This past Thursday and Friday, I had my first ever on-campus interview! It was an awesome experience. I honestly have to say that I was very pleased with the entire process and I absolutely fell in love with the department, the university, and the city.
They flew me down Thursday afternoon, and took me out to dinner with two of the faculty members from the department. They then dropped me off at the hotel for the night. I then proceeded to open up my laptop and go over my presentation for the next day…only to realize that my screen got busted during my trip!! Enter “FREAK OUT MODE!” Obviously, I had my presentation on my jump drive, but still how was I to go over my presentation?! Luckily, the hotel had a business center with up-to-date computers, so I was saved…although my laptop is still busted.
The next morning I was picked up at the hotel by the chair of the department and taken out to breakfast with him and another faculty member. Breakfast was very laid back and a nice way to start the morning. We then traveled to the campus and I got a quick tour of the department’s building before beginning the faculty rotations. each faculty member was extremely nice and very happy to be in their current position. After meeting with a couple of the faculty members, it was time for my presentation. This was an interview for a lecturer position, so the only presentation that I gave was a teaching lecture. It was a very nerve racking time, but I ended up doing fairly well and everyone seemed pleased. After my presentation, one of the student groups sponsored lunch and I ate lunch with the students so that they could ask me any questions.
I then continued my faculty rotations, and mixed in there was a trip to Human Resources, a more detailed tour of the department’s building, and a tour around the campus. As the day was drawing to a close, I kept getting a stronger and stronger positive vibe from the whole department. I was then taken back to the airport and left on my way back home.
Despite this being my very first on-campus interview, it has to be my best professional experiences to date! I can’t get over how genuinely happy everyone seemed. Not only were they all happy, but they all got along with one another. Not once did anyone talk negatively about anyone else or say anything negative about the department. I know that they were probably asked to be on their best behavior, but you would still expect one or two to not fully cooperate. I am still gushing over the great feeling that I received from this department.
Oh, and while on the campus tour with the chair of the search committee he unofficially said that the position was mine for the taking!! This is absolutely an amazing feeling!!! To know that I have somewhere to go in the Fall, and not having that feeling of dread and doubt. I am still waiting on the official offer which he said should come either tomorrow of Tuesday. I am also waiting on one more interview at another university before I make my final decision.
Now, back to reality…
A PhD's Life 