Happy and sad day
Today I had a very happy and a very sad day: The happy part was that one friend of mine finally became full professor, and another got a permanent position.
Big congratulations to the two!
The bad thing was that an application of mine for a permanent position was rejected. The call had my name written in big letters on it: Searched for was a mathematician (yes, that is my major!), who can also program (hey yes, Google wanted me, and I am programming a lot), and also can teach in Japanese (yes, just finished a full course in Japanese) and English (well, yes).
Now, not getting the job is normal, but not even getting invited to an interview is something that did surprise me a lot. I really would like to know the reason, but that I will never know (besides having my own explanations).
All in all, slightly depressing for me, but very happy for my friends.
Maybe I should have stayed mountain guide?
Sorry Norbert. Life’s full of odd dissappointments. But mostly not, thankfully. I’m rooting for you.
Hi Pete,
thanks for the comment. I agree, these days of disappointments are rare, and, I am optimist, something will turn up at some point.
Oje, schade. 🙁 Wo waer die Stelle denn gewesen?
…and also can teach in Japanese
couldn’t that be the issue?
My impression was always that tenured/permanent positions in Japan are not always decided on a scientific evaluation, but the decision is also very political. Did you had enough lobbying/networking?
I don’t think it’s impossible to get tenure/a permanent position for a (non asian looking) foreigner in Japan, but it is certainly not an easy task… [and this is not about crying racism or anything, just saying it’s difficult. And also, it’s of course difficult, no matter in which country]
Hi Umij, thanks for your comment. Yes, I can teach in Japanese 😉 And yes, I agree, the tenure – and in fact any position – in Japan is more based on networking and lobbying. But as I wrote, I have my own theory concerning the decision made on this occasion, but I will not write it here.
Just to clarify: I didn’t want to question your Japanese ability at all. What I meant was, that no matter what your real ability, you are _perceived_ as foreign/not beaing able to speak. Completely over top, but gets the point across: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLt5qSm9U80 Just guessing, of course.
Anyway, good luck in your continuing search, and thanks for all the work on tex.
Oh, man, thanks, that video saved my day … 😉 That is straight out of reality here in Ura-nihon!