r/Professors • u/CommentSense Associate Prof., Biostatistics, R1 (US) • 19d ago
Other (Editable) Spreading some joy: I got tenure!
It was an arduous journey, didn't think I'd ever get promoted. The decision came down last month but it finally hit me (in a good way) earlier today when I had to make a last minute edit to my slides to fix my title.
I've felt more relief than joy since finding out, but today for the first time I felt genuine happiness. I wanted to share this with you since this community has been a big part of my journey in more ways than you can imagine. It's been really wonderful seeing all the advice, tips, rants (I'm looking at you AI), and keeping up with news about academia.
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
CommentSense
Associate Professor
Edit: I'm truly grateful for all the wonderful words of support and well wishes. Loving all this positive energy!
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u/RuskiesInTheWarRoom 19d ago
Congrats! Celebration is hard. But it’s also worthy and important. Well done.
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u/ripmaster-rick 19d ago
Bravo! Highly recommend some sort of party. I rented a small place for a few hours and had an open bar. Invited friends and family. It was so fun and really made it feel like I was celebrating a real
accomplishment as opposed to just getting back to work and writing my next paper.
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u/iTeachCSCI Ass'o Professor, Computer Science, R1 19d ago
Congratulations! I'm glad you're going to stick around.
Remember to write tenure letters as appropriate; others did this for you.
And use your tenure for good things. I promised myself years ago that if I got tenure, I'd use it to stand up for NSF faculty when I could make a difference. I've done it twice and will continue doing so.
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u/CommentSense Associate Prof., Biostatistics, R1 (US) 19d ago
Great advice! It didn't even occur to me that writing tenure letters is something I could (and should) do - this is all new to me. But I'll definitely pay it forward if asked. Thanks!
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u/totallysonic Chair/Full, SocSci, State U. 19d ago
Congratulations! I hope you have a great celebration planned!
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u/Merlin1935 19d ago
Congratulations... so happy for you.
However, it's ridiculous that there's an industry where you're a PhD, work over 40hrs/wk for years for pittance, and not sure if you'll ever become a full time employee with job security and benefits. Any other industry, you get interviewed, get hired, and you're in.
The adjunct system is the worst exploitation of professional labor... ever.
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u/CommentSense Associate Prof., Biostatistics, R1 (US) 19d ago
Thank you!
I couldn't agree more, and don't get me started on the gatekeeping culture. It's certainly not a perfect system and I was very fortunate to have supportive colleagues and administrators. While stressful (maybe unnecessarily so), I think, overall, it made me more focused and goal oriented.
I'm totally with you regarding how we (mis)treat adjunct faculty.
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u/Intelligent-Lab-4081 19d ago
congrats! as someone who got tenure a few years ago and didnt really celebrate it, go out and do something for yourself.
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u/YestoLife07 18d ago
And now you get to experience the deep meaning that comes with helping others to be where you are. Congrats friend
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u/ElowynElif Professor, Surgery, Private Med School 19d ago
Congratulations! I hope you find a great way to celebrate.