Hey Jane! is an advice column that addresses issues of interest to feminist sociologists and sociologist-activists. The name honors Jane Addams, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a feminist sociologist whose work is not always recognized. This Q&A is hosted by the Career Development Committee, who solicits anonymous questions and responses from multiple SWS members. If you have questions or suggestions, please e-mail Susan Dietsch at HeyJaneSWS@gmail.com . All issues are listed below.
Hey Jane! Archives
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- Hey Jane! Issue 43
Advice on Service Loads - Hey Jane! Issue 42
Negotiating and navigating a joint appointment - Hey Jane! Issue 41
Becoming Internationally Engaged - Hey Jane! Issue 40
Advice for Finding Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities - Hey Jane! Issue 39
Making Cold Introductions - Hey Jane! Issue 38
Advice for Graduate Students Seeking Mentors - Hey Jane! Issue 37
Advice for First-Year Graduate Students: Picking a Topic & Committee, Finding Balance - Hey Jane! Issue 36
- Advice for Undergraduates Considering Graduate School
- Hey Jane! Issue 35
- Free & Low-Cost Professional Development Resources
- Hey Jane! Issue 34
Dealing with a Difficult Chair - Hey Jane! Issue 33
How can I start a local SWS chapter? - Hey Jane Volume 32
Starting a shared space writing group. - Hey Jane! Issue 31
P & T Clock Extensions - Hey Jane! Issue 30
Advice on Honoraria - Hey Jane! Issue 29
Promotion to Full Professor. - Hey Jane! Issue 28
“I’m a leader in my department, and it’s quite clear that the ‘climate’ is not experienced as equally warm by all members. What can I do?” - Hey Jane! Issue 27
“How do I get published in Gender & Society?” - Hey Jane! Issue 26
“How Should I Negotiate What Seem Like Ever-Increasing Service Burdens? How Can Administrators Develop Best Practices for Service for Faculty?” - Hey Jane! Issue 25
“I need to get grants! What advice can you offer about seeking funding sources and putting together an application? What sorts of resources are available? Help!” - Hey Jane! Issue 24
“I am currently on the market and preparing for my first campus interview. What advice can you offer as I prepare my job talk?” - Hey Jane! Issue 23
For this month’s Hey Jane! Column I asked you to send me your “best” piece of advice. Thank you to everyone who responded. I have organized what you sent (with minimal editing) into topics for quick reference.
My personal top three “best” pieces of advice include:- Learn how to say no.
- You will be the smartest person in the room during your dissertation defense.
- Done is better than perfect
- Hey Jane! Issue 22
“I am preparing for my 3rd year review and am wondering how to best address negative student course evaluations in my statement. I am particularly concerned that some comments seem to be a reflection of the student’s perception of my personal characteristics and feminist teaching style rather than a reflection of how much they have learned during the semester. Help!” - Hey Jane! Issue 21
“I am on the job market and have been asked to participate in a phone interview. My departmenthas prepared me well for the on-campus interview, but I am less confident in my phoneinterviewing skills. Help!” - Hey Jane! Issue 20
“Although I already have a tenure-track job, I have decided to go back on the job market. I am afraid that if I don not include a letter of reference from a colleague in my current department, then the search committees will think that I am underperforming in my current job. What advice can you give me about informing my current departmental colleagues about my job search?” - Hey Jane! Issue 19
“I want to cite my friend’s work in my new book, but I don’t know if it is appropriate to do because of our relationship. I do not want to recreate the ‘Old Boys Network’ of which I have always been critical.” - Hey Jane! Issue 18
“My graduate training has prepared me well for a career in academia, but I would like to work outside of the academy. What do I do?” - Hey Jane! Issue 17
“I’m beginning to think about retiring from academia and I hear people talk about “planning” for retirement – what kinds of plansdo I need to make?” - Hey Jane! Issue 16
“My partner and I have both been offered fantastic jobs in different states. We are trying to decide whether or not to attempt a commuter relationship, what advice can you give us?” - Hey Jane! Issue 15
“I’ve just received a job offer. How do I negotiate?” - Hey Jane! Issue 14
“I am in a position where I occasionally have to help manage conflict between faculty members or between graduate students (or between faculty members and graduate students).” - Hey Jane! Issue 13
“I have a sabbatical coming up, what are some interesting ways I could spend this time and what steps do I need to take to make it happen?” - Hey Jane! Issue 12
“How do I negotiate being pregnant or nursing an infant while I’m on the job market?” - Hey Jane Volume 11
“I have been denied tenure at my institution, what do I do now?” - Hey Jane! Issue 10
“I am part of an academic couple, what advice can you give me and my partner on searching for jobs and negotiating a dual hire?” - Hey Jane! Issue 9
“I would like to get involved ASA governance and leadership. How do I get started?” - Hey Jane! Issue 8
“Negotiating family/pregnancy leave PART II: The view from administration…” - Hey Jane! Issue 7
“Negotiating family/pregnancy leave PART I: The view from expectant parents…” - Hey Jane! Issue 6
“Mentoring, Part II: How do I manage a mentor-mentee relationship?” - Hey Jane! Issue 5
“Do I need a mentor? What would I talk to a mentor about? How do I find a mentor? - Hey Jane! Issue 4
“How can I meet more scholars in my area of specialization? How can I get my name known among scholars in my area?” - Hey Jane! Issue 3
“I earned tenure four years ago and am now swamped with committee work in my department and college/university that I was protected from before. How can I find time to work on promotion to full?” - Hey Jane! Issue 2
“How/when can I say “no” to service work such as serving on committees, directing theses, etc.?” - Hey Jane! Issue 1
“I’m not sure if I should put up a poster about a political rally on my office door. Should I?”