It's been a very interesting and trying year so far. I've taught two courses back to back as a sessional instructor (and am teaching another one in the fall), finished a draft of a dissertation chapter, did some administrative work through my RA position and made some tough decisions about going on the job market. I decided not to, after a long and painful deliberation. From all the great advice I've gotten over the years, it seems that entry-level tenure-track and post-doc applications consume all time and energy, so much so that my advisor has told me to write off the semester when I put together job applications. "Don't even think about planning do any writing on your dissertation during that time because it won't happen" were her exact words. The mental, emotional and temporal demands of putting together job apps are so particular and strenuous that it makes doing any other work virtually impossible. My dissertation as it stands is not ready to win the confidence of my committee for them to write stellar recommendation letters for me. I decided that it's pointless to waste time and energy putting in a mediocre application and have to do it all over again in less than a year. Instead, I decided to devote the time to put forth a solid dissertation and win the confidence of my committee.
This was a very tough decision. To say that I'm eager to graduate and start working is an understatement. The year of teaching and the summer of teaching+writing+doing administrative work has helped to raise my confidence about my ability to deal with the demands and pressures of the job. I feel ready to get out there and start my professional life! But alas, I will have to put it on hold. That is the hardest part. Ultimately, though, I feel very good about my decision. I will be happier and healthier for it.
