Weather break

As much as I'm THRILLED that it's cooler today, the cloudy weather looks really dreary from my home office window and it's making me want to go take a nap! Last Thursday I "worked" at home and accomplished next to nothing. I'm trying not to repeat that today. It's a long weekend coming up- after a lab tomorrow, I don't teach until next Wednesday and my birthday is on Monday. I should get some research stuff done today, so that I can feel good about relaxing over the weekend. I'm made a schedule and so far, I've spent the first 26 minutes of this hour (which I designated as time to do a specific task) reading and writing emails, moving my monitor back further on my desk (so as not to waste space), then dusting my desk. Now I'm blogging. OK- that's it. I'm going to get out the papers I need, open the Word file and DO SOMETHING. Right now. Ok, right now, then. Really. Right now.

Where Addy becomes "Dear Addy"

Well, it's happened again. A blog reader has emailed to ask a question! This time it's about career advice (!) I got his permission to post his email, so here it is:

Hi there,

My name is Eager Teacher* and I want to be a college professor. I have been surfing the net looking for good sources on this topic. I am currently enrolled in an MBA program, that I am solely in to attain a "useful," masters.

My fear is that I am not going to be able to get a job teaching. I don't know where to start. I currently earn 60k/year as an accountant and I need to maintain this salary. I will have my masters done next year and I want to go right into teaching. Is community college or adjunct teaching my only option?

I was also wondering, what does teaching really entail? I want to be a professor because I want to teach, I am not as interested in research. I do understand research is crucial to being a well paid professor, so I can do it if i need to. Should I start now, what should I do research on?

What is an average week like? How many hours do you teach, and what else do you do? Do you work over the summer?

Like I said, I saw your blog and I thought I'd shoot you an E-mail. Thanks for listening.


My reply:
Thanks for your email. I would like to post your email on my blog if you don't mind so that others can give their input, as well. It sounds like you are in the business field (since you are getting your MBA). That is not a discipline I am too familiar with, but I would think that you need a PhD for most full-time positions. You can probably teach part time with an MBA, though. The most important thing you should do is to talk to some of your current professors to get more specific advice. If you earn a PhD and land a tenure-track job in business, you will certainly be able to earn more than your current salary. I know that the faculty in the business school at my university sometimes make double what I make! I'm sorry I don't have any specific advice- I think you are really better off talking to someone in that discipline. Let me know if you have other specific questions I might be able to answer.


His follow-up:
Feel free to post my E-mail. any input would be great. I do have more questions. I am trying to get a day in the life perspective, of what I might expect if teaching adjunct vs full time. Also, have you been published, if so, how do you start the process?


More from me:
For a day in the life perspective, it would actually be useful to read some more academic bloggers and hear about what we all go through on a day-to-day basis. Yes, I have published several papers. Since I am in a science discipline my papers are always based on studies I've done. You should look at journals in your discipline and see what kind of papers are being published. Hopefully some others will comment here!

If you have advice for Eager Teacher, please post some comments! This is the sort of thing that needs many perspectives....

*Obviously, my ridiculous "Dear Abby" style pseudonym!

New shoes!

I've been wanting to post a picture of my new shoes, but I can't find them on the web anywhere. I bought them from the DSW clearance rack, so they are clearly not a new style. I love them! They're much higher heels than I usually wear and my bunion is telling me so (my other foot feels great, though). Here is a picture of D trying them on. It's frightening to me that her feet don't really look all that small for my size 10 shoes!

D started school today. Here she is waiting for the school bus:

Yes, that is corn in the background
(I don't call it Small College Town for nothing!)

Goin' back to Cali*

We're going to Chaser's new town for Christmas! (ooh- potential blogger meet-up?) We're going to see my grandma and get out of the winter weather of Small College Town. We've always just stuck around here over winter break, but this year decided to give it a try. I bought the tickets this morning, so we're going! Yay! I see Disneyland in my future! This trip is also to help ease the sting of the failed job search- I keep thinking that I could be living there right now if I hadn't turned down the one job offer I did get. I hope the weather cooperates at this end (no blizzards!)

In other news, D starts school tomorrow. The open house to meet her new teacher is tonight. It will feel more like my semester is really in swing, when she is headed off on the school bus every morning again. Inspired by Mommy/Prof's recent post, I am going to start having her help me make her lunches. I don't know why it hadn't even occurred to me before- except that I often make them really early in the a.m. before anyone else is up. I'll just switch to doing it after dinner. She's almost 8, so she can certainly be involved in packing her own lunch!

