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[ambassadress]

You are reading the effort coming from the energy that was supposed to be put into the next interview which is nowhere to be seen.

That.

Genius.

[liberta]

Yeah, sure, perceptions of groups are relative, alto.  Many astute individuals perceive academia as relatively rather generic in terms of its demographics.  It's not difficult to perceive an acute lack of diversity when you've taught in departments that are comprised solely of white men (except for me or the former visitor or the subsequent visitor).

But in terms of "a world," stratus, I do see, and live in, and contribute to, a world with lots of variety.  The world we live in is replete with variety and diversity.  I just don't see enough of that variety and diversity in the professional academic world.  Apparently, university admins don't either, and that is one of the reasons for the increase in "diversity initiatives."  Or are those initiatives generated for some other purpose?

[ambassadress]

Why even bring up the issue of children in this forum? Having children is a personal choice, and finding care for children is not a legitimate excuse for search comm members to vacate their professional obligations.

During a campus visit, when I encounter profs who make excuses why they can't make it to X or Y of my events because of family responsibilities, I translate it this way: the department cares about each prof as a whole person and cares about having a good work/life balance. That's a good sign.

[ptarmigan]

One of the ways that this management process works for me is that there are certain personal qualities I want to be certain are clear when I interview. I am highly collaborative and interested in others' views, and I also have a strong viewpoint of my own, tend to ask a lot of questions, and generally desire discussion and interchange. These are qualities that not everyone finds endearing, so some people might advise me to try to keep this aspect of myself under wraps a bit, to avoid rubbing any SC members the wrong way. I, however, have made the decision that I do not wish to work with people who wouldn't like this; I actively want to be certain that who I am--and the way I function--will be welcome in a place. Therefore, while I don't strain to insert this part of myself into campus visits, I do try to function as naturally as possible and allow myself to interact in this way.

This is excellent advice.  I can't remember if this is the thread where someone expressed the hope that I'm not this tedious in person, but the question indicates that that person would not be a good match for the departments in which I have worked and would like to continue to work.  One of the odd things about interacting via asynchronous written communication is the lack of immediate feedback and cues.  Consequently, my writing often makes me look as though I am always set at 11 on the assertive dial even though I do have the full range of assertiveness/combativeness/persistence with a tendency toward values about 7 on a ten-point scale.

I do dial back on the "I am right and you will submit" for many situations.  I am pretty good at reading social cues when face-to-face, but as MsP just wrote for Bcohlan1, that's a result of conscious practice over the past 10 years; it's not something that came naturally.  I still won't be a good fit at places where no one is allowed to be a strong personality and state unsugarcoated opinions, but I fit pretty well with people who spend a lot of time with assertiveness/combativeness/persistence above 7 and that's a plus in my fields because that's the norm.

I don't know what you're like in a professional context, but you come across as much less stern and serious in real life. You have a more charming/humble/oddball quality in person.

[canuckois]

Not on the job market, canuckois, and don't need the good luck you're sending.  My observations about academia come from the process of getting a job.  

Wow.  Your lucky (generic/blonde) colleagues.

[oldfullprof]

Not on the job market, canuckois, and don't need the good luck you're sending.  My observations about academia come from the process of getting a job.   Fortunately, some academics appreciate critical thinkers and they understand a sarcastic sense of humor.   (Although, a dept chair once told my former SO to suppress one's sense of humor in academe. )  In any case, the generic academic personality is relatively bland and thus is not difficult to confect and display in the name of social competency and a job.

I think you're outasight, Liberta.  I interviewed at a state college in New Hampshire once, and knew I wouldn't be hired because my enthusiasms were about 180 degrees from those of the 35 year olds in the department.  For example, I think fetishizing advising is a crock, and they were acting like it was precious.  So, you go, girl.

[heptameron]

What, oldprof, is "fetishizing advising"? 

And is "fetishizing" in that phrase acting as a verb or a gerund ?

[grasshopper]

Not on the job market, canuckois, and don't need the good luck you're sending.  My observations about academia come from the process of getting a job.   Fortunately, some academics appreciate critical thinkers and they understand a sarcastic sense of humor.   (Although, a dept chair once told my former SO to suppress one's sense of humor in academe. )  In any case, the generic academic personality is relatively bland and thus is not difficult to confect and display in the name of social competency and a job.

I think you're outasight, Liberta.  I interviewed at a state college in New Hampshire once, and knew I wouldn't be hired because my enthusiasms were about 180 degrees from those of the 35 year olds in the department.  For example, I think fetishizing advising is a crock, and they were acting like it was precious.  So, you go, girl.

I don't think that's quite what she's talking about.

Hey, Liberta, have you seen that SNL skit with Zooey Deschanel, "Bein' Quirky"?