This episode features a conversation with Dr. Sara Collins, a newly minted PhD and incoming Assistant Professor at Loyola University Maryland. She is interested in adapted assessments and interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More specifically, she is interested in the school-based issues that surround access to instruction for students with limited speech abilities and teacher support methods that enhance feasibility in implementing evidence-based interventions in inclusive classroom settings.
In this episode, Sara shares her experiences on the 2022-2023 job market which included applying to both postdoc and faculty positions. She discusses how she chose which opportunities to apply for, what she learned about the application process, and her next steps after accepting her faculty position. She also highlights some of the signs of a supportive department and the importance of finding that support in your first position. You can learn more about Sara or connect with her on Twitter @sara_c_collins.
Transcript
NOTE: This podcast was transcribed by a free tool called Otter.ai. Please forgive any typos or errors.
Danika Pfeiffer
Hello Dr. Collins, thank you so much for joining me today.
Sara Collins
Thank you for having me. I’m so excited to be here.
Danika Pfeiffer
I can’t wait to hear about your journey and all of the exciting transitions that you have going on right now. But start with you telling us a little bit about your background. And about you growing up before you started your academic journey.
Sara Collins
Sure, absolutely. So, growing up, I actually lived up and down the East Coast. I was born in Manhattan, New York, and then I lived in northern New Jersey until I was about eight years old. I then made the move to Western Massachusetts where I spent probably the majority of my childhood and teenage years. To this day, actually, whenever somebody asks me where I’m from, I often do say Massachusetts, especially since a lot of my family still lives there and I go back really frequently but during my junior year of high school, I did move to South Florida. And it was during this phase I really started preparing for college and starting to think about what do I do want to do beyond graduating high school. I had always really liked school and I tried very hard in school, but I it wasn’t until this point, I really kind of considered what I wanted to do. And after I graduated my new school in Florida had some unique courses that really offered a wide range of languages that you could take. So I enrolled in ASL American Sign Language kind of on a whim and it really just became one of the biggest loves of my life. Just feeling like I can improve quality of life of somebody else. I loved expanding my social network. I just loved this active role of immersing myself in this culture and learning how this could guide where I really wanted to go in my life. I learned I really wanted to be in a helping profession. So I really wanted to incorporate this into what I wanted to do, but I did want to provide a wide range of support to others and learn how to navigate new tools and new methods that really let me help a wide range of individuals. So I did learn about speech language pathology, the field that I am in through having one a sister with autism spectrum disorder, where she received compassionate services throughout her life. And then again, more detail in my ESL class. So I felt like this was a really natural fit. I ended up going to Florida State University for my undergraduate and then later in my masters and my PhD program but in undergraduate Florida State provided a lot of research opportunities that allowed me to really get involved. So that was something that was a huge thing that was advertised kind of at the forefront of my undergraduate journey, which was really interesting to me. I know this field is can be quite competitive. So I I just wanted to learn more about where I fit into this field. And I just ended up loving it. I ended up loving the being able to see how work, active work can impact lives right in front of us. So I worked with infants and toddlers and learned just right before my eyes how they developed language, how they track to different things in their environment. And then I also ended up getting a job at my local library at Florida State where they also provide a lot of research tools as we know in university settings, so I kind of got to be behind the scenes to a lot of that with helping develop, develop a research repository, how researchers get access to research in our field. So I really thought can I make this my career I really just enjoyed the writing. I enjoyed the conversations that I had about how to improve research, how to improve the things that we do the tools that we use, and I knew I could write a lot and I really liked how it was really intellectually stimulating. I liked the constant thinking and discussion. So fast forward to my master’s program and pursuing a master’s in speech language pathology. There were actually several opportunities to pursue a combined Master’s Ph. D program and Florida State was one of them. So I decided to stay here and pursue a five year track to not only complete my master’s as a speech language pathologists but also to develop those research skills as a leader PhD students that I could easily transition into.
Danika Pfeiffer
Okay, so that’s something that we have in common. So I’m excited that you brought that up. We both decided to go straight through from a master’s to peds see, and I think a lot of people weigh whether or not that’s the right track for them if they should go straight through or go out into the field first. So do you remember how did you make that decision? Did you talk to other people about what they did? How did you ultimately decide that going straight through was the right choice for you?
