Post by unclekarl on Oct 1, 2011 16:26:10 GMT -5
Very well stated and sums up my experiences almost exactly. For me, 80 apps and no or silence for 76. Found a postdoc in May after starting out the prior August. That was '09, which I think was the bottom year. Am feeling better about this year [better market, my c.v. has improved] and am actually a bit picky about the jobs I take this round ,as I can always find a research position using my applied stats and programming skills.
Lower self-esteem and anxiety have been my biggest issues. I recommend therapy, exercise and developing hobbies--they have helped me immensely
Point being that the market is full of idiosyncrasies, so don’t assume that silence on the first round of applications means you are doomed. It can be hard on your self esteem, but there are always options. A few friends are on the private sector now, with a similar timeline, and though it is not their dream position they are well paid, get good benefits and live in major cities they like.
Just don’t get caught up on the “R1 or bust” attitude of certain faculty members and advisors.
Lower self-esteem and anxiety have been my biggest issues. I recommend therapy, exercise and developing hobbies--they have helped me immensely
Oct 1, 2011 15:06:41 GMT -5 @elanony said:
My story may be sort of an aberration, but I wanted to get it out there just to show that one need not lose hope in the face of silence. This is my second go at the market, as I am currently a postdoc. My first go, I got my first interview request in late November for a February interview. Ended up not getting the position, but quite a few ads for teaching heavy institutions also came out in February. Applied to them and got 2 interview requests in late April for interviews in May. Did two interviews in May, and got another interview request that I turned down that May. Didn’t hear from them for a while, and then in late June got an offer (budget problems delayed the offer, and the start date got pushed back to January). At the same time a postdoc that I was a runner up for had to get someone else because the original recipient flaked at the last second. Declined the tenure track job (for personal reasons unrelated to the position) and got the postdoc offer in mid July.Point being that the market is full of idiosyncrasies, so don’t assume that silence on the first round of applications means you are doomed. It can be hard on your self esteem, but there are always options. A few friends are on the private sector now, with a similar timeline, and though it is not their dream position they are well paid, get good benefits and live in major cities they like.
Just don’t get caught up on the “R1 or bust” attitude of certain faculty members and advisors.