Conferences...

So I've attended plenty of conferences in my career as professional student, scholar, and professor, but I've never spoken or presented before. That's about to change, however, as I recently heard that I'll be presenting on the subject of rhetorical pleasure--think to teach (docere), to delight (delectare) and move (movere)--this fall. This is great news and I'm pleased as punch, but I'm also starting to get nervous. I mean, it's one of the principle elements of the profession to "profess" your beliefs about your subject, but I've been part of the audience so long that I'm concerned about my ability to present my own ideas. This is just nervousness, of course, but I still feel it acutely.

On the subject of the job hunt, I've had some interest at a few different schools, but I get the feeling some institutions might think me overqualified or disinterested. In fact, I heard directly from one school that interviewed me that one reason why they didn't hire me was because I had a PhD and they assumed I would only stay with their program until I had a better offer. As I know I'm writing for myself, I don't have to explain that this simply isn't true, but if you ever read this post B.R. you should know I would have done a lot to work at your school. Meh...I'm not going to get sour grapes, but I may start posting my rejection letters here (at least the form letters!)

Job hunting in America

So I'm still on the prowl

'cuz I work with a scowl.

It's not easy trying to find a job. It's a full-time job itself, but I have faith that at some point someone (somewhere) will think me suitable for employment. I also know that I set the bar quite high for myself. I don't want a part-time position, as I've already got three of those. I don't want just any English job either; I want to teach early modern lit. And while I have no problem teaching other courses--I rather look forward to teaching 19th century, modern, and American lit--I really feel that one of the only ways I'll be able to move forward in my field is if I can find some time to teach within it.

So, all you schools out there that may be lurking, troll-like, at the periphery...scanning blogs for out of work PhDs...here's your chance. You can have me for a song!

please? :)