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[evolution]

I completely agree about the writing, ellaminnow! I've been trying to sneak it in here and there, and really trying to make one day a week a "research day," but there are so many things to juggle. And like you say, we will somehow keep adding balls (bowling pins? flaming batons?) to the juggling display. :-)

Glad to hear you are also enjoying your new job though! It is such a wonderful feeling.

[joeroberts]

Ugh. So my university had set up a small research fund for non-tenured, tenure-track faculty to get small grants to start up research projects. I had applied for some funding on my current research project, which, I thought was quite well developed and looking promising.  Not so to the deciding committee. They rejected the proposal. Now I just feel yucky and hang my head in shame.
I'm not really looking for advice or "pick me ups". My partner is really supportive and I'll keep going, but...ugh, ya know? Ugh. Happy holidays everyone.

[ex_mo]

Totally late to the party but hi!

Social sciences, SLAC, Midwest, 4/4.  Tenure in 3-4. 

[this_is_my_username]

 I am thrilled to be able to post here. Social Sciences as well, Midwest too, at a CC. Tenure in three. Really great colleagues, cool students, fun job.
 
 I feel an ethical responsibility to publish even though I don't need to, and even though I am quite happy where I am. I wouldn't think of moving except for a handful of 'dream' positions.
  
 One article submitted, two more to go, an edited volume accepted by a publisher pending some rewrites. A couple conferences this semester to present at. I need to start a new research project this summer because, without some sort of research element, I'll go positively mad.

 I feel like I am really overdoing it, but I'm getting good student and peer evals in the classroom thusfar, so why not?

 I recently had my first real 'moment' after bouncing around grad school and weird jobs. A promising student wanted to pursue a career in my field and, long story short, I was able to help him get into a very nice four year university with a hefty scholarship. He rushed to my office to share the voicemail off his cell phone, I've never seen anyone so thrilled.

 It was, you know, one of my first concrete indications that this goofy professor can make a difference in a student's life. It felt wonderful.

[evolution]

Glad to see this thread back!

joeroberts, sorry to miss your post for so long. I am sorry to hear about the grant rejection. It is always tough not to take these things personally, but money is so tight everywhere - they likely had more good proposals than they could fund. I hope you are feeling better about things!

this_is_my_username, I love the story about your student! Thanks for sharing. I bet that really made your day.

[pimpom]

So, how is everybody?

[firstgeneration]

Great!  Enjoying the last stretch of this academic year at my urban R-1.  I'm learning the ropes.  How is everyone else?

[ellaminnow]

Hanging in there.  I need to learn the art of saying "no."  In my rookie enthusiasm I seem to have found myself involved in too many projects and committees.  Fortunately most of the work will be done this summer, so it's manageable.

On a lighter note - first article on the tt accepted!

[pimpom]

Congrats! Awesome!
No end of the school year in view for me, alas! But planning summer nonetheless.

What do you guys think is smarter 1) stay put and finish (ha!) the book or 2) get some research done that cannot happen during the school year?

[goat_herd]

Wow, is it end of March already? Thanks for the wake-up call pimpom.
Buried in lecture prep. Had no idea how much effort it would be...but loving every minute of being at the front of the class! Looking forward to summer and a respite from teaching so I can refocus on research and grant writing. I still feel very fortunate to be on this side of the job-hunting fence!

[joeroberts]

I'm doing pretty well. My teaching evaluations from the first term were just below the department and faculty means, although there were some bright spots. apparently it's clear that I care about students and I'm passionate about the material. So that's good.
I've reapplied for a small internal grant.  And I've got loads of research projects on the go. My big p roblem is turning them into actual articles.

Definitely looking forward to the end of term.  Just weeks away!

[spamicide]

The year is just flying by too fast!  This semester I have a graduate course and it's a lot of fun, although some days I worry b/c once a while I get a bored look or the first day back from spring break getting the discussion going was like pulling teeth.  Senior faculty tell me not to be concerned.  My teaching evals from last semester were above the department mean so that was good a start. 

For some reason that I cannot figure out, the spring semester feels harder than the fall semester.  I'm not sure if it's grad admissions, the snow, or what.  I also got my first pub accepted with the new institution's name on it and am getting two research projects up an running.  Only major set back was my R21 application went "not discussed" at NIH.  That was a bummer. 

[joeroberts]

Two bits of news in one day. 
First, I got a paper accepted to a big political science conference in Iceland at the end of August.  Woo-hoo.  SO and I are making hiking plans as we speak.  Second, I got a small internal grant from the university today.  I was rejected for the same version of that grant earlier this year when the competition was only restricted to junior faculty here on my branch campus.  What the difference is, I do not know...

[ex_mo]

Hanging in there.  I need to learn the art of saying "no."  In my rookie enthusiasm I seem to have found myself involved in too many projects and committees.  Fortunately most of the work will be done this summer, so it's manageable.

This.

I just added it all up and came up with everything I've done this year. 

One book chapter published
Two articles under review (should hear about one very soon! fingers crossed!)
One new research project in grant-writing stage
Five new courses prepped
Increased majors by 200% (this is only possible because there, count them, four when I got here)
Three committees
Overhauled departmental curriculum


*naps*

[ellaminnow]

Where is everyone?  The 2011 cohort is making us look bad!