enpi

Anyone else have any success stories (or otherwise) they want to share?

I also think about it all the time--before entering my program I was flexible about where I lived, but circumstances have changed and now, it has become a priority for me to choose where I live. For the sciences or anything quant based, I imagine transitioning to non-academic employment isn't as hard as for the humanities...I know about versatile phd, but I haven't really found it too helpful. I have a few ideas left, so I'm not totally panicking yet, and I still have some postdoc positions that I'm still waiting to hear back from...so we will see. I'm really trying to adopt the "whatever happens it will all work out in the end" approach, but that still doesn't stop me from questioning my own worth and abilities throughout this wretched process. Sometimes I totally feel like I missed the boat in terms of getting a job. When I graduated from college back in the early 2000s, it seems like all my friends found jobs without much trouble. Haha, silly me, having to go graduate school and to take the long route!

Some advice that I got from a friend once was not to "overseek" advice...Half the time, my advisor contradicts his own advice too. So, as you probably already know, put filters on your ears and do what you think is best for you. Congrats on your post-doc offers!

I think we are all pretty well rehearsed in terms of interviewing, and our cover letters have gone through the ringer with our own advisors as well as others on our committee. There is nothing one can do about the CV at this point, and frankly, I don't buy into this BS of your CV having to look like that of an associate professor with publications and what not to get an interview for an entry level job (as some people tend to think). I've had friends get great jobs in the humanities with little more than a presentation at a national conference. I've had other friends who have already published, who have gotten nothing out of the gate. After all, we all pour our souls into these job documents, and others have invested significant time in helping us. If none of us cared, and if none of us have already asked ourselves 1,000,000 times about the quality of our submissions, there would be no need for this thread! It helps, for me anyway, to talk about rejections with others since it feels so isolating. Knowing that there are other people who have had similar experiences really does do wonders.

Thanks @my_muse for sharing your story... This is the first time on the market and it's been awful. All of my friends who have already gone on to bigger and better things tell me, "oh, enpi you'll be fine!" or "if you had only half the luck that I did, you'll have no problem" (and this was coming from a guy who got an amazing job with a barely half-finished dissertation). I wasn't expecting to land a job right out of the gate but I was hoping for an interview. But so far, nothing. nada. zip. deafening silence! It seems that the market is more strict this year than past years...or is it just me? Anyway, this whole experience has made me question my own abilities at every turn. But on the subject of rejection...I wish we could all just talk about it more openly sometimes, you know? I mean, of course no one will think you suck because you didn't get anything, but there's always this nagging feeling like I've let someone else down. I was talking to another prof about this once, and she said that when she was in grad school, she had a mentor who framed all his rejection letters and put them in his office. I thought that was pretty awesome..I wish it could be just more transparent to see how people work through all the "no.." you know?

I know the CHE has a job market support thread, but I thought it would be nice to start one here. Anyone have any free advice for those on the academic market for the first (or second, or third....) time? It has certainly been quite the emotional roller coaster, and would help to read others' experiences!

That's a tough one, as something similar happened to me. I would get emails every few days from the DGS of the program where I was accepted. I mean like I'd get an email every other day asking for my decision for the past few weeks. I was in the states visiting family last week, received an email from this DGS before I got on a plane for a 12 hr. flight, (obviously I didn't respond) and then when I eventually did get back to where I am now living, found another email right when I turned on the computer, and in utter exhaustion I had to decline the offer a bit prematurely because I couldn't take it anymore. I'm not sure about the rule for unfunded offers. But, and I'm sure if you decide to attend this program, your DGS will be supportive of you, but don't you think they'd be pushy throughout your graduate career?

Thanks Rising for the response. Yes, Yale is 2 years of TAing. I was worried about anonymity, which is why I didn't initially say my field, but I suppose even if someone important is reading there there really would be no way to figure out who I really am, right? haha. I'm in East Asian studies, and I hear that Princeton does indeed have a stronger overall E.A. studies program. But I have been wondering about this lack of teaching at Princeton. It's a paradox to me--people do say Princeton grads loose out to people with teaching experience, and yet, the placement rate is extremely high, and Princeton grads, well they get jobs. It's all very confusing. Anyway, if anyone has ideas about the east asian studies program at both schools I'd love to hear it. As soon as I start leaning toward picking one school, I think wait no, i should choose the other! And this has been happening back and forth for a few weeks now. As of now, my gut says Princeton, but my brain says Yale. I'm really hoping visiting will make a huge difference, I know a lot of people on this board says it has. About becoming a professor, that I don't know about yet. I did at one point, but for now, I'm happy going into the phd program with my eyes open for any opportunity that arises. About where I live, I'm easy as living costs seem to be comparable. Don't really have a preference at this point! If anyone has any other ideas and opinions about picking schools I'd love to hear it, and thanks so much to those who have already responded!!

Wow, thanks so much for the quick replies. I forgot to mention one big difference (d'oh) Yale requires 2 years of teaching At Princeton this is completely optional. I've heard teaching takes a lot of time and energy. thoughts? Anyone else? Many opinions welcome!

Hi all, Ok. Enough reading about everyone else's decisions, time to be selfish and focus on me! me! I'm deciding between Yale and Princeton..I did not expect to have this decision. I am hoping to visit in early April ,so I hope that will help with the decision. In the meantime, I'm hoping for some advice from all the forumites, perhaps some of you have some inside information that I would be oh, so grateful for. First similarities: funding is nearly the same. cost of living is almost the same. both have extensive opportunities for external/disseration reseach fellowships, and both provide stipends through the summer plus extra summer funding if needed job placement is nearly identical access to resources seems to be the same weather is the same. I love snowboarding, and both places seem to have access to ski resorts. differences: Profs: Prof. Yale so I've heard fights for the students. provides opportunities for publishing, extremely distinguished in the field, lets the student discover and think for themselves. I've heard prof. Yale can be a bit pushy. that said, this prof. matches my research interests best Princeton: laid back, but tough on students papers. from what i hear, this prof is generous with time/always willing to talk to students. similar in that prof. Princeton lets the students figure stuff out on their own, but always provides questions for the student to think about. research interests similar but yale's matches better. there are more profs. at princeton who i could work with than at yale. princeton overall seems to be stronger in my research area. choosing school is like choosing a man. neither place is 100% perfect, but both have qualities that I really like and don't like. Speaking of men, my husband will be coming with me, and he will need a job. I know this topic has come up before, but does anyone know if either university supports spouses working at the university? So if anyone attends either school, or has even attended as an undergrad, I'm interested in knowing more what each school has to offer/doesnt offer, in terms of community/atmosphere/student body. anything! Anything to help me decide! Sorry for the long post. heres hoping someone reads it. 8)