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[postmodern]

I am unsure if this belongs in this forum or under "Job Seeking Experiences," but could sure use some feedback and insight.

I am the chair of a department and thinking of going on the job market in the near future, in a serious search for another position. My colleagues, including my superiors, respect me and I have made a lot of positive changes for the department. Though the standards at my university are not particularly high, I certainly exceed expectations when it comes to teaching, service, professional activity, etc. I am untenured, which at face value means I should probably run screaming for the hills based on that fact alone. However, should I stay, tenure is more or less assured for me.

The problem is that I am extremely disillusioned and unhappy. The issues are not the usual administrative, pedagogical, or theoretical conflicts that one would expect in my position. They are far worse, to the point that none of the academic friends elsewhere who I have confided in can find situational parallels or hope to provide much constructive advice. I get a lot of stunned and appalled silences.

So, here are my questions:

* If I go on the market, should it be before or after tenure, considering my position as chair?
* I would consider another chair position, but also a professorship with no administrative components. Is the latter possible, and does it raise red flags?
* Am I generally better or worse off with my administrative experience?

[cgfunmathguy]

I can't answer the first as I've never worked at an institution that granted tenure.

It is definitely possible to take a professorship with no administrative duties, if you so desire. Your response to the question "Why become a professor for us when you're a successful department chair at X?" would determine whether red flags are raised.

I do think your administrative experience--provided it is a successful as you claim--will help in the job market. Most departments with which I'm familiar consider the chair's job to be part of the departmental service required of everyone at some point in the career. You have experience, and they may look at you being the chair at some point down the road. If you don't want to hold that position again, you need to say so. I doubt it would hurt your chances to do so.

[digger]

Im not sure anyone can offer a great answer here. You have to decide exactly how disillusioned and unhappy you really are & if you want to continue an administrative track or return to faculty ranks.

If you absolutely must leave – go and damn the consequences.
Your personal mental well being is worth a lot more than any job.

Personally, I would not accept a position without rank and tenure.
IMHO, it will be easier to get a new position having those things as well.
If you are also anticipating a jump in rank along with tenure, the wait may be worth it.

We seem to prefer having chairs stay in their positions long term. As a member of your potential hiring committee I would be wondering why you are bailing out of your current job pre-tenure (Was there a coup d'état? Simply a sloppy manager? non-collegial?).

Your administrative experience, for me, would  be a real plus, however, former chairs have the ability and often do stand a department on its ear (see above). Again, most of these things could be gently touched on in your letter of introduction.

I don’t know your situation but – being a chair – not having all of the facts had never stopped me from commenting... Perhaps it is the question of why we change jobs in the first place. Seems we are (in some combination) either running to or running from something. Sounds like you have established reasons to go, now take some time to decide why you should arrive & what you will do when you get there. 

Or I could be wrong.

Best of luck to you.

[sinatra]

Postmodern, if you do move on to a faculty position without administrative duties, you could always point to the positive changes you made to the department and argue that, now that the department is on better footing, you would like to focus more on returning to the faculty ranks to pursue your teaching or research in area x (and area x will be whatever is most prominent in the position advertisement). That is a perfectly legitimate reason for moving on. I personally know several presidents who have moved on after successfully completing a major accreditation visit that was seen as potentially in jeopardy. The same rule applies to other levels of administration.

Having been an administrator, you should be more attractive to other colleges and universities. You will have a better sense of what can be done, what can't, what should, and what shouldn't. That usually signals to search committees that you will be a better faculty citizen who can be counted on to do the right thing when the chips are down. (Those who leave an administrative position because they were forced out and do not want to give up the reins of power are another story.)

As far as when you should go, I agree with digger: you are the only one who knows that answer.

Good luck!