This evaluation is all the content I'd submit for a tenure review, and goes through the same review process, except that the University doesn't ask for external evaluation letters at this point.
Technically I'm on a three-year contract, so at the end of this year, ASU can decide not to renew me for another three years. While that possibility looms, I feel like I've been doing my best in the three areas I've been hired to work in - Research, Teaching, Service - and there isn't more that I could have done up until this point.
I still consider myself a #newPI, still learning about grant-writing, how to be a better educator, and learning about University goings-on. But, I feel more comfortable.
How are things?
The lab is set up, and I'm really fortunate that my lab is filled with wonderful people who chose to work with me: http://www.wilsonsayreslab.org/lab/#/lab-members/. I really love teaching Evolution every Spring, and this semester I'm teaching three one-credit courses (two of which are new as of this semester, about coding topics, which I'm *super* excited about). I have some really wonderful colleagues, and this year I get to sit on a search committee to choose two more!
Quiet around here
Well, quiet on the blog. I haven't been blogging around here, but I have been doing a lot of writing:
- Blogged for CEM: How Rare is a Rare Disease?
- I've responded to a lot of questions from K-12 students for Ask a Biologist.
- Since I started in August 2014, I've written, or contributed to writing, seven publications that have been accepted, four that are in revision, and another five that are in various stages of preparation/review (as in, I could get you a draft if you wanted).
- Umpteen grant applications
And the thing is, I have so many things to tell you all! We've been doing so much good science and fun outreach. I just need to make time to write about them. Partially, in the last several months, I've traded blogging time for working-out time. I needed it. And as much as I miss writing, I need the exercise more.
So, it's all rainbows?
Well, no, of course not. There are plenty of things to nit-pick and complain about. And, get me alone over coffee, or after a poster session, and I'm sure I'll complain with you. But, taking a step back, I can say this:
I have my dream job.
Being a professor, teaching, doing research, service... this is what I've wanted to do before I even know what to call it. I get to science, and I wouldn't want anything else.
Where we're going
I'm going to make a goal of getting up one blog post a week, updating on the projects in the lab, and my thoughts about science/lab/life.
One a week.
I can do that.
5 comments:
Haha, I had a once a week blog post mantra for a while. Collided with reality enough that I just stop promising myself I would do it…
Main thing is that sounds like everything is going super well, congrats!
Thank you! I used to write more than that, but it's taken a back seat to all the other things that fill my time now.
In any case, I have some fun photos, and stories to share.
I think I've been trying to hold myself to a more "meaty" standard for blog posts since I started as an assistant professor, and that is going to fall by the wayside. I just want to start sharing again.
Glad to see you back to blogging. I am sure you'll sail through the reappointment--you certainly would at Carolina (though, to be honest, I think you'd need to commit a felony or not show up to work to not be re-appointed). It's a useful time to get feedback from your Dept. about progress toward tenure.
Mark
and I love to see you saying this because, for most of us, it really is true though we all like complaining
I have my dream job.
Thank you :)
I am looking forward to the feedback.
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