vince pitelka on tue 6 jun 00
> I don't want to stretch this to the point of being absurd, but while I
> wish Vince's statement were true, this has not been my experience when
> participating as part of interview teams or committees. It IS accurate,
> I think, that WHEN the person who is as described above actually gets
> the job he wants, he performs it with greater ebullience, which in turn
> can be infectious and may generate good feelings and better performance
> in other perhaps not as enterprising fellow employees.
Joyce -
While I respect your opinions, and your expertise on education, the above is
simply not true in higher education jobs. People who go to graduate school
because they are truly committed to what they do, because they love it,
because they cannot NOT do it, are naturally much better suited to make a
living in the field than people who are just following a career track.
Their enthusiasm and commitment are tangible, and one cannot fake such a
thing.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Joyce Lee on tue 6 jun 00
> You make a very good point. If a person pursues undergraduate and graduate
> school because they love what they are doing, because they crave more
> education and experience, and because they want to enrich their life
> (absoutely the best investment one can possibly make) their chances of
> getting a good job are a hell of a lot better than for someone who is just
> following a career track.
I don't want to stretch this to the point of being absurd, but while I
wish Vince's statement were true, this has not been my experience when
participating as part of interview teams or committees. It IS accurate,
I think, that WHEN the person who is as described above actually gets
the job he wants, he performs it with greater ebullience, which in turn
can be infectious and may generate good feelings and better performance
in other perhaps not as enterprising fellow employees. One such new
addition can in time spark a whole department and expand its reach
beyond anyone's expectations. Wonderful when that happens! AND who would
not agree that one's life is fuller and richer as a result of an
inspiring education from dedicated teachers within any program? BUT
generally, unless employment laws force our awarenesses, we tend to hire
those most like ourselves; thus too often the status quo prevails in
whole departments even to the point of similar ages, ethnic background
and the same gender... and definitely including
attitudes toward students, budgets, lifestyles, trends in the field etc.
Therein lies stagnation and eventually disgruntlement. Personnel
selected for committees which recommend candidates to the powers that be
are normally composed of those who have long ago carved out their place
on the "career track." They THINK "career track," and they often select
the guy who is more interested in what the next step is than in doing
the job at hand. Also, it is not insignificant that a person who thinks
as "we" do is also less apt to be a "problem" later since he's always
seeking advancement and from day one curries favor with management. My
favorite superintendent (for many reasons) was one who said that given
the choice between hiring an enthusiastic, caring, dynamic teacher who
will constantly be beating the drums for change, will forever be
charging into our offices with fire in her eyes, and who will probably
wind up in a leadership position in the union on the opposite side of
the table during negotiations ... and one who is also well educated and
trained but understands the subtle nuances of getting along with
administration........ go for the REBEL!! As administrators it's OUR
jobs to pay attention to these people and make it work. So let them rock
the boat... just try to keep our hands steady on the wheel..... or at
least get a good grip and hang on so we can last out the ride! I loved
that man! But one out of many is not very good odds.
Joyce
In the Mojave
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