Classes are going OK. I am not changing much from last time, so my teaching prep is pretty mininal. Unfortunately, that hasn't translated to lots of research productivity yet. I need to get back to that paper soon. I have other research things going on, too, but not so much that I should be slacking on that paper.

I've got to finish up something (research-related) for a meeting tomorrow, so I better get to it!

*I know I used that title before, but it's so fitting!

Dewds...

I know this is blurry, but I was in stop-and-go traffic (at one of the few places that this occurs in Small College Town). Check out the temperature:


This weather is just the worst. On campus, they've had to leave the library and rec center open for students with no A/C, so they can sleep!

I've been tagged!

Dr. Brazen Hussy tagged me a couple of days ago on Monday! and I am finally getting around to responding. I hope that the people I tagged haven't already been tagged!

The Four Things Meme

Four Jobs I Have Had In My Life:
Hallmark Store Clerk
Cable Assembler
Babysitter
Optical Assistant (at Sears!)

Four Places I Have Lived:
Washington, MI
Overland Park, KS
Walnut Creek, CA
Tucson, AZ

Four of my favorite foods:
Chocolate (but only good, European chocolate- no Hershey’s)
Indian Food (North & South)
Thai Mock Duck Curry
Hummus

Four Places I’d rather be right now:
Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA

Four movies I can watch over and over:
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
The Princess Bride
When Harry Met Sally
Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Four TV shows I like to watch:
The Office
Entourage
Flight of the Conchords
Conan O’Brien

Four websites I visit daily:
Google Reader
Twitter
Facebook
BBC News

Four early musical influences:
The BeeGees
ELO
Olivia Newton-John
Abba

Four Computers I’ve Owned:
IBM
Micron
Dell
Gateway Laptop

I tag:
Chaser
Eddie
Twice
Mommy/Prof

Unleashing about the first week back.

I expected to write a rant for the "unleash" theme of the September scientiae carnival, but surprisingly enough- after teaching my classes this week, I have some positive things to unleash about:

1. I am so unbelievably thrilled that I am NOT teaching my big freshmen class with multiple lab sections this semester! Hooray! Hallelujah! Woo hoo! It's such a treat to teach only classes that students are actually (at least somewhat) interested in. I also had crappy evaluations in that class last semester, so the break will give me a chance to get over the bitterness of that. (also remember this: that was my semester of three job interviews and two conferences and I tried to make the class more interactive and used a new book!)
2. I am teaching two upper-level classes: one small (<10) and one medium (<30). They are both on subjects that interest me and I have taught both of them before. Did I mention that I am not missing those freshmen?
   
3. I have TWO research projects getting underway- one is The Big Grant, the other is an internal project that I was asked to contribute to. I am supervising one grad assistant this semester and will have two in the spring. This is a first for me, as I've only had TAs in the past. Just yesterday, I realized how completely awesome it is to have a grad student doing a lot of the computer work that I would usually be doing myself. He does some work, checks in with questions, we resolve issues, he goes back and does some more. I hadn't considered what a huge time saver this is!
   
4. I am going up for tenure! I should be saying "arrgghhhh!", right? As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's all done. My current accomplishments are what will be used to evaluate my performance, so all I can do now is wait. I shouldn't have anything to worry about, but I am not assuming anything or taking anything for granted. There is still a sense of relief that the frantic part is over, though.

The only obligation left for this week is a faculty meeting. I may more to unleash about after that- stay tuned!


scientiae carnival

When will it end?

... Heat advisory in effect from noon today to midnight EDT Friday night...

I'm soooo sick of summer.

I curse you, HBO!

They've screwed me again. Three years ago I started watching a new HBO series called Carnivale. It was strange, but interesting and I watched it religiously, hoping I would one day "get it". For two seasons I watched. I was left hanging at the end of season Two and waited patiently for Season Three. Months later, I learned that the show had been canceled. I would never find out what would become of those people. What about Sophie's baby? It still bothers me to leave that story unfinished. Flash forward to summer 2007. HBO's rolls out another new show "John from Cincinnati". Since I like to see things from the beginning, I DVR the first few episodes to check them out. It's strange and interesting and I like the characters. I hope that I will eventually "get' what is going on. In the mean time, I can see scenes of beaches in Southern California and remember when I used to live near there. I watched every episode of Season One. Last Sunday was the season finale. Today, I learn that the show has been canceled. Once again, I'm left hanging- permanently! Why was Mitch floating? Who the hell is John anyway? What happened to Shaun & Zippy? I'll never know and I'm pissed. I loved the opening credits of that show- Joe Strummer & surfing dolphins. I wish I had kept the last DVR'd episode, so that I could watch those credits again in HD. DAMN IT!

