Cognosco

This year, if all goes well, I will graduate with a Ph.D. in Psychology. No one in my family–parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or cousins–has ever gone to college for more than a few classes. I am excited and humbled to be the first.

I am grateful that I have been able to go to college, and that I have had mentors who have been supportive and understanding throughout a divorce, pet deaths, family deaths, horrific auto accidents (not me, but family members), a pregnancy, and the first two years of parenthood.

I am grateful that my mother always told me I could do anything I set my mind to.

I am grateful that my husband has been supportive and has shared equally in parenting duties.

I am grateful that I have the privilege of loving my work and that my work is meaningful to me. 

This has been a horrible year for those of us looking for academic positions. Almost half of the 40+ jobs I applied for canceled their searches due to budget cuts. It is especially frustrating to know that you have spent more than 20 years in school and that you may not be able to find a job. I have many peers who have yet to find jobs. 

In December, I applied for a "back-up" job at University of North Dakota. It was a "back-up" job because it’s a non-tenure position. Tenure is sort of the Holy Grail of academia, because it means that you basically have job security for life. You are eligible for "tenure review" after about 6 years, but the exact number of years varies by institution and sometimes department. I found out later that this particular position has a great renewal policy, you are still eligible for raises and promotions, and the expectations and respect are equal to those of the tenure-track faculty positions. Prior to knowing all of this, I still applied, because I figured that at the very least, I might get to visit North Dakota, a state that I have been obsessed with for years for no apparent reason. I was offered a phone interview, and I thought I blew it. But then I was invited for a campus interview. Surprisingly, I really loved the department, loved the town, and had compatible interests with many of the faculty members.  Additionally, many of the faculty members have kids under the age of 4. By the time I boarded the plane home, I REALLY wanted that job. 

I got the job.

So, today I am grateful that I found a job. Not only a job, but a good job in a place where I think we’ll be happy for at least a few years. I am simultaneously excited and terrified about moving, but count myself as lucky to have the opportunity. And, I’ll be able to justify a whole new wardrobe .