February 24: Final Interview

WooHoo! The final candidate was on campus today for the iSL Director position. Today's candidate wasn't my favorite.  Although I think he had some good ideas for ways to enhance things in iSL, his approach and demeanor rubbed me the wrong way.  Good news, I think all three candidates could do the job.  Here's to hoping my favorite gets it!

January 31: Thank You!

I finished many of my thank you notes while still in Texas, but I had some I still need to write.  Thus, I finished them tonight and will mail them back to San Marcos, TX tomorrow.

January 29: Altanta Snow Storm 2014

Today was the third and final interview day.  I got to meet with the interim chair (who is fantastic) and the dean of the college who is a Georgia bulldawg (from the same program, many, many years ago).   After lunch, I was suppose to fly out to Atlanta, however, with the weather being what it was in ALT my flight kept being delayed.  Finally, when I was suppose to arrive back in Atlanta at 11pm at night, I asked to be moved to a morning flight.  Texas State was great in that they offered to house me another night if needed.  Luckily, some UGA friends were out in Austin for a conference and also stuck for the night.  Thus, I was able to bunk with them.  After taking a cab to meet up with them, we went to sushi for dinner.  It was delicious.  I'd love to live in Austin.  Only time will tell if that's a possibility.

January 28: TX State Interview Day (day 2)

Today is the actually formal, interview day...well today and tomorrow.  This morning, however, a huge storm has hit Austin and San Marcos and I know it affected some people coming into work as many of the faculty live in south Austin.  Although the days are busy, it was nice that they worked in some time for me to rest (ie. before dinner).  Today I have both my research presentation and teaching demonstration back to back.  Long, albeit exciting days.

 

January 27: TX State Interview (day 1)

After flying into to Austin, Greg (the guy who picked me up) took me to my hotel to check in.  They put me up in the Embassy Suites in a room with a living area, two really comfy beds (although I only slept on one), free breakfast, and a free happy hour.  Yep, they have a free cocktail hour, however, I wasn't at the hotel during that time.  Anyway, it was a nice place.  After the first dinner and tour, I got back to the room before 9pm, and was definitely asleep before 9...I was tired, and I knew I had a very long couple of days ahead of me.

January 16: Practice Presentation

In a week and a half I will be interviewing at Texas State University for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position.  I'm still swivel between shock, excitement, and nervousness.  As part of the interview, I have to give a research presentation and a teaching demonstration.  Today I practiced my research presentation for two of my faculty.  They both offered good feedback for improvement.  It was even kind of funny to see them offer feedback and disagree with one another.  My dissertation research is such a strange beast, I really have to make it accessible to a general audience.  Next week I'm practicing my teaching demonstration in front of students.  

In other job search stuff, I have a phone interview for a Michigan State faculty position (2-year fixed term).  Frankly, I'm surprised I have an interview (but super excited).  Oh, and it will be the morning I fly out to Texas State.  Yep, fun times.  Aside from those two, I haven't heard a peep from anywhere else I've applied.  

December 5: Athens Christmas Parade

Today I had a phone interview for a faculty position at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.  The position would involved teaching (and research) in their master's program.  Phone interviews are always awkward (and it was my first for a faculty position)...especially when they start by asking you if they can record it.  What?! Yikes?! Ummm, okay.  Here are my notes, curriculum vita (CV), and cover letter.  Having notes helps me feel like I'm prepared...although can you ever really be?! 

Tonight we also had our annual UGAspa (masters & phd) holiday potluck dinner followed by the Athens parade.  Here are some pictures from the parade and some highlights of the event.

Yep, those are storm troopers.

Yep, and a REAL camel.

Tiphaine and I...and last but not least, Santa.