[UPDATED: new mentee feedback added on 5/11/2017, job-statistic on 7/11/2017]
As readers of the Cocoon may know, Helen De Cruz and I have been running a Job-Market Mentoring Program the last two years. The program's mission is to, "enable job candidates in philosophy who face special challenges, including those with little access to mentoring...to receive advice and support from more experienced members of the profession." Helen and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of this year's participants, particularly the mentors who volunteered to help job-candidates in need.
Because we hope to continue, improve, and expand the program, Helen and I would also like to share some feedback we have received. In today's post, I will share feedback we received from mentees. Then, in subsequent posts, we will share feedback from our mentors and discuss the program for the coming year (we hope to open up signups fairly soon!).
This year, we were able to match 25 mentor/mentee pairs, and so far (updated: 7/11/17) 10 of our 25 mentees obtained full-time academic employment (3 postdocs, 6 TT positions). Because we hear a few mentees are still in the running for jobs, these numbers are still preliminary--and we hope to report any further news we receive. Here, though, is complete and unedited feedback we have received from this year's mentees so far:
FEEDBACK FROM MENTEES
Question 1: Types of mentoring received?
"Advice with dossier materials, advice with interview technique (including a skype dry run before an interview), some advice on dealing with job market stress and related issues (to be honest just having someone open and available to talk to about this stuff was helpful)." - Anonymous mentee
"[My mentor] read my application materials (CV, cover letters) and gave me some feedback about them. We had two Skype meetings plus some email exchanges. He gave me tips about how to do well in interviews and how to present my research/teaching interests in a more interesting way, among other things." - Anonymous mentee
"Review of dossier materials, Skype meetings about dossier materials, email advice." - Anonymous Mentee
"Review of dossier. Two Skype chats to discuss dossier, application strategies, interviewing tips." - Anonymous Mentee
"Dossier Materials (Teaching Statement + Portfolio; Research Statement; Cover Letter; CV)" - Anonymous Mentee
"Comments on all materials." - Anonymous Mentee
"dossier materials, interview advice, mock interview, general career advice." - Anonymous Mentee
UPDATES:
"All dossier materials and interviewing." - Charles Snyder (mentee)
'Feedback on dossier materials and examples' - Craig Agule (mentee)
'A very helpful Skype conversation' - Anonymous mentee
'Dossier, general job market info' - Anonymous mentee
Question 2: Did you find the mentoring program helpful on balance?
"Yes, extremely. Over the last couple of years, I have solicited advice on my job materials from a number of people, including a paid consultant (Karen Kelsey). The advice I received from my mentor (S. Bloch-Schulman) was by far the most helpful of any I’ve received, as evidenced by its impact: I went from 0 TT interviews to 5+." - Anonymous Mentee
"Absolutely, it was extremely helpful, and I think marked a turning point in my time on the job market (in fact, my first interview was on the first job for which I got dossier feedback)." - Anonymous Mentee
"Yes. VERY helpful!" - Anonymous mentee
"Yes" - Anonymous mentee
"Absolutely" - Anonymous mentee
"Yes" - Anonymous mentee
"Yes" - Anonymous mentee
UPDATES:
'Yes. The program was very helpful.' - Charles Snyder (mentee)
'Yes!' - Anonymous mentee
'Yes.' - Craig Agule (mentee)
'Yes!' - Anonymous mentee
Question: What did you find the most helpful?
"Having someone to help keep me grounded and sane when I was catastrophizing about the job market, the possibility of never getting a job, how awful my materials looked, the disappointment following rejection, not landing an interview I really wanted (both first-round and on-campus), not landing a job after an on-campus interview (which seriously feels like a break up, I quickly learned), etc." - Anonymous mentee
"My mentor pointed out areas for improvement in my job materials that I (and others who had reviewed them) had missed—but which now, in retrospect, were lacking. It was also helpful to get a critique from someone especially knowledgeable about teaching (as I’ve concentrated on the research side of my credentials)." - Anonymous mentee
"In depth comments on my dossier materials from someone with a critical eye." -Anonymous mentee
"The fact that there are mentors who address the mentee’s specific needs (as opposed to just giving general advice)." - Anonymous mentee
"Having someone with recent and relevant experience cast an eye on my documents, and make suggestions about how to frame myself and my work." - Anonymous mentee
"Critical evaluation of my dossier materials. Really highlighting what is unique about my research/teaching." - Anonymous mentee
"Dossier materials review, mock skype interview, general strategizing about job market, how to list AOS/ AOC, etc." - Anonymous mentee
UPDATES:
"The Mentor’s kindness, timeliness in responding to emails, practical wisdom, transparency, and sincerity." - Charles Snyder (mentee)
'I only really did dossier feedback. I think [my mentor] would have provided more help had I asked.' - Craig Agule
'[My mentor] had excellent practical advice. She knew the sorts of things that I should say on a CV. It was also a huge encouragement to feel valued enough that she’d take time for me – feeling valued is a rare commodity in this job market.' - Anonymous mentee
'Since [my mentor] and I both live in [the same city], we got to meet in person, and he is such an incredible person. It was really great to get feedback from someone outside my department, particularly thinking about the many types of jobs that are available (that my committee wouldn’t necessarily know about what makes a good applicant, like 2 year colleges, or non-research schools)' - Anonymous mentee
Question 3: what did you find the least helpful?