Sara Collins
Yes, that’s a great question. And it’s no easy decision because as an undergraduate student, you’re really just building that foundational knowledge and preparedness to enter this field and to start working as this training clinician, but I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t I think one big question myself and others who have considered this path is am I losing out on that clinical experience? Am I losing out on that clinical training? How do I know I don’t you know, want to dedicate the majority of my field to becoming a clinician a speech, a practicing speech language pathologist, and what I learned quickly is that I could do both. And I think what really made the decision for me was, I knew I just loved being in the classroom. I loved this mentorship feeling when I worked with students, I loved teaching others a new thing. I feel like I learned things best when I can teach it to others. So that felt like a huge deciding factor in how I wanted to guide my career that I also learned that I wanted to stay really connected to the clinical field to really let it guide my research. So with a combined track, you’re able to do both I know there are actually halves in speech language pathology, where you can go right into that research field, but this combined track, really let me stay connected to the clinical field, get my clinical training, and then also part time complete my clinical Fellowship, which is that training period that lets you become clinically competent as an independent clinician or speech language pathologist, so I was able to do this part time while I was doing my research, so I knew wow, I can do both. I can still be in this teaching and research field that I love that is so intellectually stimulating for me. That I can also let the experiences I was actively having guide and shape the research that I was doing in my work.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yes, I had the same experience. I felt like having that CF time during the week and actually being out there in the field was so beneficial for me and all my research questions for my dissertation. It really guided what I was doing and decisions that I made about my dissertation. So I think some people are worried about just like he said, missing out on that clinical piece, but I think it’s good for people to know that you can do both and then I think it does help shape then what you want to do next. So when you get your PhD, what kind of faculty position do you want to be in because there’s plenty where you can still have a clinical role and there’s plenty where you cannot just have a more research heavy role. So I really appreciated that it gave me more options.
Sara Collins
Yes, absolutely. I couldn’t agree more.
Danika Pfeiffer
You recently finished and defended your dissertation just a few days ago. So congratulations again.
Sara Collins
Thank you, thank you. I really, you know, it’s felt just such a whirlwind but an honor to kind of reflect on everything that you go through this process. So this has been a great week to celebrate and to talk to you about it at the end. It’s just such a it’s a fun experience to be able to do that.
Danika Pfeiffer
Well let’s dive into this process that you went through just a few months ago applying to jobs while finishing your dissertation, which is always just a lot. So that’s a lot to balance. How did you decide whether or not you were going to apply to a position when you saw a position posted?
Sara Collins
Yes, that’s a great question. So in the beginning, I knew when a position was posted there were a couple of things that I looked for. I first looked for who they were looking for, and I know that I learned quickly that is not quite that important to consider. But I also looked at where I could see myself living I looked at where I could feel like I would get a contribute the most and get the most out to shape the rest of my career or to start shaping my career. I know things change as you move forward. But funny enough when I first kind of went on the job market, it was around August of last year. And I was very interested in only pursuing a postdoc, I think coming out of this combined track. I thought as though that I needed this extra training. I really wanted to pursue something that would give me that more of that mentorship. So what I did was I first emailed different researchers that were doing similar work that I was or who I knew, had previous postdocs just to introduce myself and say that I was going on to the job market and then later I would be able to chat with them over zoom or over the phone about some opportunities that might pop up. But then my advisor had really encouraged me to apply for both jobs and postdocs, because even if I did accept a postdoc, I would use those application materials later to work off in my postdoc when I decided to go back on the job market. But all in all I knew that I wanted was I was wanting that supportive environment to continue my work. And then I quickly learned that that support just looks a lot of different ways as a doctoral students support was mainly that respect. It’s time to establish boundaries and complete everything I needed to do, which was coursework, papers, data collection, sometimes IRB submission, teaching, you know, all of the things that we have to do as students and candidates, but now as I kind of shifted into this more independent role that I felt after I finished my preliminary examinations, I learned that support was really where was I going to feel most comfortable and live perhaps for a long period of time, especially considering my family and my fiance, who’s lived in Florida his whole life, where can he feel comfortable and where can he feel supported as well. So that tenure track role is not an easy decision. I wanted to establish my work and work towards tenure, but also figure out where I could see myself living for a long period. of time. So I looked at where it was located, and just where I felt like I was gonna get the most support.
