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smurfette
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« on: April 17, 2007, 03:50:46 PM » |
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I am seeking wisdom from the forumites.
I start my new position in August, moving in June across the country. I've been so consumed with immediate tasks like selling my house, figuring out how to pack and move, and finishing my postdoc that I feel that I haven't done anything related to preparing for being a new faculty there. I know my teaching schedule, but have not prepared anything related to the classes.
Should I be contacting people at my dept right about now and asking about the textbooks, syllabi from the instructors who had these classes before, the set up of my office, or anything? Their semester ends early (before May), so I figured I'd wait until their finals are over. But I'm going abroad in a few days and didn't want to wait too long to touch base with them.
Maybe I'm doing ok, but I feel like I should be doing something to prepare. Help!
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bio_prof_
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« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2007, 03:51:54 PM » |
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Should I be contacting people at my dept right about now and asking about the textbooks, syllabi from the instructors who had these classes before, the set up of my office, or anything? Their semester ends early (before May), so I figured I'd wait until their finals are over. But I'm going abroad in a few days and didn't want to wait too long to touch base with them.
Maybe I'm doing ok, but I feel like I should be doing something to prepare. Help!
Yes, do these things; and you might want to do them now, before the faculty disperse for the summer. |
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That's all for now.
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allbutfoundajob
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« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2007, 03:54:39 PM » |
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You have more time that I do. I start my new job in July. My department chair has requested that I send them specs for my new computer and what I want in my office. This department tries to have the offic ready so that we have a "home" base already established when we get there and begin setting up our labs. It is also nice because the department will spend up to $3000 for a computer that does not come out of my start up money.
Would your new department do this for you?
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professorx
New member
Posts: 26
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« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2007, 08:31:11 AM » |
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I happened upon a grad student taking digital pics of an empty office the other day. Turns out, they were for a new hire eager to see the new digs. Perhaps this could be arranged for you, too, particularly if you don't know how much bookshelving to expect or whether to bring that tall but interesting coat rack.
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hulahu
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« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2007, 10:02:02 AM » |
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Assuming you are going to be at an R1, pay no attention whatsoever to syllabus, class prep., etc. at this time Instead, focus all you can on your post doc and get as many pubs as you can under review between now and June. Make maximum use of your post doc resources (consults, lab, mentors, whatever) because resources may not be as good at your new place, and even if they are, it will take a while to locate them and get used to new things/people. Be sure to give journal editors your new address, and let the reviewers work on reading & commenting on your stuff while you are (temporarily) un-hinged with the move. Then, when you get to the new place, unpack only what is absolutely necessary at your new home & office. Do not obsess with organization & decoration! Instead, focus on the *next publication to go out the door, and get that one under review before fall. Sometime a week or two before the first class, ask for any syllabi or other materials, locate the classroom where you will be teaching, etc. Plan on doing most of your prep on a week-by-week basis during the fall, *while your pubs are under review*. This worked for me--I had one paper published by December, and two accepted by my second semester. I am only now finishing organizing my office & files. Good luck!
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hulahu
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« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2007, 10:25:30 AM » |
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One more thing--I *would ask about textbooks, and (if necessary) make a decision about them and get them ordered now. But really, everything else can wait...
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science_expat
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« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2007, 10:46:44 AM » |
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I think hulahu gives good advice. Focus on your research while you can!
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Professor of Something Scarily Scientific Sounding
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newbie
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« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2007, 04:05:35 PM » |
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Huhu gives some good advice if it's possible... but it's not always possible.
At some universities, you are required to provide syllabi and textbooks several weeks before the semester begins, and if you're prepping a class from scratch, it takes time to do so. I agree with trying to prepare your classes on a week-by-week basis as much as possible, but be reasonable.
It can't HURT to ask for syllabi from your new colleagues once their semester is done. You can look over them and think about them but put them aside for a few weeks (or longer) to focus on research and other things as much as possible. Who knows, maybe the waiting will help inspire you for your classes.
If you have equipment to order for a research lab, then you may want to prepare your order so that when you arrive at your university, you can get the order out as soon as you can. Unfortunately, administrative work can take time, and the longer it takes to place your order for furniture and/or equipment, the longer before you can get your research started at your new location. An acquaintance of mine did not get her lab equipment until halfway through her second semester, and that really set her back.
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happyhistory
Junior member
Posts: 57
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« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2007, 06:25:34 AM » |
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Should I be contacting people at my dept right about now and asking about the textbooks, syllabi from the instructors who had these classes before, the set up of my office, or anything? Their semester ends early (before May), so I figured I'd wait until their finals are over. But I'm going abroad in a few days and didn't want to wait too long to touch base with them.
Maybe I'm doing ok, but I feel like I should be doing something to prepare. Help!
As several wise posters have commented, you should definitely find out about textbooks, syllabi and office set up issues. Beyond that, I think you should enjoy your journey across our great country and rest up for the fall. When August arrives, you should be rested and relaxed and ready to jump right into the fire. I do not expect new TT hires to do things relating to my institution in the summer before their first fall. Additionally, if you do too much and you burn out doing work before your arrival, it will make what is by most accounts a difficult year (ie., the first year TT) even more difficult. This is advice someone thankfully gave me..and more thankfully, I heeded. There was plenty of time in the subsequent years to knock out the books/pubs--but looking back, those precious few months before arriving at my institution did much to put me on the road to doing well....visit family, get settled in your new location, rest up, review your course materials for the fall, and mentally get ready....Hope it helps, good luck and enjoy the journey! |
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