"Honestly all of my interactions with [...] were helpful." - Anonymous mentee
"I suppose if I were forced to say something, it would be that my mentor and I had little overlap in terms of professional interests/AOSs, etc. (But perhaps this was in fact a strength, as he was able to provide an objective eye on things)." - Anonymous mentee
"[left blank]" - Anonymous mentee
"[left blank]" - Anonymous mentee
"N/A" - Anonymous mentee
"n/a" - Anonymous mentee
"Having a mentor who wasn’t too familiar with the US and Canadian job market." - Anonymous mentee
UPDATES:
"Mentorship is not helpful if or when it makes use of substantive philosophical ideas (e.g., about what is good philosophy or what is not, or what is philosophical versus historical, etc.). The more mechanical the advice, the better." - Charles Snyder (mentee)
'n/a' - Craig Agule
'n/a' - Anonymous mentee
'[left blank] - Anonymous mentee
Question 4: How, if at all, did participation in the program affect your performance on the job-market? (more interviews?...)
"Yes. Last year (before the mentoring program) I had 0 TT job interviews. This year I’ve had 5, and am currently in the running for TT positions." - Anonymous mentee
"Yes. Last round I had no TT interviews, but landed a postdoc. This round I only applied to TTs/Permanent Lectureships. I had three on-campus interviews: 2 UK permanent lectureships at PhD granting departments; 1 US TT (3/3) at a research/teaching department with MA program. I was offered, and accepted, the position at the US TT." - Anonymous Mentee
"As mentioned in response to (a) I had not received any interviews before I participated in the program. After I had received feedback on my materials I landed an interview for a three year postdoc at the university of [anonymized]. I ended up being their second choice, but their first choice had something like 14 publications (including one at J-Phil), and a book manuscript under review, so I don’t think any amount of interview or dossier polishing would have landed me the top spot. I was extremely lucky though, as they offered me a two year post-doc instead, which I accepted. I am now happily employed at [anonymized]." - Anonymous Mentee
"I think it did help me to get a few more interviews, and may have also helped me to get the very late TT job offer I recently received (still negotiating the contract)." - Anonymous Mentee
"There were no more, no less interviews than before. But I got an assistant professorship position (doing the paperwork now, not official yet)." - Anonymous Mentee
"N/A, I was a first-time job market candidate." - Anonymous Mentee
"I can’t tell. I got no interviews this year and had one last year, so it’s not going to be statistically significant. Plus, I have other strikes against me to begin with (unpopular AOS, few publications, ABD, not an especially fancy university). I got a postdoc in the end, but my mentor had no direct input on that application, which pre-dated his advice. I was informed that I made a few long lists this time around, however, which AFAIK didn’t happen at all last year. All that said, I think it’s unquestionable that my materials were much, much better this time around. And that will doubtless make a big difference the next time I’m on the market." - Anonymous Mentee
UPDATES:
"It has made me more selective in the application process." - Charles Snyder (mentee)
''This was my first time on the job market.' - Craig Agule
'It is hard to say since I’m not yet applying very vigorously. But I think my CV does look a lot more professional as a result.' - Anonymous mentee
'No Idea! I think it gave me more confidence, and it broadened my understanding of how the job market works. But I don’t know if it directly impacted which interviews I did/didn’t get.' - Anonymous mentee
Question 5: would you recommend the program to other job-candidates?
