There is some excitement up at workplace. I am handling small bits of two major (accreditation/affiliation/qualitywuzz) activities that are currently on roll here, and yeah, I am tired even before I have entered the thick of it.
Then, there is another thing. There haven't been many opportunities for career growth here. The last time we had interviews for the higher faculty positions was when I was away from here (pregnant with Figlia, 2011), and then again last year.
Last year I had applied but an entire segment of interviews was chopped off because the panel pointed a few deficiencies in the way applications were taken. The interviews for the lower rungs happened, but the lot of us who went for higher ranks were pretty much left out to dry.
Then, it helps my chances to know that the Director's daughter who has the same specialization and belongs to the same department as me, is also competing for the same position as me.
Then, the years that I missed work (three maternity leaves in five years - 2011, 2012 and 2014) also reflect poorly in terms of publications/other administrative bits which would be considered during the evaluation.
I am now thinking of change and of applying to other places. I don't have many options here in this city, and I wonder that if I manage to fool someone to hire me, how will it affect my children and DH.
DH is theoretically on board with this. He has been asking me to apply to a rival institution here in this city, and to institutes in our hometown.
I wasn't too sure till almost a week back that I really wanted a change. Now I want to change.
Figlia has left with her father and gone to her grandparents' to spend a part of her vacation. Her dad will be back by next week. M and I would join Figlia there in about 10 days from today. I have been looking forward to that break fervently.
The news - local, national and global has been very upsetting lately. There have been far too many acts of senseless violence already. I don't know what's with religious affiliations either. I can be what I want, and the other one gets to be what they want, and we live happily ever after. What is wrong with doing that?
There are many reasons for me not pursuing my PhD right now,and you cite a few of them. I'd have to continue taking so much time off to manage my kids' needs, I'd never be able to snag a great faculty position. There is a university I did my teaching internship an hour from me, and they really loved me. I can't imagine a 2 hour drive each day I worked though, and I wouldn't earn enough to be worth it.
ReplyDeleteAh the politics of internal well connected people when it comes to promotion are just a nightmare. I would definitely encourage you to apply other places and really if they discriminate you on the bases of maternity leave you should make a case to HR. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMuch luck in your career path - I hope you end up wherever you want to be. Enjoy your vacation!
ReplyDelete(As to what's wrong with the world...I think a friend summed it up recently. Everything is binary. I believe what I believe, and if you don't believe it, you're wrong. :( )