Devon Hedrick-Shaw

Yes to analog hobbies!

Thank you for inviting me. Best of luck to those on the market (or preparing to go on the market)! It was wonderful to engage with everyone.

For my job talk, the heart of my presentation didn’t change. I did though spend a lot of time researching the university and state/local contexts so I could speak to how my work might look in those contexts. I tried to make a case for how my research might support local, state, institutional needs.

A6. This can be challenging. We can be so close to our work and forget that others might not be as interested. We have to take a step back and tell the story of who we are, how we came to our work, and why the topic we’re sharing matters (or should matter to others not in our field). #literacies

I think that's great advice. I think demystifying the process is helpful for all of us, including our loved ones.

A5. Being on the market was so emotionally taxing. It made me question myself, test my patience, and exist in long-term uncertainty. What kept me going was a group chat with others on the market where we could vent. Also a nice early 2000’s emo playlist #literacies

Yes! I highly encourage everyone to attend these practice talks (as well as actual job talks for positions at your institution). They're great learning opportunities.

Yes, this is so, so important. As a candidate there's so much happening behind the scenes out of our control.

I think this question is a great reminder that even when you don't "get the job," being on the market can be a great way to meet people that you'll possibly reconnect with at places like AERA or other conferences.

A4. It’s a marathon and every minute of it is part of the interview. Pace yourself and ask for a break if needed. Also, practice the job talk beforehand and get lots of feedback! The job talk is its own genre; there are lots of ways to do it but also people expect certain components. #literacies

Exactly!

This was definitely the advice I got. I was told "it's a national search" unless I wanted to limit options.

I think it’s also important to practice responses to anticipated questions. Keep answers under 2 min. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen is when candidates get nervous and take too long to answer one Q, not leaving time for others. Committees usually have 7-10 Qs to get through in 20-30 min.

A3. Most importantly, I’ve learned that the committee wants you to do well. If they’re taking the time to interview you, they are interested. The interviews can be daunting bc they are quick and hard to read energy. But be confident and let yourself shine—they want you to do well. #literacies

I guess I should add: Preparing applications meant drafting my base documents (cover letter, CV, research/teaching/mentoring statements) and getting LOTS of feedback.

Yes, I love that imagery!

Apart from submitting the applications, search committees move at different timelines. The key for me was learning to be patient. Some committees moved fast, others took 1 month+ to get back to me, many I never heard back from.

A2. I began preparing applications the summer before my last year in the program. Most job ads didn’t appear until late August/September. Most applications were due by Nov, though there seemed to be a second wave of postings in Dec/Jan. #literacies

Yes, this is so true. For us it was about having a conversation about priorities when pursuing our next step.

I also think it’s important to have a plan for different kinds of jobs. I was aiming for R1 but knew it was a long shot. I was ready to apply to teaching positions and district/school roles. We decided not to apply to post doc roles only because we didn’t want to have to move again.

A1. For me, family was an important factor. My husband and I talked about each opportunity before I submitted an application. We prioritized opportunities within a day’s driving distance to family. At the same time, I knew I would have to apply nationally given limited opportunities. #literacies

@writinglit.bsky.social Thanks for inviting me to the chat this evening! I'm excited to engage with the community around the academic job search process. #literacies

Ready for our next #literacies chat? Please join us in one week for our chat where we consider “Navigating the #literacies Job Market: Sustaining Practices for Academics” hosted by Dr. Hedrick-Shaw (Devon Hedrick-Shaw)!