My First Post Ph.D. Interview

I've applied for over 40 positions in the field of higher education since January.  I've received at least 15 rejection letters or "We're sorry we're just not that into you" as I like to call them, which can be a big downer.  On Sunday I was having a text conversation with one of my cohort members about the struggle of finding employment after graduation.  She has applied for over 80 jobs.  We were discussing her first on campus interview following a successful phone interview with a college on the East coast.  I was very happy for her, while wishing I had some good news of my own to share. When she asked about myself I informed her that I was tired of applying and was going to focus my energies on the things that were going right in my life such as my private practice and finishing these two books that have been sitting on a jump drive since forever.  I'll never forget her text, "What?  That's not like you.  You never give up!"  Well as faith would have it that night I prayed that God would place me were I needed to be, in a place that would allow me to touch others and make a difference.  The next morning I received a phone call from Southern University in New Orleans to interview for a professor position.  All I could do was smile and look towards heaven.  Later that same day I received an email from Tennessee State University asking if I was still interested in a professor position that I had applied for.  I told them yes using my most professional voice, but inside I was screaming "hell yeah!"

On Thursday morning I had my first post Ph.D. interview!  Although they couldn't see me because it was a conference call, I still took the liberty of dressing professional.  I had to get myself in the mood, lol.  I had to take the call while driving home to take my 17 year old to work.  Despite the traffic and the humming of cars and sweating like I had run a country mile, I think I did okay.  The questions weren't as difficult as I thought they might be. The committee asked me about my perception of the ideal professor, classroom management, teaching techniques, teaching theories that I use, ethical issues I've encountered in practice, and community service.  I think the question that I "wowed" them with was my response to the teaching theory that I identify with.  Of course I told them about decolonization, which was the focus of my dissertation which was inspired by my teaching experience while employed at Southern University at Baton Rouge.  I know I wowed myself because I didn't realize just how engrained the information was in my brain. (9 months of working on a dissertation will do that to you).  When we ended the call they informed me that the finalist would be asked to come to the university for their second interview.  Then they asked if I would be available in the next few weeks and of course I said yes.

Okay so maybe I gave up too soon!  I'm excited about the next interview and all of the universities that are about to call me (yes, I have hope now, lol).  But I'm still going to focus on increasing my private practice and completing those books, but I'm also going out and find the perfect in-person interview outfit, one made for a PhDiva :)  

Hold On

I've submitted at least 45 applications for various positions in higher education for teaching and administration openings and I've only had 2 phone conversations (they didn't call them interviews...we were just talking, getting to know each other).  I've even gone so far as to call a friend who is the president of a university, who informed me that just because I had now earned a Ph.D. doors wouldn't open for me.  I asked him would he consider interviewing me for a Director position on his campus after reviewing my CV.  His response, he wouldn't interview me because I didn't have any experience in recruitment.  This is also the same friend that promised to help me after I obtained my Ph.D. His words to me were, "All you have to do is tell me which positions you're applying for and at which institutions and I will make a phone call."  I had to blink back the tears of hurt...because just like everyone else he had not truly taken out the time to read my CV and he had went back on his word. 

For every position that I've applied for I wasn't asking for a handout.  I either met the qualifications that were in the job description or I was over qualified.  I have over 5 years of experience in the field of higher education as a social work instructor and administrator and I have over 20 years of experience in the field of social work, but I've received over 15 letters that I like to call "Dear John...we don't think you're good enough..." letters.  I've made phone calls, I've sent out emails, and I've prayed and I've prayed.  It doesn't seem fair that I've gone to school and busted my butt to only be told no over and over again.  It hurts like hell to be honest.  And when Sallie Mae sends you that statement saying that your student loan payments will start in 6 months your heart just breaks in a thousand pieces.

But two 2 weeks ago I received a phone call from an associate that I met back in my best-selling author, radio host days that changed my outlook on this entire job search.  She was calling because she had been offered a position as a co-host for a morning radio show, but couldn't take it so she had referred me for the position.  I was floored.  This wasn't in higher ed, and it was actually me going back to my former life, life before the Ph.D. (something I secretly desire to do).  I considered this new path that I would be taking, I thought about all of the rejection I had received from the field of higher education and so I agreed to the interview process.

Last week I woke up at 4:30am for three days straight and drove to New Orleans to be a part of the WBOK 1230AM morning show.  And I must admit, it was fun, exciting and I had an awesome time doing something that I love so much.  I won't know if I've gotten the position until July 1, but if I don't get it, it's still all good, because that experience reminded me of who I am and what I love doing the most and that's educating people and touching people like only I can!  Sometimes we don't reach people through textbooks or standing in front of a classroom lecturing.  Sometimes it's through novels and self-help books, television or a radio show...

My friend was right, no one is going to give me a job simply because I went out an earned a Ph.D.  I'm going to get the job that's right for me because someone out there will see that I am qualified, that I will make a difference and that I am passionate about helping people.  So I'm going to keep holding on until the right position, the position that God has just for me comes through.  And to my friend who refused to help me...no worries, I'm still going to see you at the top hunni, believe that! :-)