What do I tell people?
 

As many of you know, I didn't get tenure at the college where I teach, which means that in one year, I will be out of a job. The main reason I didn't get tenure was due to my medical problems. I was delayed getting my master's degree and also wasn't able to complete several things I had volunteered for because of having to deal not only cervical cancer and its treatment, but also these weird MS-like symptoms (no diagnosis yet).

I had to withdraw my application for tenure and resign, which allowed me to teach for another year here, as the other choice would have been to try to appeal the decision (which I was told has never been successful for any other faculty member) and be immediately terminated at the end of this month and have the tenure rejection go into my employment record.

So, I'm wondering, what on earth do I tell potential employers when they ask why I resigned from such a wonderful job that I loved? If I tell them I was rejected for tenure, then that will look bad on me. If I tell them about my medical problems, they probably won't hire me. Yet I can't think of any other valid reason why I would resign from my job.

Any suggestions on how to explain this without ruining my chances during an interview?

You get creative just like you would at any other job. I'd never say, I quit because my boss is a jerk. I'd say something to the effect of "I was seeking more flexibility, more challenges, more responsibility, more opportunity for advancement, I'm seeking a position where there's more emphasis on the students, more emphasis on professional development, etc. You get the idea. It's all about creativity. There are lots of books out there that will help you find ways of making this sound like it was all your idea and super positive.

I agree with Greta.

On the other hand, you could mention the cancer, without going into details (except to say that you are COMPLETELY "cured").

I was dx with cervical cancer 6 months after my first clear MS attack, but used the cancer as an excuse for being out of the workforce for a while (never mentioning the MS-"scare" for the next 12 yrs) . . .

Cherie

Hi Shashi,

I'm so sorry you didn't get tenure at the college you teach at. That is a hard blow. I am also an assistant professor. I am supposed to go up for tenure in 1 1/2 years and may have to ask that the tenure clock be stopped for a year because this MS crap has interfered with my publication schedule and professional life. I have gotten behind in all the things they judge you on for tenure and I'm a bit nervous that I may get rejected too.

My advice would be DON'T tell interviewers that you got rejected for tenure because that will raise immediate red flags. You are right about that. However, you have an option. I agree with Cherie that you could raise the cancer issue and let them know that it has been cured. Tell the potential employers that you needed to take a break to focus on your health and that unfortunately you had no other options but to resign because you were not sure how long the recovery would take. Tell them that you have recovered 100%. Let them know that you would not have left your college job but unfortunate circumstances created no other option but to resign. Don't tell them about the MS symptoms. The cancer can be portrayed as a health crisis that interfered with your career but has been resolved. The MS, of course, is a chronic disease and that could be used against you (whether it is legal to do that or not).

You should check out the website American Association of University Professors (AAUP). They have lots of good legal advice about diabilities, tenure etc. When I got diagnosed last Sept. (and then more officially in Dec.) I had no idea if I should tell people what was going on. I went here to learn what my rights are in academia under the American Disability Act and also just to get practical advice about whether to tell or not and how to handle the situation of chronic illness in the academic workplace.

http://www.aaup.org/aaup

Good luck with the interviewing and I hope you find what you are looking for. I'll be thinking about you. :)

Warmly,
Natalie

Everyone gave you some great advice. You'll do fine. I want to wich you (early I know) the best of luck finding the position you want and that you'll love. I don't have a job, I have a passion. I LOVE my job, so I don't consider it one!! I hope you find something you love just as much. I hope they put this MS suff to rest for you soon also, and you stop living in limbo!

Good luck!
Connie

Thanks, everyone. You've all given me some great suggestions, and I feel better facing the unknown now. It's amazing how that one question just had me baffled!

hi am curious can they discriminate against you because of a medical condition? for your tenure, thought that was illegal

Shashi,

What jumped out at me in your post is the fact that you are teaching in a college without your Master's Degree. Is it possible that not getting the degree is the main cause of you not getting tenured as opposed to your medical problems?

gmi

gmi,

I teach career tech courses in medical transcription, so a master's degree wasn't a requirement for my employment. However, it was recommended that I get a master's degree, so I've been working on it and have 12 credits. I would have actually graduated by now, but because of the cancer and the neurological problems, I had to take some time off. I am taking two classes this semester, and will graduate in May of next year, but that didn't seem to matter to my department when they voted to deny me tenure.

What really hurts is I've noticed members of my department seems to be shunning me. I'll walk by and they don't speak to me or even acknowledge my presence. I've done nothing to deserve that. I know my department head said that the department's decision wasn't personal, but all I can think about is that they don't want me there. It is personal when you're the one being rejected. And all this happened the very week that my husband and I split up and I had just moved out. (We've since gotten back together.) On top of everything I've been through with my health and with my marriage, I certainly didn't need to lose my job.

(My students are all furious and wanted to write letters and picket, but I discourged them from doing that. It wouldn't help, and might look like I had put them up to it, which I would never do.)

But at least I have a year to find something else. A lot can happen in a year.

Thanks again and hugs to everyone.

Natalie, I should have stopped the clock on the tenure process too, but I thought I would be okay. I guess, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.

Good luck with your tenure process. I'll be praying that you have no problems.

Hugs,

Lisa