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!