The Highs and Lows of the Job Market

Well this was an eventful holiday season, apart from the joys of family, friends, and celebrations, I also interviewed for jobs at an annual professional conference.

Lawd, I did not fully appreciate what I was getting myself into....



On the up side, the city was amazing (although my airplane pictures were blurry). On the first day of interviewing I curled my hair and put on a new suit (yes, that is the look of fear and trepidation in my eyes!). I felt somewhat confident as I was leaving my room, and then... the snow began to fall. I quickly learned that in a "windy city" the snow falls horizontally.... I prayed that I would feel God's presence throughout the day, and I was so blessed to receive a great deal of kindness from many strangers. I got lost looking for the hotel where my interview was held, and a bus driver actually took me (on the empty city bus) to the front door of my first interview. I had a pile of snow on the top of my head, but people told me that it looked like I was covered in glitter! Over and over again professors offered me encouragment and understanding about how challenging the interview process is.


Well, my first interview went horribly! I had practiced some pat answers, but I got grilled anyway. Generally, I think, people have two distinct responses when they get nervous:
1. they clam up
2. or they ramble on and on with no end in sight

I fall into catgory 2! At one point I actually had to tell myself not to cry and run out of the room. Although I should have been paying attention to the questions, I was measuring the shortest distance out of the suite....

I called my colleagues back home and practiced some answers to the really tough questions I got (especially about Hegel...) and prepared for the next interview. I was so ready, poised, and still kind (also cute!). The next one went incredibly well, and I left feeling really good. I also met the heads of other search committees who, did not ask me for an interview, but were excited about my work. I went to a reception for folks in my field, and then I crashed out big time (curls gone)!


The next day I had the remaining interviews and felt great about how they turned out. Importantly, I looked great! I really am enjoying the appearance of my locks (even the "news-journalist-style" I rocked during the conference!).


I was left with a fair amount of ambivalence about the profession I am entering. The level of stress, competition, dysfunction, and depression that multiple people spoke of was disheartening. I suppose that every field has its neuroses, but there is something peculiar about academia....

Otherwise, my experience at the conference ended nicely with a great pizza and a Bear victory!

Feliz Ano Nuevo!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We rang in the New Year at the famous Bacara Resort (don't let the police car fool ya', it is swanky!). Since Oprah did not invite me to her Legends Ball or to her New Year's Eve party, I decided to take matters into my own hands....


We had a great time dancing to a great live band (with a gorgeous saxophonist), and there were a couple of celebrity sightings too (but I have never seen Spiderman, and I don't actually enjoy going to the movies)! Although the champagne was pricey, they did offer fabulous, complementary sweets.

A very kind staff member drove us around the resort, the pool area is so amazing, but at about 400 bucks a night, any overnighting at the Bacara will have to wait until I land a job... or two!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve, and are looking forward to a very joyous 2008.