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[ivy_d]

Dear All,

Hope all goes well --

I am musing about something that has still not happened, but who knows. I am a fourth year humanities with two very strong publications. If all goes well I hope to finish writing my dissertation by July 2013, which means I will be on market next year (2012). . . This year I applied to a doctoral/postdoctoral fellowship at an ivy school. If I get this fellowship I will have funding for three years. My dilemma, (still in mind) is: if I get this fellowship, should I pursue the postdoc or be on the market? I also have a significant other who is not in academia, so I need to think about his move as well. If I get this fellowship, he will join me at this new place. But my worry is: what if they don't hire me after I am done with the postdoc? I will have to be on market -- and my significant will have to move, again, I am worried for him (and also for myself -- my academic future). . .But what do you guys think about postdoc versus job? Do you think I should take the postdoc, if it comes my way??

Many thanks --
Ivy (still growing)

[totoro]

A post-doc at an Ivy will definitely help your CV in the TT market. But they are highly unlikely to hire you themselves after the post-doc, I think (could be wrong). Yeah, moving all the time sucks. You have to think about the trade-off. If you are very lucky you might get a job in the same region. There are a lot of colleges in metro-Boston for example. But the chances are still not very good for that.

[ivy_d]

A post-doc at an Ivy will definitely help your CV in the TT market. But they are highly unlikely to hire you themselves after the post-doc, I think (could be wrong). Yeah, moving all the time sucks. You have to think about the trade-off. If you are very lucky you might get a job in the same region. There are a lot of colleges in metro-Boston for example. But the chances are still not very good for that.

Thanks Totoro! Let us hope for the best -- so, you think I should take the postdoc if I get it?

[totoro]

I don't know anything about this specific one of course but I would definitely do so unless it really was going to affect your relationship very negatively to move more than once. I used to be at a program ranked 100th in the US in my social science field. A couple of our PhDs got post-docs at MIT and a top state school and I think it really helped them land good TT positions (though not in the US). I did a post-doc in the UK (US PhD) which I think was also good though not on the Ivy level - people there were well-connected in my field.

[ivy_d]

Thank you! This is very helpful. Now I am wishing with all my heart that I get this postdoc!

[systeme_d_]

A good postdoc can be very good for a career.  However, you must absolutely not take a postdoc thinking that it will get you a TT job at the same school!  That practically never happens!  (There are certain fellowships, usually for underrepresented groups, that are like postdocs that lead to TT employment, but this does not sound like one of them.  These fellowships are usually at schools that have trouble attracting and retaining faculty from underrepresented groups.  The Ivies are not among these schools.)

A three-year postdoc is a good base from which to apply for TT jobs, so yes, if you are offered the postdoc, you should consider it quite seriously.  It will provide you with two secure years during which you can apply for TT jobs, and include a letter of recommendation from your supervisor at the postdoc school.

I think your concerns about moving for the postdoc and then moving again afterwards for a job are a bit silly.  In academia, we often move in order to advance our careers.  That is something you should talk about with your significant other.

[kron3007]

Are you asking if you should accept a prestigious postdoc position (if you get it) or decline it in hopes that you get a job that may or may not be there?

I think that you are getting way ahead of yourself at the moment.  Start applying for both when you are at that point and hope you get something.  If you have a postdoc offer as well as a job offer, then you would need to make this decision, for now it is just day dreams. 

Also, if you were to get the postdoc you should start applying for permanent positions while you are there.  Dont stop applying just because you have three years of funding (if you get it). 

[ivy_d]

Yes, 3007, I am daydreaming. And I realize that. But the funny part is I like to dream -- it keeps me going. What is life without dreams? Or, scholarship without any vision? After reading your post yesterday night, I literally had a dream of getting an email from the fellowship committee. It was sweet. I was happy. . .I should get back to work, otherwise it will remain a dream.

Ivy

[polly_mer]

Ivy,

While your plan and dreams are fine, do realize that hundreds of people in your position have that same plan and dream.  The competition for those fellowships is fierce.  The competition for the jobs are fierce.  What is your Plan C for when you, like basically everyone, will end up with neither the fellowship nor the academic positions?  You've got two years to make Plans C-Q.  After these applications are out, then start working on those plans as you finish your dissertation.

[ivy_d]

Good suggestion, polly_mer. I have plan C ready. I like to aim for the moon. (I am a hopeless optimist at heart) But I am always prepare for the worst. Noaha's arc is ready.