Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Everybody's doing it...

...so why not me? Since I started blogging 2 months ago, I've found it to be really fun and helpful to me personally in terms of organizing my thoughts about the topics I post on. When I began, I had all these grand thoughts about giving back to the community and about describing a different path to the TT. Now I am just enjoying having a place I can write about the things I am thinking about.

So anonymous readers--who are you? What do you like the best about the blog? What would you like to see more of? And thanks for reading!

8 comments:

GMP said...

Hi prodigal, I am a not-long-ago tenured STEM prof.I don't remember how I found you, but I keep reading for well-written posts on a variety of academic topics. You come across as very smart and thoughtful, and the posts are always well-balanced and to the point. One of my favorite blogs.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm trying to figure out whether, in my late fifties, I would enjoy a move from industry to academia. I worked at a couple of state schools many years ago, I occasionally publish. I think I'd have a chance to find a similar position now. The main questions on my mind are (academic) lifestyle and culture A.D. 2010. Your blog is a data point, and more -- a pleasure to read.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I am one of your lurkers who has never posted. :) I am not in a STEM discipline, but am just beginning a TT job at a large university and love reading blogs from others in academia. Simliar to what GMP wrote, I LOVE your blog and it is one of my favorites - lots of informative, balanced, helpful posts. Thanks for being such a great resource!!

prodigal academic said...

Thanks for the nice comments. It is fun to hear from a few of the lurkers (and to know that people are actually reading)!

Female Computer Scientist said...

Gar, web browser ate my comment.

Just wanted to say I love reading your blog, and especially appreciate the TT job search tips!

Hope said...

Tried to comment before, but it never showed up ….

I read here because I’m interested in your take as a National Lab transplant. I’ve found lots of blogs written by/for early career faculty, but very few by people with significant prior work experience in another environment. This is where I think you could really contribute. People interested in making a similar switch would obviously be interested in your story, and my fellow grad students definitely want to know what steps to take to maximize their opportunities outside of Academia.

FYI, I work at a national lab myself, and after reading your earlier posts on the culture and expectations at your former lab, I’m surprised how different things are here. I wonder if this has to do primarily with the agency that our labs are affiliated with. Can you reveal that without compromising your anonymity?

prodigal academic said...

Just saw your comment, Hope. I would prefer not to get too specific about the funding source, but National Lab was staffed by Feds, not run by a contractor. A bunch of other soft money, Fed run national labs I am familiar with have somewhat similar expectations. That said, even the different divisions at National Lab had different evaluation procedures and base requirements for staff. Also, the hard money and/or contract run national labs that I am familiar with have a really different feel than National Lab did.

Anonymous said...

Hi PA
Hmmm...the net ate my previous comment! I am a postdoc lurker who has enjoyed your blog and the others that you read as well. Both in grad school and during the last three years I have seen the transition to academia thing play out in different ways. It is definitely useful to get some insight from someone who has had success!