Ack! Interview!

[kaybee]

In a classic case of bad timing... I just got an offer for an interview for a tenure-track job at a really good school.

I'm 37 weeks! :

These are big interviews, too (2 days plus travel on either end). I'm not even sure I should be travelling, much less interviewing for 2 days. But it's such a great dept. Ugh. I would either have to go now (like in 2 days) or at the end of Feb. (with my 0-4 week old and dh in tow).

This is a classic case of motherhood and academic jobs colliding... Sigh

[timneh_mom]

That's really exciting though... what field are you in? My dad was a professor of electrical engineering. Would it be a long trip?

[kaybee]

Originally Posted by timneh_mom

That's really exciting though... what field are you in? My dad was a professor of electrical engineering. Would it be a long trip?

I'm in geology

It's a long enough trip because it's from one small airport to another (through 1-2 big airports). It looks like my Dr. won't write me a note to fly though (I'm already dialated 2 cm (and losing my mucous plug, although I didn't tell her that yet)), and I can't fly without a note.

But, the school just called back to reiterate that baby is the most important thing right now and that they are willing to wait and work things out (including flying my dh and baby out with me, so I can nurse while interviewing, etc.). That's reassuring.

[timneh_mom]

Oh that's good!!! Ex-DH was in the geology department at the same university where my dad taught. They were a fun bunch of people! (well, except for ex-DH - hence, he's the ex!)

I'm glad the school is willing to wait for you - sounds like they would be good people to work for, since they are trying to be accomodating already!

[PiePie]

i love that school already.

[PixelDust]

Wow! It's great that they're so willing (and able) to work with you on scheduling. Good luck with the interview when the time comes.

[lanielayne]

They sound great! Good luck!

[Kelleybug]

It is wonderful that they are willing to wait! I think that it speaks volumes... Good luck!

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by kaybee

But, the school just called back to reiterate that baby is the most important thing right now and that they are willing to wait and work things out (including flying my dh and baby out with me, so I can nurse while interviewing, etc.). That's reassuring.

kerc sent me here. Soooooo, cool. I saw that job ad and wondered who would get it.

One teensy word of warning: don't get your hopes up too much. I absolutely *love* that they are being so accomodating about bringing the baby and DH. Get your talk and notes together for the interview now, and don't expect to accomplish much in terms of preparation right before the interview. At least, don't count on being able to prepare. I know you already have a job talk written, but I also know the emphasis of the school wrt teaching/research is different, so you might want to take that into account.

The department will also need to accomodate 2-3 nursing breaks during the day, including one probably within an hour of the start of your talk.

You might also think about how you will discuss your family and the arrangements you've made with those portions of the department that might not be so family friendly. Usual caveots (sp?) here that old men aren't necessarily hostile and young women with kids aren't necessarily supportive.

Invest in breastpads.

Off to lurk on their web page and figure out who is on the faculty.

Yay! New Rock Baby on the way. Yippee!!!!

[Geofizz]

What is it with hydrologists as department chair?

Small, old department. I count 7 faculty, 2 women (1 tenured). It's also bimodal, without any assoc. faculty. Odd.

[Geofizz]

Sorry, I thought this was the working mamas forum. Sorry for the butt-in-ski

[p1gg1e]

I wondered if this was at that school..then I started thinking about you Wendy

Cool I hope it works out for you.. lot of cool mama's in this area!

Wendy! (its Elizabeth )

[aywilkes]

I'm excited for you! How wonderful. I just got a voicemail from someone at the millennium challenge corp. which is the 1st time an international development or. has ever expressed interest in me - it's my dream. of course i had my baby on sunday. i was scared to call back til i read your post.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by p1gg1e

I wondered if this was at that school..then I started thinking about you Wendy

Cool I hope it works out for you.. lot of cool mama's in this area!

Wendy! (its Elizabeth )

Nope, kaybee is interviewing elsewhere-- different state -- totally different type of U--, but there aren't that many geo depts out there, so we tend to know each other.

[p1gg1e]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

Nope, kaybee is interviewing elsewhere-- different state -- totally different type of U--, but there aren't that many geo depts out there, so we tend to know each other.

Cool.

Nice to see you around

[kaybee]

You guys are funny.

aywilkes - At least call them back! You never know.

geofizz - nice to see you over here... I'm not getting my hopes up, but I am kind of flattered I got offered an interview - my research area is really on the far fringes of what they are searching for, and I keep being surprised everytime they call me back.

No matter what happens, I can keep it low stress on my end since I do have a back-up that will work for the short term at least (and possibly the long-term). I've met about half the faculty there, including one of the women who was at a summer workshop I attended, where among other things, she led a round-table discussion on balancing family and career

A lot of it depends on when the baby arrives... they do have some time constraints, despite their efforts to be flexible.