Vince Pitelka on tue 7 oct 97
Dear Clayarters -
Periodic posts on this list indicate that chances of getting tenure-track
teaching jobs in academia are practically nil. I want to address this
issue, because I do not agree. First of all, it is VERY difficult to attain
a tenure track job in academia. I would never tell anyone otherwise. There
are many ceramics MFA programs, producing many graduates each year, and the
number of positions is obviously very limited. However, it has been my
experience that those who are most committed to finding a tenure track job,
and who are also highly qualified, usually find them.
Addressing this issue requires that we define what is meant by "most
qualified." While an MFA degree alone was enough to guarantee a tenure
track job twenty years ago, today far more is required. A candidate must
have university teaching experience, very strong work, an extensive
exhibition record, broad knowledge of ceramic chemistry and studio
practices, and preferably should have some publications in the form of books
and/or magazine articles. They must be articulate in speaking and writing,
and they must have a comfortable familiarity with historical and
contemporary art. Of course, requirements vary widely with specific jobs.
And of course many very successful teachers do not have all these
qualifications, and many people who DO get tenure track jobs do not have all
these qualifications. But if an individual is really committed to the
objective of getting a tenure track teaching job in ceramics, they should
work towards all of these qualifications.
There is the ever-present catch-22 requiring full-time university teaching
experience in order to get a full-time university teaching job. The answer
is to simply seek every part-time and full-time temporary job which can be
found in a university or four-year college, no matter where it is, and no
matter what the duration. That sounds extreme, but that is often the
primary tactic which demonstrates strong commitment to teaching, and which
results in broad teaching experience. Also, many of the tenure-track jobs
out there today require teaching in foundations and perhaps one or two other
fields besides the candidates primary area of expertise. The answer is to
develop multiple areas of expertise. Any MFA candidate who is really
committed to finding a tenure track position, and who is about to graduate,
should send resumes and portfolios out to all the smaller four-year colleges
and universities within whatever radius they are willing to consider. And
as mentioned, they should apply to every temporary and sabatical replacement
position, and every artist-in-residence position which is advertised. If
the candidate is situated in a major metropolitan area, it will most likely
not be difficult to secure a number of part-time jobs in four-year colleges
and universities, which in turn can lead to greater opportunities.
Please note that I do not include two-year colleges as part of the pathway
to a tenure-track job. I expect to get flamed for this, but if you are
really committed to finding a tenure track position, stay away from
opportunities in two-year colleges, because it is very difficult to move up
into a job in a four-year college or university. It is sad, but that is the
unfortunate reality. It is especially sad, because teachers in two-year
colleges WORK VERY HARD, and people with significant experience in two-year
colleges are often VERY STRONG TEACHERS. And of course, a teaching job in a
good two-year colleges is an excellent career, and the pay is often much
better than in second-rate or third-rate four year colleges or universities.
I think that ultimately this just underscores the importance of being
realistic about your ambition and your career path. If you set out to be a
university educator, do not expect it to be an easy path. Those who seek
university teaching jobs in history, art history, science, etc., usually
take five to ten years to complete their graduate education, and they have
to do an enormous amount of research and write a book (or the equivalent)
before receiving their doctorate. So, if you have to spend two to three
years in graduate school completing your MFA, then several years in
artist-in-residence positions, and then four or five years in part-time
university positions before finally securing a tenure track position, that
is just part of the process, and the reality of the market.
One more point. I think it is usually a mistake for a BFA graduate to go
directly into graduate school. It is far wiser to go out there and get
experience by setting up a studio, working as an artist-in-residence or an
apprentice, working in a gallery or museum (while also mainting one's own
artwork), etc. The result is a stronger portfolio for application to
graduate school, and broader experience which makes one more effective as a
graduate student, and finally, a few years of additional maturity which
makes the individual more attractive as a job candidate.
There is no reason that anyone who is truly committed to being a university
educator should hesitate to pursue that goal. If they are really committed
to the dynamics of teaching, if their work is strong and original, if they
actively pursue exhibition opportunities, if they seek diverse experience in
art, and if they seek every sort of teaching opportunity in four-year
colleges and in universities, they will be successful in their search.
As always, I welcome feedback on any or all of the above.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Erin Hayes on wed 8 oct 97
In response to Vince's words about finding a job in Academia, I'd like
to add a few words.
When I was in grad school all the graduating students wre hopping all
over the country going to CAA conventions, taking 6 month replacements
and all of the "dues paying" experience that it generally takes to land
a university gig.
For those who want a different path, I suggest using letters of inquiry
to search for that starting position at a commmunity or junior college.
When I graduated I sent out about 45 packets with letters, teaching
philosophy, prints of a few of my sculptures, a couple of course syllabi
and - most importantly - a postcard, prestamped, that the person reading
the letter could pop into the mail to let me know their situation.
I got nearly all of them back, but out of the 45, only one school had a
position opening. It's the school I teach at now, so it worked out
pretty well! If I hadn't have asked, I would never have known about
this job.
My advice is, don't wait for the position you want to get you started,
shop for it a little! At the very least, you'll feel some forward
momentum!
Erin.
--
Erin Hayes
Yakima Valley Community College
PO Box 1647
Yakima, WA 98907-1647
| |
|
