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Awesome news! :3
4 years ago
So I just got an e-mail from my university saying that I've been given tenure at my university!
For those who don't know, this is a big deal - one of the biggest deals a scholar can get! It means that I've got a position for life at my university!
If you'll permit me to be sappy and sentimental for just a moment... This is a huge deal for me. Like, beyond words. I remember starting out in grad school and going down the path of studying furries... I remember being told repeatedly by folks not to do it - that it was a "career killer", and that I wouldn't be taken seriously. And, sure enough, we've had articles rejected countless times from journals, simply because the subject was too weird or editors thought that it was a joke, that we weren't doing real research. I'm pretty sure that the bizarre nature of my research was at least part of the reason why, over two years, I was rejected for more than 120 different positions that I had applied for.
That's why this tenure feels so amazing to me - it's validation. For nearly a decade I did research that, in my heart of hearts, I truly believed was important and meaningful, and have stood by my guns that fantasy and leisure activities are worth taking seriously. But near the end, before I finally landed my current job, I did start to lose hope. I told myself I was one year away from giving it all up and just leaving academia altogether - one more set of rejections from hanging up the towel and trying something else entirely.
Getting tenure is so validating - for the first time, I finally feel completely sure that I made the right decision - that a journey which started more than 12 years ago has finally come to fruition! I'm where I want to be!
Thank you to everyone who's followed me on this journey. It's 100% true that I would never have had the audacity to keep trying if it weren't for the furry fandom and all the friends I've made along the way. Thank you all - this is just as much your achievement as it is mine! <3
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go cry a bit more while listening to this for the tenth time tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHm4dXkFNo
For those who don't know, this is a big deal - one of the biggest deals a scholar can get! It means that I've got a position for life at my university!
If you'll permit me to be sappy and sentimental for just a moment... This is a huge deal for me. Like, beyond words. I remember starting out in grad school and going down the path of studying furries... I remember being told repeatedly by folks not to do it - that it was a "career killer", and that I wouldn't be taken seriously. And, sure enough, we've had articles rejected countless times from journals, simply because the subject was too weird or editors thought that it was a joke, that we weren't doing real research. I'm pretty sure that the bizarre nature of my research was at least part of the reason why, over two years, I was rejected for more than 120 different positions that I had applied for.
That's why this tenure feels so amazing to me - it's validation. For nearly a decade I did research that, in my heart of hearts, I truly believed was important and meaningful, and have stood by my guns that fantasy and leisure activities are worth taking seriously. But near the end, before I finally landed my current job, I did start to lose hope. I told myself I was one year away from giving it all up and just leaving academia altogether - one more set of rejections from hanging up the towel and trying something else entirely.
Getting tenure is so validating - for the first time, I finally feel completely sure that I made the right decision - that a journey which started more than 12 years ago has finally come to fruition! I'm where I want to be!
Thank you to everyone who's followed me on this journey. It's 100% true that I would never have had the audacity to keep trying if it weren't for the furry fandom and all the friends I've made along the way. Thank you all - this is just as much your achievement as it is mine! <3
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go cry a bit more while listening to this for the tenth time tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdHm4dXkFNo
Just promise you won't turn into one of those profs. that doesn't give a shit because they're tenured. Knowing you, though, I think you'll be alright. :)
As I said everywhere, you're stuck with us now! And you're in a cool university and you can be studying furries all you want!
NOW! NOW you can wear your collar *professionally!* j/k
You’re such an inspiration to us all and bring such fascinating insight to this aspect of our lives! I’m so grateful for all your work for this community which is so unique.
Nothing but mad props!
That is such great news to hear man! *hugs* From Arkansas USA