And the truly key questions: what's the local cost of living, and how big is Molly's debt burden?. Also, I hope that aspiring-proffie-dude realizes that, as a full-time, tenure-track professor, Molly is one of the lucky ones (whether or not it always feels like that).
I only very recently broke 50K, and I'm in a high-cost-of-living (especially housing) area. I've also been teaching for 20+ years, and am almost 50 years old. Was there a time when making a salary that matches your age was considered pretty good? If so, I don't think that's the case any more.
Molly says: Well, I really am a Sociology proffie at a large university in the midwest. I'm in my mid 30s, love my job, hate my job...LOL. Just like everyone else, I guess. The students keep me in the profession; they really do. I love the challenge of a new semester. I wish I could actually DRAW these cartoons, but as I said earlier, I'm just putting clip art I find into boxes and making up the text. (Thank goodness for Photoshop and Comic Sans fonts!)
Speaking of academic comics, Sally Forth has periodically been presenting an all-too-realistic picture of the intro college classroom (well, except perhaps for the fact that Ralph seems to be semi-supporting a family on his wages) for the last year or so. This week is an example (I think that link may take you to the current day's comic; 1/28/2014-1/31/14 are all higher-ed themed, and pretty good).
And the truly key questions: what's the local cost of living, and how big is Molly's debt burden?. Also, I hope that aspiring-proffie-dude realizes that, as a full-time, tenure-track professor, Molly is one of the lucky ones (whether or not it always feels like that).
ReplyDeleteHaha, I saw that and said, "Damn, I can't even IMAGINE making $50K. I dream of $35!"
DeleteI think that says sad, sad things about both this profession and my situation. *sigh*
I only very recently broke 50K, and I'm in a high-cost-of-living (especially housing) area. I've also been teaching for 20+ years, and am almost 50 years old. Was there a time when making a salary that matches your age was considered pretty good? If so, I don't think that's the case any more.
DeleteMolly, are you doing these just for us?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what's your story? Tell us more about yourself.
Molly says:
DeleteWell, I really am a Sociology proffie at a large university in the midwest. I'm in my mid 30s, love my job, hate my job...LOL. Just like everyone else, I guess. The students keep me in the profession; they really do. I love the challenge of a new semester. I wish I could actually DRAW these cartoons, but as I said earlier, I'm just putting clip art I find into boxes and making up the text. (Thank goodness for Photoshop and Comic Sans fonts!)
Shopping at thrift stores is actually kind of fun.
ReplyDeleteMolly says:
DeleteAre you saying my character's clothes look thrift shoppy? LOL. And I do agree with you.
Speaking of academic comics, Sally Forth has periodically been presenting an all-too-realistic picture of the intro college classroom (well, except perhaps for the fact that Ralph seems to be semi-supporting a family on his wages) for the last year or so. This week is an example (I think that link may take you to the current day's comic; 1/28/2014-1/31/14 are all higher-ed themed, and pretty good).
ReplyDelete