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Post by jobless on Oct 23, 2011 17:00:32 GMT -5
I am beginning to consider trying to get a VAP position for next year if nothing comes through in this cycle. Since my training has been heavily focused on research, I haven't had luck with inquiries about adjuncting locally, and I'm hopeful that I'll be better received if I express willingness to move for a job and teach full-time. My teaching experience is limited, and I'm growing concerned that I will need more to be competitive for most jobs.
Surely some of the board participants have VAP-ped or know people who have. Do you think that being a VAP helps you on the market? Are there challenges that I should consider? Would you say it is a valuable way to spend a year?
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Post by postdoc on Oct 23, 2011 17:36:15 GMT -5
If at all possible, I would try to secure a postdoc versus a VAP position. Usually, you are teaching full time. You haven't taught before so it will be all new preps, which is incredibly time consuming. I have a friend who took a VAP position and 2-years later her CV looks the same because it's so difficult to make time to do research.
I understand that a job is better than no job, but I would suggest pursuing postdocs or at least a VAP that is closer to a 2/3 load or 3/3 load with multiple sections of the same class.
You can always do things now to help your teaching experience--like workshops, preparing sample syllabi, guest lecturing to help your chances for the VAPs.
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Post by netizen on Oct 23, 2011 20:27:57 GMT -5
From talking with others and from my own (limited) experience, teaching experience is valued in its own right at schools beyond the R1s. Postdoc is right that there are tradeoffs to teaching new preps, but I've received positive feedback from search committees for choosing some of these tradeoffs rather than being solely focused on research.
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Post by postdoc too on Oct 23, 2011 21:22:35 GMT -5
I would second postdoc. I am a VAP right now in a reputable SLAC and merely teaching 2 courses. Prepping for classes, evaluating assignments and student consultation leave me so little time for job applications and none for research right now.
There are many postdocs that would require you to teach one course per term. You should look around and target such postdocs because that's hitting two objectives in one post. Besides, a postdoc is better on paper and more prestigious, I think, than being a VAP.
But as postdoc said, VAPing is better than nothing. And it is not such a bad deal at all despite lack of time for research.
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Post by puzzled on Oct 24, 2011 7:48:41 GMT -5
From these descriptions of balancing teaching and research, no one should be getting tenure at selective SLACs and R2s. Unless, I suppose, the effort needed to teach a course for the first time is the main time-suck and there is no need to be a generalist who teaches varied courses.
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Post by postdoc too on Oct 24, 2011 8:28:30 GMT -5
^Yes... the adjustment to a new job and prepping for new classes can be brutal for a VAP, not considering the fact that you have to think of where you are going once your VAPing is over.
Those on tenure-track positions also have to adjust to a new job and such but they have all summer to do their research with the support of their institutions. And after their first year, they are pretty much adjusted and manage their responsibilities (research and teaching) better. But they don't have to look for a new job so it is okay if they don't publish during their first year. Also, the time that a VAP spends on job search is time spent on research for those on tenure track.
I was just talking to a colleague on a tenure-track this weekend about this and he told me that it took him to two years before he can even do some real research. With a VAP, you are already out even before you adjust, hence, no real time for research and you go back to the market with pretty much the same CV. you may be able to submit articles for review during the summer after your VAP but you won't be able to know if it is really accepted until sometime after which leaves you with the same CV.
Also sometimes, those on tenure-track are given the first year off from taking on a full load on teaching. Plus, they get a sabbatical leave before tenure review.
As I said, VAPing is not all that bad. But if you have a choice between VAPing or postdoc, go for postdoc that has a teaching component if you are after the teaching experience.
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