In the comments section of our most recent "how can we help you?" post, a reader writes:
I recently completed my PhD in philosophy from a small department which, while having good faculty (as per my estimate, based on teaching and publications), is not a top-ranked school. Graduates are typically hired for full time instructor or lecturer positions.
Early in the dissertation process, I began a romantic relationship with another student in the department. After a death in the family which placed her in a bad situation emotionally and financially, we decided to move in together. The plan at the time was that we would finish our degrees, look for work, and move to wherever one of us got a decent job offer.
During this time, her children (from a previous marriage) began to do very well in school (they consistently test in the top of their classes). They are at a very good public school system, and my fiancé is, understandably, highly reluctant to move. In that time, I have also become a regular part of their lives, and I would be very reluctant to leave them, both for their sake and mine.
I can look for full-time positions in the area, but that would impose severe restrictions on where I can apply to. Another possibility is that I wait to apply for academic positions after our kids have graduated high school. For our youngest, this will be in 9 years. What I would like to know is whether and to what extent that gap in time will hurt my chances of being hired to an academic position, and, what, if anything, could be done to alleviate any negative effects of that gap?
Of course, I would try to publish during this period. I would also like to present at conferences, but my budget is extremely limited making this very difficult.
In response, another reader wrote:
My sense is that if you spend the next 9 years - which is at least 9 years after you got your PhD (since you are a recent PhD) - working in contingent positions (adjuncting, for example), you will not be competitive for a tenure track position. Assume that there are between 200 and 300 new PhDs in philosophy every year in the USA. In that time, then, there will be 1800-2700 new competitors on the market. You can see the challenges you will face.
I have a similar sense of things. In my experience, it is very difficult (though not impossible) to work one's way out of non-tenure-track positions into a tenure-track one. I think this is in part due to perception--that is, due to search committees consciously or unconsciously judging candidates on the basis of their "career trajectory." Of course, if the person consistently gets stellar teaching reviews, publishes in good places, develops great teaching materials and evidence of service to their institution, it may be possible for them to move into a TT job. However, my sense once again is that it would probably be very difficult.
On the other hand, because the job-market is already so unforgiving, none of this is to say that they shouldn't risk it, all things considered--perhaps for the sake of their relationship. In my own case, if I had to choose between advancing my career and doing what is best for my family, I would do the latter (as my spouse has improved my life far more than a job ever could!). However, I am a bit puzzled in the reader's case as to why their fiance couldn't join them if they got a full-time academic job elsewhere. As the reader describes it, their fiance is in their same program--so why couldn't their fiance finish their degree from afar (i.e. wherever the reader gets a job)? For my part, I would be wary of risking my career prospects for someone I wasn't married to yet. Unfortunately, I've known engaged couples who, for whatever reason, never ended up getting married--so putting one's career on hold before marriage might be a serious risk. Although I recognize in this case that the person's fiance has children--and every couple must make their own decisions about what is right for them and their children--it is still unclear to me why they wouldn't be able to move if the reader got a TT job.
Anyway, these are my thoughts. What do you all think?
What a tough situation.
I agree a 9-year gap will almost certainly damage the applicant's chances of getting a TT job.
As for the reluctance to move, based on the remarks above, the main factor appears to be moving the children when they are in a good school. I have a school-age child and both they and we, their parents, are very happy with the school. I'd be *hugely* reluctant to risk that by moving. First, it can be really hard to find good schools, and in particular good schools that are a good fit for your particular child. Second, moving schools and cities is of course a huge deal for a child. If they're happy where they are, it's a huge gamble to move. Now, it might still be worth it, all things considered, but I think the hesitation is totally reasonable.
Posted by: O. | 09/25/2017 at 11:53 AM
Marcus I think the reader is pretty clear the reason he wouldn't be able to move is because his fiance doesn't want to move the kids. Maybe this is a good reason, maybe not. I think it is impossible to know without knowing more about their situation. As you said, your wife brings you more happiness than your job, and it can be basically the same thing for this poster. I am not sure why whether they are married or yet makes any difference. Sure they could break-up, but married people break up as well.
Anyway, maybe my experience deals with exceptions, but I know several people who got TT jobs after doing adjunct or lecturer positions for 5-10 years. I think for teaching schools what matters the most is a good fit and teaching experience Waiting 9 years might put someone back some but not a lot (for teaching jobs). Granted, I have not served on a job search committee, but I still know people who have been hired and I know a lot of people who have been on committees. Each committee, is very different of course.
Posted by: Amanda | 09/25/2017 at 11:55 AM
Hi Amanda: agreed, those are all good points.
Posted by: Marcus Arvan | 09/25/2017 at 12:10 PM
I am in a similar spot. 3 years out of an unranked school. I've been a full-time contract lecture for the last 4 years. 7 publications. 6 co-authored, 1 solo. I wonder, does the "stale by" date on my PhD issue from when I got my current gig? Or does it issue from the date of my PhD conferral? Either way, I suspect, there is no point in my applying anywhere.
Posted by: gradjunct | 09/25/2017 at 04:00 PM
Thanks for the responses.
The impression I'm getting is that after nine years, my chances of getting a TT position are dim.
What about a full-time (not adjunct) lecturer or instructor position?
(I know folks who have such positions, who teach fewer classes than me but get paid more!)
Posted by: RecentPhD | 09/25/2017 at 05:32 PM
gradjunct: I was worried about staleness a lot when I was on the market, but my experience was that there is no real "stale-by date." I was told that the key thing is to make sure that you don't look stale--which you can do by continuing to publish, etc. This advice worked for me. I was on the market for seven years, and got more interviews and flyouts (and ultimately a job) as the years went on. I also know a fellow who was on the market for 10 years before getting a TT job. None of this is to say it is easy or likely (or even wise to remain on the market that long) - just that it is possible to not "go stale."
Posted by: Marcus Arvan | 09/25/2017 at 06:03 PM
I don't know much about how the job market works, but I couldn't imagine sitting around for 9 years doing short-term contract gigs, thinking maybe a decade from now to move into a TT job. I'd consider moving onto a different career path.
Posted by: Pendaran | 09/26/2017 at 12:17 PM
Well I think everyone's chance of getting a tt job are dim. I don't think your chances will change all that much after 9 years. I think your chance of getting a lecturer position might be even higher, because of all your teaching experience. However, those jobs are often go by people already in adjunct positions. So who knows? If one opens up at the school where you adjunct yo could get one before waiting 9 years without having to move.
Posted by: Amanda | 09/26/2017 at 03:54 PM
It may also be worth considering whether moving in nine years is realistic given the family situation. At least if the fiancée considers it too distruptove to move the kids to a different school system now, Im not convinced that she is going to be that much more apt to move simply because they're done with school. It could be that the kids all go off to college outside the area. If they're at a school in the area, the fiancée may still want to be nearby so they can come home on weekends. If they're not going to school, they're living at home or just learning how to take care of themselves. So she may want to be nearby as a support system. If the youngest is still at home then he/she is probably going to have roots there and may not want to move to another random city and the fiancée may not be apt to leave them there them either. None of this is to say that there is anything wrong with moving at that point, just that I don't know if you can count on being able to move in nine years.
Posted by: mrd | 09/28/2017 at 08:03 AM