If you're a reader who has an idea for a contribution, this is your invitation to contribute to this blog. Please contact me using the form on the "about me" page. Send me a brief outline of your idea, your desired contributor name, and an email address. If it sounds like a good match, I'll set you up with a contributor login for this page.
The reason for this invitation: I have always wanted this blog to include more perspectives than just my own. I'm an early career social scientist. The viewpoints of a mid-career biological scientist or a graduate student in humanities could be very different than mine. Others' strategies for managing their ADD might be different, too. We should all be learning from each other, right?
I did it — I made it through my week with two back-to-back interviews. I didn't feel extremely tired before I went to bed and slept for 8 hours Friday night, but I woke up Saturday morning feeling pretty worn out. I guess that I made it through the last couple of days on adrenaline? I'm feeling better today (Sunday) but am still dreading tomorrow's full day of work. Having MLK day off is just a joke!
So, to summarize the interviews… both were in similar departments at two state universities in the same state. The first interview was fine: the faculty were really, really nice, and the job has certain unique perks that aren't offered elsewhere (sorry can't be more specific; these perks are very ADD and "Dr. Addled" – friendly!). Unfortunately, I didn't feel much of a connection with the department, faculty or students, and suspected that I'd have few if any options for collaborative research. Also, the teaching load was pretty high (3-3; 3 classes each semester). The second interview at the "better" university went much better in all respects, even if the "perks" aren't built-in to the position: the faculty and students were fantastic, and the environment itself is very conducive to collaborative research. The faculty and students clearly want a new faculty member who can do strong research, but this person must be able to play well with others, so to speak. The teaching load is lower (a 2-2 load, which means I'd teach 2 classes each semester). Interestingly, the research expectations were the same at both institutions, and the salary at University #2 is much higher than at University #1. Faculty at uni #2 responded very favorably to my job talk, and the students seemed ready to help me pack my moving truck at the drop of a hat.
After just a few hours at Uni #2, I felt very comfortable there, and felt like I was "clicking" with the faculty and students. I even started to have fun, which is by no means univeral on interviews! This sense was strong enough that I felt I could safely disclose that I am married (something that freaks out some academics — come on, like my 6mm wedding band isn't already a clue?!?). I hope this wasn't a tactical error, but would be surprised if it makes a difference (e.g., all the current faculty are married, so why would it be a problem for me other than my saying so might make me look unprofessional?). As it happens, I later learned that the realtor had "outed" me to the department secretary, who then in turn "outed" me to the search chair. Grr… at least when I brough it up with the department chair, it was my choice! The secretary made a big deal about it right before my job talk, which was more annoying than anything else (i.e., "Is 'Addled' your married name? Oh, it's not? Then what's your husband's name if it's not 'Addled'?"). Hu's behavior was way more unprofessional than mine, to say the least!
Although I didn't want to put myself into this position, I will probably be very, very upset if I don't receive an offer from University #2. The truth is, I will be brokenhearted, because I don't think the fit can be better than this. I just hope that the search committee members feel the same way about me. At least I only have to wonder for 2-3 weeks, by which time all the candidates will have visited and the search committee will have had time to deliberate and extend an offer to their top choice.