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Post by what now on Apr 25, 2010 19:12:25 GMT -5
I think I have hit the end of the road - two short-lists (one interview) for big postdocs but no offers. My plan had been to defend in late June for an August conferral but real life has gotten in the way and that is now somewhat impossible. I am close though. So close.
The question then becomes - which is better:
1. Ph.D. in hand when writing letters next hiring cycle (but no job in-between - maybe get some publications out there and adjunct a bit but I am not hurting for teaching experience)
2. Defend for a December conferral but stay "enrolled" at University and keep health insurance for my family, etc. Defend during the fall semester and keep writing, trying to publish, etc.
And it is the right time to try for a second child. But it would make me pregnant on the job market. Due to health issues and age this is the moment. Waiting two more years (to get job and get settled) just isn't an option.
Anyone have EXPERIENCE with this? Particularly looking for advice on the Ph.D. in hand versus defended...
Thanks,
What now
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Post by anonyms on Apr 25, 2010 19:42:14 GMT -5
If you have a family that needs health insurance obviously 2 is the better option. That's basically the option I did this year when I didn't get a job last year (but thankfully, being much further along in my dissertation and with an additional pub, i was successful this time around). We also were TTC too as it happens, but we weren't successful within the window we were trying during.
My advice is to finish as much as your dissertation as possible in advance of the market, get at least one chapter really polished up in order to send out (for writing samples and can send it out for publication), make sure your chair has a good idea of what work you've done and seen whatever drafts you have, and write up a 3-4 page memo with some important findings to distribute to the rest of your committee who will write your letters. In your cover letters you should outright say that you have finished drafts of x number of chapters and plan to defend in month y, and you can also ask your chair to write in their letter of recommendation that you are far along and are holding off on defending for funding reasons.
As for the pregnancy, if possibly you might want to try to time it so that you are not going to be past your 8th month (when they stop letting you fly) during prime interview season. When we were TTC for our brief window we were aiming for a march - july due date.
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Post by anonymous on Apr 26, 2010 8:46:30 GMT -5
I was in a similar position last year (on both ends). I decided to defend my dissertation early in the fall, but my university allows us the option of waiting up to a year to file our paperwork. So I was able to say in my applications that I've completed my degree requirements (backed up by my letters of rec), but held on to my funding and health insurance for the full year.
As for the baby issue, there's no such thing as good timing. I tried this year to time my pregnancy with the job market (as anonyms suggests), and (1) I ruined several interviews by spending half my time in the bathroom vomiting, and (2) I'm looking at starting a new job in the fall with a 4-week old baby. But as you point out, there are other problems with waiting (for me, the concern was that there's no guarantee I was going to get a job in a year anyway, and didn't want to put my life on hold indefinitely). So my advice is to do what's best for you, your health, and your family -- issues will come up no matter what, so figure out what's most important to you. (Also, if you haven't already, check out the thread "pregnant on the market" under Questions and Advice.) Good luck!
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Post by mom of 3 with PhD on Apr 26, 2010 11:39:31 GMT -5
I think a lot of what's been said here is sound, but I think you should see which option feels best. Thank to yourself, I'm going to do option A," and not how you feel, then do the same for other options. If one makes you sigh with relief (even if you feel a little sad), you've got your choice. Otherwise, pick the one that makes your stomach clench less.
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Post by mom of 3 with PhD on Apr 26, 2010 11:41:53 GMT -5
Repeat of previous with corrections:
I think a lot of what's been said here is sound, but I think you should see which option feels best. Think to yourself, "I'm going to do option A," and note how you feel, then do the same for other options. If one makes you sigh with relief (even if you feel a little sad), you've got your choice. Otherwise, pick the one that makes your stomach clench less.
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