Failing Upwards

academia

  • Here is Your Award, Now Get Out

    I believe that the academic equivalent of the pizza party for office workers is the Employee Appreciation Awards. At first glance, the concept sounds nice and recognizes the hard work we put in every day. If nothing else, it’s an… Continue reading

    Here is Your Award, Now Get Out

  • We’re Glad You’re Here, I Guess a.k.a Campus Visit #3

    I am starting to expect that campus visits will be either hot or cold, given my third trip into the final candidacy phase of the job search. My first visit was cold and calculating, with a hint of quiet desperation… Continue reading

    We’re Glad You’re Here, I Guess a.k.a Campus Visit #3

  • I Hope All of Your Firings Go Well

    This interview season was a wild one. I’ve talked to so many different search committees that I can barely remember where any of the proposed positions might be. Honestly, I have applied to so many different places that I couldn’t… Continue reading

    I Hope All of Your Firings Go Well

  • This is a Little More Like It a.k.a. Campus Visit #2

    We’re back with another tale from a new campus visit. As before, I’ll share highlights and assign a grade for this trip. If you’re worried about suspense, I’ll say now that this place will earn high marks. Now that the… Continue reading

    This is a Little More Like It a.k.a. Campus Visit #2

  • Welcome to Misery with a New Coat of Paint: a.k.a Campus Visit #1

    Now that I am back on the job market, I figured it would be a good idea to chronicle some of the hijinks at the potential new places I could end up working. I will do my best to conceal… Continue reading

    Welcome to Misery with a New Coat of Paint: a.k.a Campus Visit #1

  • My Concern for the “Utes”

    For once, I am not going to complain about the leadership at Romulus College. You could call it a red-letter day for all I care, because I so rarely do not focus on incompetent leadership. This article addresses another concern… Continue reading

    My Concern for the “Utes”

  • Am I in The Middle of Downfall?

    Regardless of your opinion of the movie Downfall, it sheds light on the last days of the administration that ran the Third Reich. You are watching people who know that the inevitable is upon them as the Soviet Army is… Continue reading

    Am I in The Middle of Downfall?

  • I Am Not Here To Be Liked

    One of the more interesting aspects of my job is student evaluations. It is the academic equivalent of the comment card restaurants used to keep on their tables. For those of you who are younger than 35, a comment card… Continue reading

    I Am Not Here To Be Liked

  • If You Hate It, Why Do You Do It?

    As much as I may bemoan my station here at Romulus University, I still love doing what I do. Even in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be able to do what I love and make… Continue reading

    If You Hate It, Why Do You Do It?

  • Here is a Plaque, Now Smile Like You Mean It

    With all of the department’s calamities during my second year, there was one bright spot for me. As the school year ended, I received a notice from an academic journal that they wanted to publish my research article. The piece… Continue reading

    Here is a Plaque, Now Smile Like You Mean It