tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856406874129245290.post1881512630122084947..comments2024-02-09T02:43:18.031-05:00Comments on Mahalo.ne.Trash: Work-Life Balance Through Working Efficiently (Part 1)erinjohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836341362965670520noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856406874129245290.post-36769147865088293122013-01-14T13:23:26.055-05:002013-01-14T13:23:26.055-05:00I've always wondered whether this is one of th...I've always wondered whether this is one of the behind-the-scenes differences between men and women in astronomy/physics. As I understand it, women in general have to "say no" to committee work more often as organizers try to put together diverse panels and there are many fewer women. More intangibly, I think women are reflexively trained to want to help so they feel worse saying no. <br />Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05700022120559194238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856406874129245290.post-25491485125306209982013-01-14T12:05:29.118-05:002013-01-14T12:05:29.118-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293237536594816538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856406874129245290.post-48404170013517663292013-01-14T12:04:46.838-05:002013-01-14T12:04:46.838-05:00I was actually just dealing with this issue, sayin...I was actually just dealing with this issue, saying 'no' to an important duty that I just can't do this semester, when I read your post.<br /><br />In my first year, I was just looking for good projects, and saying "yes" to everything. Now, I'm actively shedding projects so that I have time for my commitments.<br /><br />I have a ambivalent view of the "trying to get tenure" approach to selecting projects. In terms of projects I take on, like research directions or committees, I try to ignore the "tenureability" of the choice and focus on whether it interests me. I know that if I'm engaged and stimulated by the project, it will ultimately be better for my career (and the project) than if I chase something that will end up getting back-burnered when I have to make hard choices about my time. If tenure and your interests pull you in opposite directions, you probably have the wrong job (granted, the right one may not exist).<br /><br />But when it comes to my promotion and tenure packet (we have to do one at 2 and 4 years at Penn State, in preparation for the tenure review at 6) I feel very cynical about the process as I milk everything I've done for all its worth, no matter how small. <br /><br />An important concept I pursue in a more general context is getting "credit" for your work. If you do some research, make sure you find a way to work it into a paper you're writing, or a conference proceeding, or something. If you sit on a committee, make sure you have something interesting to say about your time on it for your review.<br /><br />Anonymous panels and referee's reports are tricky for credit (they're anonymous!), but your (private) tenure packets can mention the time you've put into them, and the program officers and journal editors will remember your efforts fondly. <br /><br />With this mentality, I have found, looking back over 2 years of stuff put into my pre-tenure review, that I've accomplished a whole lot more than I remember. A lot of stuff that, when I was doing it, felt like a "distraction" from my real work ("I didn't get anything done today; I spent all morning working on X, instead!") ended up, looking back on it, being something I'm quite proud of.<br /><br />Looking forward to the next installment!Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293237536594816538noreply@blogger.com