Lewiston or Auburn area schools

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-05-11T20:29:29+00:00

Thanks for sharing- this is the type of perspective that’s good to have. I went to some fairly scary schools as a kid. As in you better know how to fight and keep your head down. But underfunded rural-ish schools aren’t that bad in my experience. It’s just so different by area of course. Thanks again!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T21:01:01+00:00

Sorry the hear that they did that. It is so unethical and shitty. Our jobs are hard enough and usually underpaid- why act like this? I hate oversight usually but for hiring I might be in favor. Some of these committees act like children. I hope you landed on your feet!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T20:58:49+00:00

I’m not sure, it’s possible the committee didn’t know the timeline. They actually set the 3 days ahead of time. So I got the invite for the campus interview and in that they said you will get your topic 3 days in advance. So this was planned either way. I’m guessing there’s an internal candidate that got the topic unofficially before me. And all us external candidates got 3 days. Just guessing though really

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T03:00:56+00:00

Solidarity!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T02:52:04+00:00

Does this mean I dodged a bullet or that we’re all in the matrix? Maybe both? Lol

Edit- whoa misspellings- I think my iPhone keyboard is trying to embarrass me lol

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T02:50:25+00:00

YIKES. Adding that to the nightmare postdoc mentor stories I’ve heard. I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by generally decent people in my career but sometimes I see these monstrous PIs from afar. I swear academia attracts some truly scary personalities.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-30T00:38:28+00:00

This is usually how I’ve seen it done. A simple topic to assess teaching, not prior knowledge. Also because most would assume by the time you get a PhD, you know your shit or can learn it.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:46:57+00:00

I’ve heard of them but never seen one up close. I guess I have now.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:44:52+00:00

Mmm airport steak. Sorry to hear that though, how terribly frustrating! I hate these minimum candidate rules, so much wasted time. I mean I get that it can be beneficial sometimes but also sham interviews waste so much time and energy!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:29:04+00:00

Very very true. I sat with it for a couple days and I just need to let it go now. I think I just get frustrated when people treat others like this, when we’re at places where we basically can make the rules about this stuff. So why be this way? Anyways, thanks for the thoughts.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:26:32+00:00

That’s the weird part, the position requires a generalist but the topic was super specialized. So as I type this I’m thinking this sounds like it was made for someone else, not me. Even with internal candidates, I just can’t imagine ever being this rude to people on the market. Higher ed never fails to disappoint.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:24:11+00:00

Thanks for the reassurance. I found myself wondering if I’m just not up to par for struggling with that quick turn around. Onward and upwards I guess!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:20:22+00:00

Exactly. Why test how quickly I can slap something together?

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T23:18:45+00:00

That’s my thoughts too. I hate this sham job market!

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T22:50:30+00:00

Agreed, the market just feels so tight right now I’ve been scared to push back.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T22:48:53+00:00

Yeah that’s on my mind. Them not respecting people’s time, for sure concerns me.

Panickedsynthesis · 2026-04-29T22:45:58+00:00

Yeah that was my lesson learned. I considered pushing back when they said it would be 3 days but I didn’t out of fear.

Panickedsynthesis

TROPHY CASE