My classes for next semester got cut. Instead of teaching four classes, I will now be teaching one class. One. Class. My already extremely low wages just got reduced by 75%.
It took a full day for exactly what this means to sink in for me. The immediate financial repercussions were obvious, but then it hit me that I also wouldn't be able to go to two big conferences this summer or DHSI (despite the scholarship that would pay for tuition). I was also supposed to go to Sicily with my school for a travel trip because next year they 1) want me to still be there and 2) want me take the travel class to Scotland and teach or co-teach the travel class.
These are big disappointments, but the worst - the heartbreaking part - is that I can't afford to go to my best friend's wedding in March. It's in the Bahamas. The airfare, the resort, and the dress are not actually that expensive, but will still cost more than half of what I'll make for the semester. We've been friends for 30 years. We grew up next door to each other. She is the closest thing I have to a sister. I'm the maid of honor. And I don't have a choice but to back out of the wedding.
Oh, wow! Heartbreaking! I'm so sorry to hear. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the classes reappear in your schedule as quickly as they disappeared.
ReplyDeleteOuch. I'm so sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeleteThat's terrible! And what a disappointment about the wedding. I'm so sorry. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for a holiday miracle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. I'm scrambling to find a few more classes to teach, but there aren't that many schools near me and, obviously, it's very late. Hopefully I'll find something!
ReplyDeleteI admit my first thought was "more time to write" but the loss of travel is very, very bad. I'm sorry, and I hope you can get more classes or find some other way to get to the wedding.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, DEH, I had the same thought, right up until I remembered that my school loans will be in repayment and will be double what I'll make each month.
ReplyDeleteMy loans start in January. Contact your company and have them adjust the amount. I am in the process now and according to friends, the amount really does lower.
DeleteOh, dear. I'm sorry. I had that happen the first semester I adjuncted (but still had something of a safety net; even with that, though, it was a shock). It was less of a shock when it happened again, both when I was an adjunct and when I was on a full-time but short-term contract that wasn't renewed. I'm afraid it's par for the course, however seemingly nice and on top of things a department is.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into test-writing (Pearson, ETS, et al.)? At least as of a few years ago, it paid pretty well, and might even be less draining than teaching. Adjuncting for pay (as opposed to experience), especially at more than one school, is rarely, in my experience, a financially sound decision. Plenty of things pay better when you add up the time spent in prep, grading, commuting, *and* teaching/office hours.
If you do manage to find some funds, by all means, go to the wedding. The other options will all be there another year (and your school can d*mn well pay your way to Sicily if they think on-the-job training/observation would be to their benefit). Sadly, relationships with academic institutions often verge on (or just plain are) abusive; relationships with good friends the opposite. (On the other hand, a truly good friend will not hold your having to miss her wedding against you, especially since it sounds like she may have made the choice of a destination wedding. Still, that doesn't take away the sorrow of missing it.)
I just realized that I met you at the PCCBS last spring. You were on a panel with my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm joining the writing group in order to defend my dissertation this term. I am also teaching a 4/4 and can commiserate with what you are going through.
Stay strong and motivated!!!!
CC, don't even get me started on the abusive nature of this particular school relationship. I really like the school, particularly my students (most days), but I do feel like they might be dangling the job carrot to keep me jumping through hoops. I am looking at other job options, including non-academic jobs, but my location is not that helpful (rural, small town, etc.) for finding something remotely close to decent pay. Luckily, the friend has been very understanding; still, I am gutted.
ReplyDeleteMetheist, glad you'll be joining us! We will survive this semester! We can motivate each other. I hope you enjoyed that conference as much as I did!
I do feel like they might be dangling the job carrot to keep me jumping through hoops.
DeleteMore awareness of this possibility (by individuals and by the adjunct/contingent army in general) is a good thing, I think. Sometimes those who dangle the carrot are engaging in a bit of wishful thinking themselves (on their department's and/or own grad students' behalf), so it doesn't even have to be malicious. But it's harmful nonetheless.
Good luck on the job hunt. Location entails some really tricky trade-offs, since more job opportunities more densely situation usually also means higher cost of living. Assuming good internet connections, the ideal may be remote work (not necessarily teaching) from a low-cost-of-living location, but that's not so easy to find, either.
Test writing, that is interesting since if in field, one could also use the tests?
ReplyDeleteA lot of people I know have also graded the LSAT, the SAT, the AP exam, and so on. It sounds rough for various reasons, serious work plus you are given a roommate. But.
Thanks to both you and CC for the suggestions! I've been looking for some online work and tutoring positions, too. Time to move into the test world, I think!
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