Plan B?

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Plan B?

name (guest) 28 Feb 2016 16:17

As the academic search season is winding down without any offers in hand, it's time for me to start thinking about a Plan B.

What have others in the interim between search cycles? If you were ABD, did you start furiously applying for postdocs and VAPs? Adjunct to pay the bills? Something else entirely?

Re: Plan B?

DocJ 28 Feb 2016 16:58

Foremost, there is still some time. During my first academic search, I didn't land interviews until March, but they came all at once. Late in the cycle two things tend to happen causing some new positions to suddenly pop open even into late April: 1) a college has a failed search with their top candidates all getting picked elsewhere, 2) a tenure-track faculty member accepts a position at a stronger institution, leaving their current employer in a fast search to try to fill the faculty spot for the fall. Now, these late season jobs are overwhelmingly likely to be regional colleges, mid-range SLACS, or perhaps a rare R2. So, if you're not willing to work at such a place, you're largely out of luck now.

As for a Plan B, I recommend applying for VAPs if you want to work at anything but an R1 or elite SLAC; if the R1 is your dream, go for post-docs. At this stage, even a 1-year VAP or Post-Doc will at least look good on paper should you go back on the job hunt for the 2016-2017 cycle.

Adjunct work is a true last option. The pay is usually awful and won't likely pay the bills. At many institutions a 3-credit semester course nets an adjunct $1,500 to $4,000. And, it's improbable to land more than maybe 6-credits at one institution as an adjunct. You also tend to not have research lab space. The only exception I can think of is if you can stay at your grad institution as an adjunct and then work more on your research in your present lab.

Good luck!

asstprof (guest) 29 Feb 2016 02:26

I mostly agree with DocJ, with a few points of disagreement.

First, yes, it is possible to get an interview this late in the game due to the initial round of interviewees not working out, so the college goes into the pool again. However, I disagree with the idea that schools are posting new TT lines this late in the game, especially not as replacement hires for people leaving during that current year. 99% of the time when someone leaves, the post is vacant (or filled with a visitor) for a year before they post the position again. Most schools have a ridiculously long process to approve a line that is just too long to replace someone within that same year. Also, most places don't want to post new TT lines this late in the game when many candidates have already committed, and would rather have a shot at a fresh pool next year. I think it's highly unlikely you'll see a new TT job posting in your field at this point, but you might still be in the game at places that have interviewed others according to the wiki, but don't have further updates.

As for plan B, VAPs can be very good but I wouldn't say choose them over a postdoc for "anything but an R1 or elite SLAC." Lots of other schools still value publications over teaching. Moreover, it all really depends on where your current record is. If you have a lot of pubs and no teaching but want a job anywhere but an R1 (even an elite SLAC), then you should try for a VAP. Most people are in the opposite boat — some teaching, including maybe even one or more solo teaching experiences, and a thin publication record. A postdoc is a much better choice in that case, for the majority of positions.

Either way, adjuncting is definitely the last resort. It doesn't "pay the bills." If you want to adjunct it would be because you are location-limited and you need some teaching experience but there wasn't a VAP available for you. Ideally you'd just take on a couple of classes and mostly do your research on the side, either paid by someone (like a part-time postdoc) or funded by your spouse / savings / inheritance. (So yeah, this option is not a great choice.)

Re: Plan B?

Happy in the UK 29 Feb 2016 08:23

I just want to comment on the idea that no TT positions are posted this late. This is true for the US and perhaps Canada but it's definitely not true for the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other places. The job cycle is all year around and I actually think that more positions are posted now and in the next few months than in the fall. I think it's because it takes longer to get approvals for new hires, but on the other hand, the selection process tends to be shorter. While these jobs do not appeal to everyone, I think that if you do consider working outside the US you still have a chance, just look for these postings.

name (guest) 29 Feb 2016 13:39

Thanks, all. I am not location-limited and a postdoc seems to be a better option in terms of my overall career goals. I have applied to every postdoc for which I could reasonably fit, but there aren't that many postings (I'm not clinical or neuro, so these seem to be harder to find). Any suggestions for the best way to secure a postdoc position?

asstprof (guest) 29 Feb 2016 14:57

For postdocs you should ask individual people in your field. Lots of positions never get posted.

Re: Plan B?

DocJ 29 Feb 2016 17:17

A quick follow-up re: Asstprof's notes on TT postings from February onward - they will happen. Watch the Wiki and check HigherEd jobs (and other sources). At an institution where there may be only a single faculty member representing each psychology discipline, a vacancy can cause tremendous problems. At best, the college can hire adjuncts. For institutions in more rural areas, this might not be an option, so a vacancy means either the remaining faculty fill courses - or - courses are not offered. Neither of these are good options. I note this from direct experience with a past job search and from a hiring committee perspective. Keep watch. Some positions will still open. They won't be Ivy League nor R1, but they could be great places to start a career.

curious (guest) 29 Feb 2016 21:44

Do you think R2s will post jobs still? or are they done too?

Re: Plan B?

DocJ 01 Mar 2016 02:50

@curious

At this point, the March, April, and later 2016 hiring job ads will mainly be with mid-range (or lower) SLACs and regional state colleges. An R2 might pop up, but don't count on it. The fewer positions that open will primarily be places that have a current faculty member seeking a new position elsewhere - or - ended up having a finalist back out.

postdoc (guest) 01 Mar 2016 03:21

I found my post-doc positions through normal ads, although it doesn't hurt to check with people. Post-docs will still be posted for the next month or so, but I agree—they do appear to be limited this year for non-clinical people.

Good luck!

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