's clear that your record is good enough for them. Make sure to mention in your cover letter how much you enjoyed meeting them.

[guido]

slacer,

I had actually already sent all three full applications before ASA. And, yes, for the one that went really well, I've been sure to keep in touch with the chair and members of the department. They know I'm really interested.

They weren't all interested in me. There were several I wanted to interview with at ASA that never responded.

[netizen]

Thanks for the input, slacer. And good luck with your apps, guido.

Sept 14, 2011 13:25:12 GMT -5 SLACer said:

we shouldn't assume teaching, service, and fit are all there. It's going to be one integrated package that your publications are considered in.

Absolutely! I wrote that thinking that many conversations I've heard about LACs have been so focused on the importance of fit that I wanted to set aside that factor for a moment. Of course, it could be the case that at a school, good fit is so important that what one has published doesn't really play a role in the decision, at least for entering assistants. But where there is a minimum bar set up for candidates to be considered seriously, I'm curious what that discussion looks like.