I am so depressed....

[playahata1]

Yet another job rejection. And this school was on my (very short) "A" list of schools.

Next month will be the start of my third year on the job market. While working as an adjunct does allow me to stay in the academy and gain valuable teaching experience, it does not pay the bills (student loans, etc.). I did not spend seven years in grad school and go into major debt for anything less than a tenure-track gig. All I can do is keep trying.:-(

[Boudicea]

1. What's your area?

My daughter is studying in hopes of teaching college someday. Sounds like you're having a tough time of it. I'm sorry and hope things look up soon.

[playahata1]

4. English.

Areas of specialization: Creative Writing and African American literature. The market in English has been awful in recent years. Maybe I was born too soon. Or decided to enter grad school too soon....

[Karenina]

12. Have you considered

leaving the country to get a wider perspective?

[SoCalDem]

13. Yes.. you should e-mail JCMach1

He got a sweet deal teaching in Qatar.. They are serious about education over there and they pay in taxfree dollars..AND provide you with a house to live in..

You could get some more experience and build up a tidy little nest egg :)

[playahata1]

14. To K and SoCal....

I have not seen enough of my own country to even consider going abroad -- not yet. Now is not the right time for me. Of course, if things get REALLY bad (in more ways than one), I might consider it.

Thanks, though.

[soleft]

2. My Sister went back to grad school in order to teach

While she went for high school and not college level, it took her a while to land the job she wanted but she finally got it. Hang in there.

[bif]

3. Don't give up!

I was out of work for a year and I finally landed a job. The economy sucks. It's not your fault.

[Raven]

5. Don't give up!

Anyone who has toughed out seven years in grad school will succeed, believe me! You have the right idea...hold out for what is due to you! How are you marketing yourself and what did you study in grad school? Also, what do you feel are your shortcomings (a little devil's advocacy here!).

[playahata1]

10. The problem is PUBLISHING.

I have two poems published, but it is not enough. Though I have been sending out my novel (my dissertation, BTW) and poetry (individually and collectively), I haven't been able to get anything else out, creatively or scholarly. It is just so damned hard to get an agent, and the contest route is so damned competitive (and costly; entry/reading fees, etc.). The academic journals take forever to read and review your work, and besides, my work is not considered "theoretical" enough for them -- and I am not a theory person.

My best chances at getting a job, therefore, have been with schools where teaching, not research/publication, is emphasized (small liberal-arts schools, community colleges). Still, I have not been able to get anything at those places.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Shoot!

Hang in there, though! I predict success for you! :-)

[wellstone_democrat]

7. year 3 the charm for my wife

in a related discipline. She's now tenure track at a large research U.
Keep at it, it is rough I know but the season is beginning and PM her if you need an "atta boy/girl/whatever you may be" this season she says. And I don't think that is just the morphine talking :-)


For those keeping score, Dr. W_D did come out of surgery (finally) and things look to be OK for the long term. Long day.

[GOPisEvil]

8. Glad to hear that about her!

I was wondering about the surgery! :thumbsup:

[papau]

9. Urban high school English will pay the bills

One of my daughter's has a friend that gave up an IVY non-tenure for High School Biology and is quite happy - and he is not only young PHD at the school.

But hang in for what you want - the job market will turn if we elect a Dem.

[catpower2000]

11. I was going to say the same thing...

If you get desperate for money, you can make a hell of a lot teaching high school English in a city. Lots of times, they will even pay back part or all of your loans. I know it's not what you want forever, but it will pay the bills until your dream job comes along.

Hang in there, Playa, I am pulling for you.

Cat

[playahata1]

15. Thanks, Cat,

and everyone else who has responded thus far.

One of my best friends also had suggested to me that I consider teaching high school. However, I have MAJOR philosophical differences with probably most of the school systems when it comes to what is being taught/emphasized (as in standardized testing), and I don't think I will do very good at the "classroom management" part of the job. I'd rather work with people who WANT to be in school.