Danika Pfeiffer
That makes a lot of sense. And you mentioned that something that you saw in the ads and were trying to tune into was, who they were looking for and then over time you found that that wasn’t as important to consider. Can you talk about that a little bit?
Sara Collins
Yes, absolutely. So when starting to move after I started emailing people, I started to look at different websites. Some of the examples are higher ed jobs or the capsid job market site. We’re also the Chronicle provides jobs and these job postings consider a lot of details. They provide a lot of detail some more DC posts than others. So for example, one of them is the job that they’re looking for. So that’s either a tenure track job a non tenure track job, or is it a clinical assistant professor and assistant professor, associate professor, etc. So one of the things that they tend to highlight is who they’re looking for. So that could be in the area that perhaps their department needs for teaching or to continue a project that they’re working on where they have kind of this gap in their department, and that could be you’ll often saw adult neurogenic and sometimes that’s a little more broad, like, Does my work fit into adult neurogenic disorders or sometimes they would shape broadly for my field, intellectual and developmental disabilities or students with more extensive support needs. So in the beginning, I really tried to fit my work to who they were looking for. But I think and I you know, we’ve, I’ve learned from your podcast and listening to it, from my discussions with faculty in my program that it is not just you know, who, who they’re looking for because you may be a very good fit for that department, beyond to they’re looking for. So I really encourage you that if you’re considering applying for a job to really, if it feels like that support is there, like I talked about, you know, it’s in this environment, you know, you could be and that’s something that makes you excited. It’s a tenure track. role that you know, that’s what you’re looking for actively, and you’re reading some of those responsibilities of what they’re asking for in a candidate. And that fits the responsibilities that you’d like your role to look like. Then I encourage you to go for it because there were several times where I would get an email back or call and I was not that you know, person they were looking for I applied for a job they were adult neuro Genex and I am work with children with intellectual developmental disabilities and they, you know, gave me a screening interview so, while it’s one of several factors in their job search, you never truly know where that search will take them. So that is kind of what I mean when I say that’s one factor to consider.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yeah, thank you. I think that’s really helpful for people to hear especially if you’re going on the market for the first time because a lot of times you see that those words that don’t quite fit you and the kind of work that you do and you just pass it on, but if it does fit so many of the other things that you’re looking for the responsibilities, you’re looking for the location that you want to be in it really doesn’t hurt to throw yourself out there and who knows, you know, you might do a screening interview and they say actually, hey, we could use this person you know, maybe we actually need two people you know, or maybe we can take this person and you don’t know how their search will play out. They might not find that adult neuro person, you know, but they still have a position open and they can hire someone so that could be you. So I think it’s great that you share that.
Sara Collins
Absolutely. There’s just You just never know how many people are what person they’re looking for. So it always helps to Right. Like you said, throw yourself out there. What’s the worst that can happen?
Danika Pfeiffer
You said that you were really leaning towards a postdoc when you started applying. And then you started to apply the faculty position as well. So tell us how this process unfolded once he started submitting your application.
Sara Collins
Yes, so I submitted a variety of applications both to postdocs and two faculty positions I knew as a faculty position when I decided, hey, what could I have to lose by submitting to faculty positions? I really wanted a tenure track role. I really wanted to live in certain geographical locations. So I could see myself and my partner being very supportive in our search for a job in potentially, you know, expanding our lives later, I really wanted to look at an area that supported the work that I did, although I may not fit the person. They’re looking forward that they advertised like we just talked about, I looked for what their department had done historically in my area. So for example, here at Florida State University, we have the Florida Center for reading research and that is something that really fits the needs for you know, supporting how children with a wide range of abilities, learn how to read, so I was looking for something comparable other universities that could really help my work to expand and had those resources. And then lastly, these job postings list different responsibilities for these jobs. So if they often list those teaching requirements or service requirements first, you probably can infer it’s more of a teaching focused role, but if they list those rigorous research responsibilities for such as maintaining a line of research and remaining productive in your research, that you know, it’s probably more of a research focus role. I was really looking for I was actually very open minded postdoc, not postdoc, but also in the faculty positions. I was looking at both what we consider research one jobs and then not