That Dream Job

Since everyone is exhausted from paper grading and the end-of-year activities, I thought I’d post something light.

One of my lasting memories of doctoral work came after I had completed my comprehensive exams. I had a subsequent recurring nightmare that I hadn’t actually taken my exams and that when I showed up to take them, they made me drive to the local mall, where they gave me a seat in the food court. I tried to write my essays on one of the wobbly tables but kept getting interrupted by my students. I woke up with my heart in my throat every time it happened.

I had similar dreams when I was on the market, that I had an interview for a position, again in the food court, but the search committee was staffed entirely by my dissertation committee, who scowled and corrected my every answer.

Have any of you had dreams or nightmares about your job searches?