Another Matrix reference?

Morpheus
Take this quiz!

As seen as Dr. Brazen Hussy's.

Very cool.

All this time, I thought that it was other academics reading my blog, and it turns out at least one student is, too! Even better than that- she asked for some advice!

Here is her question:
I had a personal issue arise that will be bringing me out of state for my first week of classes.
I don't start for another week and want my professors ASAP to know that I'm not a slacker and plan on bringing the books w/ me out of town to look over and if I can get a copy of the syllabus that would be great. They are all entry level classes, I'm returning to school in a different state than I started with much different standards.

Is it that simple, just to say that? I'm not looking for the best BS to make up or anything.
I just want to say it in the best possible way.

My response:
You are in an interesting situation- that's great that you see it as a something that should be approached delicately so as not to offend your professors. There's no easy answer, though. I think everyone will have a different response to it, so it's hard to give advice on the best approach. I actually would like to post part of your email on my blog so I can get feedback from others if you don't mind. (just let me know)*she consented.

If it were my class, here is the advice I would give: you want to be sure not to seem too demanding about your absence. If you can go and see your profs in person before leaving that would be great. Getting emails from students before the class starts requesting materials because they have to miss the first week is usually not a favorite. Instead of asking for the syllabus to be emailed- ask if it will be posted online (or on Blackboard or WebCT). Ask if you need to purchase any items in addition to your textbook. If you have to do it that way, just don't ask for a lot of things from the professor. When you do get back, go see them in person (not just 5 minutes before class) to let them know that you tried to keep up while away (but don't ask for lecture notes- you can get those from a classmate). When you come back from your trip, if you make it clear that you are serious about your classes when you get back, any misgivings your professors might have had should evaporate. You don't need to be overly apologetic- just be straightforward.

If anyone else has suggestions for this reader, please comment below. Thanks!

Reading Packets

Question: If you use a course reading packet, how much do you change the contents each semester?

On the verge of tenure...

Well, the time has finally arrived. I am going up for tenure. Like now. My final dossier is due to my department promotion and tenure committee this week. My external letters are due back in the next couple of weeks. The semester is about to start. Am I freaking out? Actually, I'm not- and that's the strange thing. I don't mean that I am not worried about making it through the process, but I have a vague feeling of calm because I've already done everything that I can do. It's out of my hands. If I'm not good enough, it's too late to do anything about it now. I feel good about my prospects, though: I have had positive annual reviews. Any requests for additional publications have been met. My teaching is good (good enough, anyway, although I'll never win a teaching award). My service is good. And to top it all off, I just got that grant over the summer- which is totally beyond any requirements for tenure in my department (we have no requirements for external funding). So, that's it, then.

I had always thought that this semester would be stressful, and I guess that waiting to hear will be driving me crazy, but it's not like the rushing around trying to get one more paper published or get that grant proposal written. It will be a semester of waiting to hear if I've passed to the next level in the hierarchy. By Christmas, I will know my fate. If all goes well, I will be the second woman to earn tenure in my department. Ever. I will also no longer be fearful of pissing people off- although I've never let rule my life now (I hope that hasn't been a mistake!) I'll get to move out of the rank of "junior faculty". If I don't make it, I'll be back on the job market. I'm keeping my eyes peeled even now, in case there are Associate jobs that open up- just to keep my options open. I am not assuming anything or taking anything for granted.

So what do I do now? I have classes to plan for, two research projects to get underway. Grad students to recruit. If anything, this is where the pressure will be from. I have research responsibilities like I've never had before and I want to do a good job. I don't want to let people down.

scientiae carnival

Good news, bad news, & other updates

The good news is that I don't have any suspicious-looking moles (no skin cancer!). The bad news is that my mother's theory that I have rosacea is true. I basically have permanently rosy cheeks. I actually wouldn't care if some people would mind their own business and not point out that I have rosy cheeks. It's incurable, so I am going to try meds to see if it helps control it. All the online literature talks about triggers for rosacea "flare-ups". The list is comical:

...exercise, sun and wind exposure, hot weather, stress, spicy foods, alcohol, and hot baths. Swings in temperature from hot to cold or cold to hot can also cause a flare of rosacea. (from WebMD)

As if it's possible to avoid the things on that list- especially in a Midwest climate. Stress? Yeah right. And avoiding spicy foods? I think I'd rather have a red face! So I'm a bit annoyed that this was confirmed after I've had these extra-rosy cheeks for the past couple of years. I think it started around the time I started getting migraines, too. I was only 34 then- I shudder to imagine what annoying health problems I'll have as I get older! Oh well.

