Re: Why did I take it so personally?

[Dr Susan C Oldrieve <soldriev@baldwinw.edu>]

What makes my situation even more difficult is that (1) I'm
> an adjunct who (2) has applied for the only full-time teaching position at
> this institution which (3) happens to be the only full-time gig within a
> 2-hr drive of home and (4) this colleague is the chair of the search committee.
> 
> Yes, I'm losing it...however, I have decided to help the students no matter
> what toes I squish.  Other jobs will come and go, but I feel like I owe it
> to these students.  If you see me on the street corner with a tin cup,
> you'll know how it turned out...

Tracey--
	Good for you!  I applaud your courage and integrity.  I've also
been in situations where I've found my job and promotions threatened
because of decisions I've made about doing what I think is the right thing
to do, and it is VERY stressful.  Maybe I've been lucky, and maybe I'm
naive--I know that people do lose their job opportunities, their jobs, not
get tenure, not get promoted because of running up against the values of
someone with more power--but I have found that integrity not only makes
your feel very good about yourself, but it also pays off professionally in
the long run, not only in terms of having a position you can live with but
also in terms of earning respect from the majority of your colleagues.  So
hang in there!
			Susan