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I really enjoyed talking to grad students this week with @ajacfrost for @ASA_Religion's mentoring panel on "preparing for the market early in grad school." @ndrewwhitehead asked for some thoughts, so a thread:
#soctwitter
#soctwitter
IMO market advice panels are tough for all kinds of structural reasons, plus survivor bias. Just giving typical advice, especially in these times, doesn’t feel right. As I put in my first slide:
So, I’m glad the theme was preparing *early.* To me, that means early enough to actually benefit from advice. It's also an opportunity to reflect on more subtle things I found out along the way, not just “tailor your applications” ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
. @ajacfrost brought @warre046's excellent article @SociologicalSci on publishing to get & keep a top job. I love this article & think it is required reading for prosem. It makes the stakes tangible in a way “think about publishing” doesn’t. https://sociologicalscience.com/articles-v6-7-172/
I focused on the biggest lesson I learned from my (very lucky!) market run, namely that you need systems. Physical health, mental health, social health, & work routine. Early grad school is the time to set up those routines so they autopilot when you go apply.
Not everyone has easy access to set these up. Telling grad students about this early & modeling it is a moral imperative. Example: I had amazing social support in place. I also really should have tried out therapy before going on the market.
Re: publishing, I rooted for methods early. So much coursework is about content & subfield. Don't miss the methods. When you come up with an RA opportunity or diss topic, will you have the tools you need to address it from every possible angle?
My biggest mistake—I did it, so I see it a lot—was falling into all kinds of defense mechanisms that say "Thankfully, I don't have to learn x."
-"Oh, I just want _____ kind of job"
-"Oh, I just do ____ methods"
-"Well, they should think my topic is interesting!"
-"Oh, I just want _____ kind of job"
-"Oh, I just do ____ methods"
-"Well, they should think my topic is interesting!"
Finally, this. Outside COVID, We speak to crowds all. the. time. Good presentation skills make you more compelling. They also drive you to be more clear & rigorous in your work.
Grad students asked so many great questions. The discussion was fabulous. I'm really thankful @lisa_pearce & @esanchezsalazar organized these panels and had us come to share!
