2019 summer/fall: Starting the new job cohort

[KiUlv]

Hi! New to the board (but have been lurking for about a year as I went through my first job search- old board and all) and getting acclimated in my TT position. Trying to focus on one thing at a time. I wasn't necessarily "trained" or supported on the idea of entering academia in my graduate program, and going through a search was a HUGE learning curve (it's how I found this forum). Thank goodness for online resources! Even so, there were definitely mistakes made. But I managed to get this job, and I love it so far!

I hope everyone else is settling in well. I'm keeping afloat so far. Sounds like you are doing really well, bhiennsona. Staying ahead is a great thing!

[the-tenure-track-prof]

Hi all, this is my first TT position and I`ve teaching, research, and service responsibilities. Time flies so fast and the first semester is almost over. I`ve managed to land a role in a national task force committee that is very important in my field which covers the service responsibilities at least for a year. Now that teaching and service are in place, I plan to focus more on my research. my goal is to produce at least 3 publications this year.

[tuxedo_cat]

Oh hai!

Look at that:  I haven't posted since. . . the first week of classes!  We just wrapped up this week, submitted grades, somehow managed to look at course evals the day they were posted and. . . I did not suck.  I honestly have sometimes had a rough first semester when I've moved to a new school.  And I had nearly full enrollment in my sections so. . . lots of grading!  I did not manage that well, but I think I'll have a better handle on things next semester.

And my new colleagues are, for the most part, pretty darn nice.  One dust-up with dept politics, but that seems to have blown over.  I feel a little like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

How about the rest of you all?

[revert79]

Now that we have had the departmental holiday party, I can honestly say I LOVE my department and am so happy to be in this job.  Everyone is so incredibly nice and generous.  I was bummed about the (fancier) jobs I didn't get after being on the market for nearly an entire horrible year, but now I'm sincerely grateful and motivated to do even better work where I am.  One of the reasons I took this job at a modest salary was because of the lovely people.  At the fancy job I narrowly missed out on, they all hated each other in the department...and now I can clearly see how awful that might have been.  Who knew that a holiday party would be so therapeutic!

[mamselle]

Good for you and for your ability to see the positives.

M.

[fast_and_bulbous]

Now that we have had the departmental holiday party, I can honestly say I LOVE my department and am so happy to be in this job.  Everyone is so incredibly nice and generous.  I was bummed about the (fancier) jobs I didn't get after being on the market for nearly an entire horrible year, but now I'm sincerely grateful and motivated to do even better work where I am.  One of the reasons I took this job at a modest salary was because of the lovely people.  At the fancy job I narrowly missed out on, they all hated each other in the department...and now I can clearly see how awful that might have been.  Who knew that a holiday party would be so therapeutic!

Congratulations, that's great to hear. "Fit" is so important, isn't it? I was two different departments where a significant fraction of the faculty hated each other. It's tiresome and drags you down for many different reasons. Sounds like you dodged a bullet there.

[KiUlv]

I am also really loving not only my colleagues, but also my students. There are so many things I love about my position! Although, I have to admit I was ready to quit before this past term started because I was so stressed trying to get ready for all these new preps :o

I'm still finding my balance, but I'm glad to be here!

[born_a_prof]

How is everyone doing ? Wow what a first year, surely no one's had a year like this before in the history of this forum.
What is it looking like for you ? For me, I made 2 Ph.D. and one postdoc offers in early spring....all to international students who can probably not join in fall (or even Spring 21!!). So this year looks like a another year of postdoc, working alone, and teaching.

[mamselle]

Wow what a first year, surely no one's had a year like this before in the history of this forum.

Well, not TT, but I joined the old Fora in the 2008/9-ish era, and there were a few hairy stories then, as well.

But you're right, this has been one of those "interesting times" we're supposed to watch out for!

All good thoughts to all.

M.