|
|
Post by braaaaains on Jan 21, 2009 20:39:51 GMT -5
With the Feb JFP coming in a few weeks, and possibly some new VAP positions in it, the question on my mind is, are there any career benefits to VAP jobs? I'm already an adjunct (same place for a few years) in a not very prestigious but congenial dept that I really like (although with state budget cuts, the future is unpredictable) (and I'm ABD in a very non-Leiterrific dept) , and have two other non-teaching jobs. I've got a family and a house and cats, and I'm settled in my community. I get health care and all that through my spouse's job -- spouse is a telecommuter and can work anywhere in the US with broadband. Packing it all up for a one year gig with a 4/4 teaching load would have to give me some real benefits that I'm not already getting -- the possibility of a little more money wouldn't do it (I'd be paying rent and a mortgage, for one thing).
So -- pros and cons of VAPs?
|
|
|
|
Post by anonymous on Jan 22, 2009 23:36:48 GMT -5
Whether or not a VAP is beneficial depends, in part, on the strengths and weaknesses of one's dossier. Is your biggest weakness a lack of teaching experience? Then a 4/4 VAP may be what you need. Do you have plenty of teaching experience but are lagging on your dissertation? Then, if you can afford it, devote the time to your dissertation and perhaps an article. Have you already defended? Then a VAP will help you avoid gaps in your CV.
Given that you already have a temporary gig, that your family's settled, and that you aren't willing to move for more money, I don't see what reason you'd have to take a VAP.
|
|
|
|
Post by braaaaains on Jan 23, 2009 23:07:32 GMT -5
That's kinda what I was thinking. I've got years of teaching experience. What I lack is publications and a pedigree.
|
|
|
|
Post by categoricalimp on Jan 25, 2009 21:12:09 GMT -5
It does sound like you'd be better off staying where you are and cranking out your dissertation and some publications. The only other consideration I can think of is that a VAP might open up at a dept. that has people working in your area with whom it would be good to work. Or the dept. might have a good lecture series, and you'd be able to meet people that way. Having people around with whom you can discuss your research is so important. However, you'd have to check the dept. out to see how they treat visitors. I had a one year position at a dept. that only very grudgingly allowed VAPs to attend colloquia, and did not allow them to attend dinner with the speakers. At first I was confused and thought it was a financial issue, so I said I didn't expect the dept. to cover my dinner and of course I would pay for myself. The dept. chair looked uncomfortable and said, "But, you see, we invited these people here for *us*, so *we* could talk to them." I couldn't believe it; it was a small dept. and it wasn't like a bunch of people were fighting for a chance to talk with the visiting speakers. But, clearly, they didn't think of their VAPs as members of the dept. at all. Fortunately, I haven't run into this attitude very often.
Anyway, it's something to think about, but it sounds like you're already in a good situation for finishing up your diss.
|
|
|
|
Post by braaaaains on Jan 25, 2009 21:16:55 GMT -5
My diss is done. My chair passed it. It's in the hands of the rest of my committee. So, I'm looking at graduating this spring. But I'm going to sit tight, I think, (hahahahaha -- as if I have a choice!) and hope my adjunct job doesn't get axed because of budget cuts. Oh, the perils of this wintry economic climate.
|
|