research one jobs that may be had, or our two universities or also had more of a teaching focus. So I really just wanted what felt the best to me and again, kept thinking what do I have to lose? I might as well apply for something that felt like it could be fit some of those other boxes that I had mentioned. So when you do see that posting pop up on either of these websites or you see something perhaps on social media, they usually have a link to apply or a person to contact for that. Link to apply. And there’s a series of documents you need to prepare. For a postdoc, I prepare pretty similar materials, but for a postdoc, it might be a little bit shorter, so they might have you give you guided questions, such as, you know, this center, this postdoc is focused on this, how does your work fit? So it was a little bit shorter, and that would be prepared in a cover letter or a letter of intent, which often served as the same thing. So this was about a three page letter for a postdoc that highlighted how I was a good fit, how, what questions I still had to really give myself that opportunity to be open to more training in this role, especially with this mentorship, I would be given and then for a faculty position alternatively, you really have to provide that evidence. You are ready to continue your line of research, you are ready to establish an independent line of research and teaching that is really shows that you’re independent and ready to kind of serve in this role. Without that role guided mentorship. So very funny, sometimes I was I was talking about it and in one way versus another, but there were some postdocs I felt like would be helpful for the extra training and then some faculty positions that I felt had these resources that I could still use in my professional career that could allow me to be successful. So I would prepare that letter of intent for a faculty position that would look like about a four to six page letter. Sometimes it’s shorter for me I had really detailed how I would expand and have established the sign of research, teaching and service and my area and then really researched that university in that department and what they perhaps could find that fit for my work. So was it different faculty members there that I could potentially collaborate with? Was it this environmental support systems such as the Florida Center for reading research, was it this, you know, these collaborators and community based resources that they had, so I really tried to incorporate that in my letter as well. And then of course, your CV and three references were provided during this process. So I really just balanced the two and what I felt like could could support my work moving forward.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yeah, I think it’s so important that you highlighted the difference between the postdoc and faculty applications where the postdoc you’re really just trying to highlight to them how you do share a lot of the same interests and doing the same work, but you still need to develop more skills and that’s why you’re seeking out this post stuff. And then with the faculty position, you have to come off as so independent and ready to be on your own and establish your own research line. So when you’re applying to both at the same time, I’m sure you feel that conflict of like, Oh no, what is it? Do I need more help? Or am I independent?
Sara Collins
That’s that’s such a great point too. I often felt that as well. Like I am really selling myself to one person that I need this support but then to another it’s like nope, I am ready. To do this by myself. I say ready to take on the world. I don’t need anyone. And in some ways that fell oh my gosh, what is it like very reflective process but in other instances, it really took that environment to convince me this could feel like a good opportunity. And it is up to that environment to those faculty members to really you know, they go through this really rigorous interview process they you know, often our imposter syndrome. I feel weakest feeding us like Am I really ready for this faculty position? They go through this really on the other end a rigorous interview process that lets you know, they see something in you that makes it seem as though you are ready for this and you know, you’re it’s a hard process to not be yourself in because they’re often all day interviews, their zoom interviews, where they’re talking to many, many different people, and they’re learning more about you as a person. They can really infer how ready you are to fit your department who will be successful in getting tenure. So I think it is helpful to still you know, if you feel like it could be something that you’d be happy and don’t I had to really convince myself to really pursue opportunities that maybe I didn’t feel super ready for, because I think this process really showed me they they will tell you, if they feel like you’ll be successful. So that was really reassuring to me that I was going to end up where it was the best fit me.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yeah, I think that imposter syndrome feeling is so real especially during a process like this that’s so vulnerable. You have to really put yourself out there and you’re gonna be getting a lot of feedback, whether it’s positive or negative and a really short period of time over the span of a few months. So it’s a lot to really put yourself out there. So I think it’s good to know that going into it that there’s a lot of feelings that are gonna come with it. Absolutely. As you went through this process, and you started putting applications out there and hearing from different schools. I know the end result that you ended up with a faculty position but how did you get there into accepting a faculty position?