"Absolutely. I think this sort of mentoring is essential, especially for those of us who have to work against the prestige bias and more established mentoring support for candidates coming out of “Leiterrific” programs." - Anonymous mentee
"Absolutely. I think everyone who is eligible should take advantage of this program, or the one like it run by FP. I think it made a significant difference for me. I had been unemployed with no interviews for almost a year. Then the first job I applied to after receiving mentoring I landed an interview (and a job, although not quite the job applied to)." - Anonymous mentee
"Yes, because it’s helpful!" - Anonymous mentee
"Absolutely. There’s really no substitute for competent and engaged feedback on your application materials. It does wonders for the materials themselves, but also for your confidence—and that can’t be underestimated. It’s a relatively small thing, but it has a huge positive impact. I think this is an invaluable service to the profession." - Anonymous mentee
"Yes, I think it’s an incredibly valuable service to the profession. PhD programs do not do nearly enough to help prepare job market candidates, and they certainly don’t provide the kind of moral support that job candidates need. One could go to a therapist to talk through their feelings of self-doubt, failure, and so on, but it’s so much more helpful to have a philosopher who understands what it’s like to be a job candidate to email, Skype, or call during the particularly difficult times." - Anonymous mentee
"Yes, for the reasons given." - Anonymous mentee
"Definitely. My only concern is that there’s no reason to expect that whoever I recommend the program to will be matched with such an effective mentor—but there’s probably nothing to do about that." - Anonymous mentee
"Yes, and I’d happy to be a mentor in the future...I’m just so grateful that you have both taken on this important work. It was a relief to find out that I could participate in this program when I was floundering." - Anonymous mentee
UPDATES:
"Yes, I have and I will continue to do so." - Charles Snyder
'Yes, as I tell everyone, get all the advice you can get, and get it especially from diverse sources.' - Craig Agule
'Yes. It’s really helpful to feel like there’s someone there for you, even if you avail yourself of their advice only occasionally. And if my experience is any indication, you will get some very valuable advice.' - Anonymous mentee
'Of course!' - Anonymous mentee
Question 6: do you have any suggestions for how our program might be improved?
"No." - Anonymous mentee
"[left blank]" - Anonymous mentee
"[left blank]" - Anonymous mentee
"My experience with the program was great. My main feedback would be with regards to getting people onto the program. Firstly, I at least found it a little unclear whether I would qualify for it. When I applied, it was a bit of a shot in the dark. I am a white male, and I don’t really have a proper disability. I have generalized anxiety disorder, and (to a lesser extent) issues with the nexus of surrounding problems. And I had been on the market, and out of an academic environment, for about a year. I think many others in my position might be hesitant to sign up not really knowing if they qualify (I think this sort of issue is especially big for people with anxiety issues). I guess it could be advertised more widely too, perhaps with testimonials (I guess this is what you are doing now though right?)." - Anonymous mentee
"If possible, try to match job candidates with mentors who are familiar with the types of jobs the candidate will be applying to." - Anonymous mentee
"One thing that might be helpful is some sort of general timetable to give guidelines as to what to do when. I was a little nervous, for example, to send my dossier materials to my mentor too early, and then almost waited until too late. Anything that would encourage both parties to develop a sort of “game plan” in advance (e.g., a worksheet that could be filled out to say we’ll check in on X date about stock materials, on X date about how letters are going, on X dates about…, etc.,) might help to organize the process better for all involved." - Anonymous mentee
"[left blank]" - Anonymous mentee
UPDATES:
"See...above" - Charles Snyder (mentee)
'Not particularly--it’s a great service you guys are running!' - Craig Agule
'Left blank' - Anonymous mentee
'Not really. I just want to say again Thank You for putting this together. The job market is incredibly daunting. To have someone looking at my file and know they aren’t thinking about whether to reject me or who to compare me to in their letter of recommendation was really important. This is a labor of love for all the mentors and for you, the organizers. And I really appreciate it. I hope that I will have opportunity to mentor in the future! (I was lucky enough to get a postdoc and a tenure track job, so it looks like I will be in the profession next year…)' - Anonymous mentee
It is wonderful to hear from most of the mentees we've heard from so far that their experiences have been positive. In my next post, I will relay some of the feedback we received from this year's mentors!
Measuring the success of such a program can be difficult, given that we do not know how people would have done on the market without this support (or how they did on the market compared to a comparable group who did not use the program). But the testimonials from the participants do make it clear that they generally felt they had additional support in what is truly a difficult time and task. That in itself makes the program worthwhile. Bravo to the mentors and organizers.
Posted by: Brad | 05/01/2017 at 01:33 PM
Thanks for the kind words, Brad. :)
Posted by: Marcus Arvan | 05/02/2017 at 03:38 PM
I should stress that getting personalized attention on my dossier was incredibly helpful. Even with all the guides and the rest, nothing beat getting feedback from people who had been through the process. Thanks so much Seth and Marcus for doing that and for setting that up!
Posted by: Craig | 05/02/2017 at 06:28 PM
I had someone ask me when mentors sign up for next season...
Posted by: Amanda | 05/02/2017 at 08:39 PM
Amanda: we should be announcing the signup start-date soon!
Posted by: Marcus Arvan | 05/02/2017 at 09:35 PM
Cool!
Posted by: Amanda | 05/03/2017 at 05:27 AM