Received: from smtp2.erols.com (smtp2.erols.com [205.252.116.102]) by csf.Colorado.EDU (8.8.4/8.8.4/CNS-4.1p-nh) with ESMTP id OAA18807 for ; Fri, 10 Oct 1997 14:11:07 -0600 (MDT) Received: from aiaware (spg-as80s44.erols.com [207.172.45.44]) by smtp2.erols.com (8.8.6/8.8.5) with SMTP id QAA25081 for ; Fri, 10 Oct 1997 16:11:04 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <343EB41A.1590@erols.com> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 1997 16:02:51 -0700 From: "angela j. ware" MIME-Version: 1.0 To: socgrad@csf.colorado.edu Subject: faculty expectations of grad students References: <8374DEA01EE@soc.umn.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit a slight change in subject but it's something i am experiencing in my dept. right now and (part of) amy's comment made me want to share it. Amy C. Miller wrote: > > We are all expected to get our PhD's and > move on to an academic position at one of the top ten Universities. > Anything less is considered a failure. i agree. i am about to defend my dissertation in february and receive the phd in may, so i am applying for academic positions right now. what i have found is that (with the exception of my diss. chair who has known my career goals for quite some time) some of the faculty seem very disappointed in my choices of schools. briefly, i am primarily interested in small four-year colleges/universities. i prefer liberal arts teaching universities with no big names. the point is whenever a faculty member asks me where i am applying and i mention one or two, the typical response is "very interesting" (with a long pause) or "hmmm ... really?" although i've never been questioned by anyone about my choices -- certainly not scolded or given any sort of harsh advice -- i find the reactions quite amusing. clearly, i am disappointing several faculty by NOT wanting to EVEN APPLY to the top ten, or even the top fifty. there are many types of sociologists and many roles to play in the movement for a better world. some roles are expected (and respected) more than others. my best, angela.