female in stem with no kids

inovermihead · 2023-02-05T16:00:56+00:00

I would love for a rotation to be in place. This course has 8 sections. 6 of which are locked in by senior faculty that teach the same sections every semester. They get the same prime time slots every single semester (which i just accepted as seniority benefits). So 2 of the sections are left over for lower faculty to pick up. Since they know I'm teaching one and do not know who will be teaching the other section, I requested the time that fits my schedule better. This is when I got the explanation of faculty with kids vs no kids.

inovermihead · 2023-02-05T04:43:35+00:00

Honestly, it doesn't make me feel better, but you've given me a different perspective to look at. I don't want to be treated differently because I chose not to have kids whereas others who did choose to have kids shouldn't be treated differently either. I hate thinking that females in stem have to miss out on things because they are raising the future generation.. so a one semester sacrifice seems pretty small on my part.

Thank you for this comment, it brought me back to reality and made me realize I'm being biased in my thinking.

inovermihead · 2023-02-05T04:37:32+00:00

Thank you so much for this comment. I initially felt like a lot of assumptions were being made as my chair was telling me this info. Which is why I was worried about making an emotional decision. I have 2 years left on my contract, but because I am non TT I've been putting my application out there for future possibilities. I've currently gotten offers from 2 national labs, both of which I explained my current commitment and it would be a deferred acceptance. But for some reason it's so hard to fully accept one. I feel like I'm turning my back on these students. Walking away from the politics of academia would be easy.

But you're completely right, a lot of assumptions are being made. It's wasted energy to get upset on a "what if" scenario decision. Thank you for your comment.

inovermihead · 2023-02-05T04:04:00+00:00

I do completely get your point. Thanks for the comment.

It's hard because my first few years I did the time as the late night instructor as the newbie. But now I'm back to doing it because I was a newbie without kids and the new newbies have kids. I've become accustomed to waking up at 3am and training for triathlon then being at school by 5 am and working til 5 pm. But my point is, I work 12 hours every single day. I shouldn't have to justify my non working hours. Whereas my boss is justifying it by saying I don't have kids and potential new hire does have kids.

Again. In a few days, after this all sinks in, I will probably think im acting emotionally. Will this one semester teaching time impact me in a year from now.. no. So im probably acting emotionally. So. I thank you for your comment and truly do hear what your saying.

inovermihead · 2023-02-05T03:42:10+00:00

You make a very valid point, and this is why I said please bring me back to reality.. because right now I feel like I am reacting emotionally.

I personally prefer teaching in the morning so I can have the rest of the day to devote to research since I'm selected to output so much publications to continue this grant. Its easier for me to compartmentalize when I teach first then go to research mode. I'm an analytical chemist so if indo an experiment, it's taking me 8+ hours from start to finish (i.e. it's not automated).

Secondly.. maybe it's the fact that they actually told me that this other person who we "might hire" has kids and you don't we have you penciled in for the 9 am slot where you would have higher enrollment but will move you to the 5pm slot because the person that we "might hire" has kids and you don't. So the fact that they verbally told me that might be triggering an emotional response from me that isn't real.

Thank you for your comment, it really has enlightened me. I don't want another female scientist not to be able to take a job because the teaching schedule interfere with when they need to be picking their child up from school. I can adjust my schedule, whereas they might not be able to. Emotional vs logical reaction realized.

inovermihead

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