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[all_my_frenemies]

This is an open question. Perhaps I travel in capable circles, but three people I know who got jobs ABD last year were given some form of teaching exemption at their new jobs for all (2) or the first half (1) of this year. Two were social science and one was natural science/forestry. In all cases this was cast as time for cours/professional  development and a chance to get early revisions on the book manuscript rolling.

In the broad collective experience of the forumites reading this, how common is that sort of thing? I don't remember it happening in previous years, so I am wondering if this is something that is becoming more common. Maybe last year was just a fluke?

[pink_]

Most of the ABD's I know who got job offers were done before they started those positions.  I only know 2 people in the last 3 years (out of dozens above) who were hired as ABD and didn't get their degrees filed before starting the new position.  Of those two, one had maternity leave and then did not get any additional reduction in teaching.  I don't think that she's done yet.  The other one didn't finish before starting, and didn't get a break in anything but salary (was hired as instructor, to be converted to tt upon receipt of degree).  That person finished after a year.  In the current market, there are lots of un- or under-employed, freshly-minted Ph.D.'s out there, so I'm afraid that things have only gotten more difficult.

My field is so crowded, that we tend to not even get interviews until we have degree in hand, so while I went out before I was done, it really didn't get me any practice in anything but my gameface when asked about the MLA interviews I wasn't getting.  It was easier to go out the second time since I had drafts of all the materials, but it was also easier because I could describe the project better, talk more easily about the research agenda, etc.  Plus, I had zero expectations after the first time. 

[all_my_frenemies]

I should clarify: they were ABD on the market and when they were hired, but finished before they started.

Thanks for the other examples. I recalled another recent story of someone from a prestigious school in the mid-west who got hired by a prestigious school in Canada as ABD with the stipulation that the diss be submitted within a year. It wasn't, and the still-Abd'er was sent south.

[prof_smartypants]

I should clarify: they were ABD on the market and when they were hired, but finished before they started.

This was me. I got hired non-tt. No course releases. 3-3; all new preps.

[watermarkup]

Pardon my butting in to an ABD thread. The mutual cheerleading really wasn't my thing, but I don't think it necessarily needed the reality principle to land on it like a ton of bricks. This thread was kind of charming, in a way, because it's November, and I remember when this time of year was full of promise and possibility. All the major applications are out or about to go out at this point, and then the nervous excitement of waiting for conference interviews begins.

You know when ABDs are going to need a support group, and some kind but firm words of advice? December, when death by wiki begins in earnest (or, if you prefer the traditional route, "I'll be Home for Christmas" set as a funeral dirge, as no presents materialize on Christmas Eve). Or February, when that fantastic talk with your future colleagues in a hotel suite turns into...nothing. Or April, when that 1-year job starts to look a lot better than it did when the ad first came out, but you still can't get an interview for it. Or May, when you're desperately trying to finish or defend or revise your dissertation, not before you start your great new job, but before your funding and your lease runs out and you go driving off into the golden sunset towards...nothing. That's when ABDs are going to need a support group, and some good advice.

So I vote for letting the ABDs enjoy the few weeks of endless possibility while they still can. The hard-headed advice will still be valuable three or four weeks from now.

[all_my_frenemies]

As an ABD'er still willfully denying my future, I second that characterization of our coming months!

It is nice the the 'regular' job check-in thread doesn't have all the silly emoticon-laden cheerleading and meaningless status updates that happen here. Credentialed professionals don't do that charmingly precious and naive support group stuff. Right?  ....right!

[madhatter]

Pardon my butting in to an ABD thread. The mutual cheerleading really wasn't my thing, but I don't think it necessarily needed the reality principle to land on it like a ton of bricks....

Day-umm, watermarkup! That was a good five-ton post there. I'm not ABD and even I'm depressed now!

[watermarkup]

Sorry. I have bad flashbacks during job-search season.

[berkeleygirl]

By the way....if any of you contribute to diversity in any way (identity or scholarship) check out Depauw's CFD fellowship.  "consortium for faculty diversity" 40+ SLAC, one app, rolling deadline, pre and post docs....a must app for anyone who qualifies. The postdocs get paid well!!!!

Hey..I posted that. (insert happy unicorn sticker here).

[polly_mer]

By the way....if any of you contribute to diversity in any way (identity or scholarship) check out Depauw's CFD fellowship.  "consortium for faculty diversity" 40+ SLAC, one app, rolling deadline, pre and post docs....a must app for anyone who qualifies. The postdocs get paid well!!!!

Hey..I posted that. (insert happy unicorn sticker here).

Get that spammer for plagiarism!

While your original post on that topic was helpful and it's nice to see it pop back up for those who aren't going to read the whole thread, I think what you should do is put a frowny emoticon on.

Spammers don't deserve your good stickers.  As much as I am anti-cheerleader, you should save your unicorn stickers for people who accomplished something useful (e.g., apps, chapter revision, abstract) this week.  If you're bound and determined to be relentlessly cheerful and celebrate the small steps, at least celebrate with the accomplishments of people who are ABD on the market and could use a little applause at this point.

[prephd]

I just got back from my on-campus interview. Other than interviews in industry, phone interviews, and CC interviews, this is my first *real* academic on-campus interview.

I've got to say that the question I was asked at every. single. meeting. was "Are you absolutely certain you will finish the dissertation before you start?" And it's not even necessary for the job (they'll give me up to two years to finish after coming on board). But it's highly recommended, as they've been burnt in the past by people who never finished and they had to fire. It also makes it awfully hard to start a research agenda if the diss isn't finished yet.

Just be prepared to answer this question. Multiple times. In multiple different ways.

[berkeleygirl]

Polly_mer, you are right, I am taking my sticker back! Prephd, congrats on completing the interview and thanks for sharing.   I have just acquired a whole role of evil smurf stickers to slap on spammers. They should suffice.

[grasshopper]

Hey hey hey! That's great, Prephd! Was that your first on-campus interview?* How do you feel?

I've got to say that the question I was asked at every. single. meeting. was "Are you absolutely certain you will finish the dissertation before you start?"

Why even bother asking the question? They know what everybody's going to say, whether it's true or not. You'd have to be an idiot to say "no".



* Uh, yes, obviously it was, since you said it was. Forgive my quick reading. But still, congrats.

[prephd]

Hey hey hey! That's great, Prephd! Was that your first on-campus interview?* How do you feel?

I've got to say that the question I was asked at every. single. meeting. was "Are you absolutely certain you will finish the dissertation before you start?"

Why even bother asking the question? They know what everybody's going to say, whether it's true or not. You'd have to be an idiot to say "no".



* Uh, yes, obviously it was, since you said it was. Forgive my quick reading. But still, congrats.

After the seventh or eighth time I answered it, I almost contemplated saying, "Nah, actually I thought I'd just let it wither and die while I ride out my first six years on the TT, get denied tenure, and find a job at some other place." But I didn't. Seriously, duh.

[pink_]

Hey hey hey! That's great, Prephd! Was that your first on-campus interview?* How do you feel?

I've got to say that the question I was asked at every. single. meeting. was "Are you absolutely certain you will finish the dissertation before you start?"

Why even bother asking the question? They know what everybody's going to say, whether it's true or not. You'd have to be an idiot to say "no".

You would be surprised.
There are idiots.  There are also people who haven't anticipated the question and so stumble.