Otherwise, I am still in complete denial that classes start in 10 days. I finally got my office computer set up and pretty much all software installed with only minor assistance from our IT help. (We use Novell for network drives, but it doesn't run on Vista, so I had to directly map them).

The Monster. If you don't think it looks big, just keep
in mind that it's dwarfing the 24-inch monitor!

My dossier just needs another read-through, but it's pretty much ready. I need to do a few more things to get ready for my new RA this semester, but I think things should be good. It's only the classes that I am pretending to be non-existent. I will have to get those organized soon, though. It's tough, because D goes back to school 8 days later than we do. If she were in school now, I would go into the office and just get some things done. Now, H and I have to coordinate these things. I am also not feeling motivated today. Maybe it's because I know the crunch is coming and that I better enjoy things while I can...

I am very excited to have TWO new female colleagues arriving this year! I liked them both when they interviewed and they still seem nice now that they are here. I hope they help stir things up in our faculty meetings. I feel like my ideas are always ignored or brushed aside, but now that there will be more of us (7 untenured faculty out of 14), there's a better opportunity for actual change.

OK- I'm going to go read my dossier again now. Then, maybe I'll do some more data prep and file organization for the internal research project, and/or check last year's class reading packet to see if I want to make changes.

Oh, how I've longed to see these words on my weather forecast...

Tomorrow is forecast to be Much Cooler than today.

Hallelujah!

Of course, in this case "much cooler" means 88 degrees. The dewpoint will be dropping, so that is the best part. I still can't believe how it's much hotter here than lots of places out west (it's even cooler in Tucson!)

RBoC: Semester Imminent Edition

Sorry, I've been so sporadic with the blogging and not really posting much substance. While I was traveling, I didn't have much time to blog and since getting home, I am just trying to get something done before all of the students invade Small College Town again.

• I didn't finish that paper I started back in May. I am not going to finish it before my dossier is submitted, either. Nothing actually leaves my department until October, so I will be sure it is in review by then, but the distractions of summer got the best of me again. I was so productive in May when D was still in school- even when MM arrived, but by July things just started to fall apart. It's OK, though.
• I set up up my GIGANTIC (I will take a picture today) new office computer yesterday. I still need to go install all the software today. We do have a tech person to do all of this, but since I know how to do it myself and I don't want to wait for him to return from being out of town, I just went ahead. The CPU box weighed 70 pounds! I also got a 24" monitor. I couldn't afford to get a second one and I planned to keep one of my old CRTs, but there are NO drivers available for Vista, so I will have to go to a single monitor until our grant money comes in (my U bought the computer because of the grant, since we had to trim our budget)
• I did a lot of cleaning projects this summer. I cleaned out every closet in the house (guest room, our room, D's room, hall closet, pantry) and yesterday donated a ton of stuff to the Vietnam Veterans. We also cleared a lot of stuff out of our basement. We've been in this house for four years, which is the longest I've lived in the same house/apartment since high school! We still had a lot of baby stuff for D and I will still be making a trip or two to Goodwill to get rid of the rest. I used to think we might have another baby at some point, but now it doesn't really seem desirable (D is almost 8). I've also been trying to jazz up the house with some minor decorating (new curtains, throw pillows, finally replacing my college stereo cabinet from 1990!) Summer just seems like the time to do these things!

All of our crap!

New curtains (JC Penney) & throw pillows (Meijer)

• I am avoiding thinking too much about classes until I absolutely have to. I have to finish revising my dossier and get some research things organized before classes start in two weeks, so I will wait until the last minute to get syllabi in order. After classes start, I can get back to that paper that I meant to finish over the summer.

I'll post some more photos later of the monstrous tower.

Why I hate summer...

On the forecast page for my area this morning:

Excessive heat warning in effect until 6 am EDT Friday...

(It's only Tuesday!)

Weekend Bird Blogging

Yep- peahens can open up their tails, too!

Guess what this is... UPDATED

ETA: OK- I'll tell you: They are the coolest bath toys ever! We bought them at Cost Plus (World Market) the other night. They light up when you complete the circuit (they have two small contact points on the bottom). That means that they flash the entire time they are in the bathtub! D had a blast with the lights off during her bath- I steadied the camera on the counter to reduce the blur (no tripod). They are called "Disco Frogs"

crap.

Did everyone notice that it's August 1st? That means that I have only 2.5 weeks until classes start. Bummer. I'm so depressed...