Sara Collins
Yeah, absolutely. So a lot of my applications went out. It’s it’s very early and I feel like it gets early and earlier every year but a lot of the one out starting in August of 2022. And then some went out all the way up until the end of December. That just kept popping up. So I spent pretty much the fall of 2022 semester applying to these positions and then towards the end of 2022. I started getting these screening emails I started get wishes for the screening process. I went through zoom meetings that I met with faculty members, the search chair as well as other members of the search committee to just do an informal interview process where they got to know you and they asked the screening questions such as Tell me about your research. Tell me what you’re looking for this position Exactly. Just so they can see and get to know the people before they started to kind of make some of their more final decisions for the position that I ended up accepting. I got an email right after right actually, before I went to Asha, our national conference, we actually met at ASHA, which was a really exciting experience to be able to meet and to get to know them in a place where we’re talking about nothing but the area of speech language pathology. And networking. So that was a very exciting experience. And then a few weeks later, I was invited to fly out to this university to do a two day interview. So what this process looks like because I was flown in the night before and then you spent a long day sometimes to really getting to meet all of the faculty members and being able to meet members of the university to be able to talk to them about your own work to be able to ask questions, this is really your time to ask questions about their university, their work environment. One of my favorite parts of this process is meeting the students as well to be able to talk to them more informally about how they liked the program. What made them choose the program and what made them you know, feel like they could succeed after the program. That was just such a great experience. So you’ll I went through this, these interviews and I did several of them. And then when you come back, and you’re kind of back, I’m heading into the holiday break, and I received this offer from this university that I ended up accepting and what the offer is, is typically a salary number and then what they’re able to offer it with the salary sometimes it’s moving costs. Other times it’s support for your research. Other times it’s being able to have benefits, you know, things like that they’ll they’ll detail different, different items in their offer. So this was a really exciting moment. This is a really exciting time where I got to think about what I really needed to succeed and kind of reflect on Did I did I enjoy this experience? Could I see myself working in this environment? And if so, what do I need to make it happen? So right after the holiday break, in January, we were able to exchange different counter offers, which really kind of worked towards making sure I needed the materials that I could have to succeed in this environment. And I think this process and I tell this to everyone, it really showed me that I ended up exactly where I know I will have a great career is they were just nothing but supportive and receptive to the things that I needed. That even if it wasn’t possible, because some of our requests to come off as OIC we were not able to do that. But you know, they really worked with not only our department and communication disorders, but other departments as well to see what can we do to make you feel like we can get you what you needed and they went above and beyond to really ensure that I got almost everything that I really need to successfully continue my research at this university. So I think going through that process, as I was also doing it, you know, with other universities that had provided offers, this was something that was really telling to me that I felt like I can I can succeed moving forward because of how accommodating because of how compassionate you know, this this exchange was, and then fast forward to end of January, I decided to accept this offer and fully switch back into dissertation mode. Well, that’s going on all at once.
Danika Pfeiffer
Wow. Well, that’s great. I think that’s helpful for people to hear and think about is just those interactions during that negotiation period and how telling that can be about your potential future colleagues, like are these people that you want to work with and that can support you and the work that you want to do and I think that’s a great thing to think about, especially as you said, if you’re receiving multiple offers and trying to figure out which one you want to accept in which place you want to go kind of getting a feel for those interactions and those colleagues is also a great thing to think about.
Sara Collins
I’m going through this process I did go through with two other careers in my doctoral cohort was, which was a huge game changer. Oh my gosh, it is a wonderful thing to have someone to talk to about this, especially as you go home to a spouse or a partner or a friend or family, some no one really understands what this process is like until you’re in it and you’re balancing all of this work. So I really tried to maintain consistent communication with the people that were going through similar situations or have gone through similar situations. So piers are always a great resource to turn to. I’m very grateful for the two individuals I did this with. And then I’m also was able to talk to this with my advisor, especially when I got my initial offer. I was able to share that offer and then talk about the things she needed when she’s began her faculty position because I knew I was starting a very similar line of research and I really wanted to see what what made her feel successful in her role, but it may not be your advisor. I definitely recommend having other you know, trusted colleagues in your department, maybe not in your department, outside of your department outside of your university that you know, you’ve built relationships with, you know, you’ve done similar work to them, what did they need to be successful in their roles as well? Because many of us who’ve gone through the same things just at different points of our lives. So that was really helpful to talk about, not only what you should ask for to make yourself feel successful, but also the types of questions you might ask during your interview process because not to, you know, feel too prepared in that way but to really feel like you are figuring out the things that are important to continuing your work. So I turned to my advisor, I turned to other faculty members, and then also other people who I know just went on the job market I talked to them kind of in detail about their process. Some were very kind and generous and sharing some of those application materials with me, but also just having that conversation is helpful about the types of things to highlight in my letter, the types of things to highlight in my negotiations and how to structure that to be, you know, a big proponent for yourself advocacy became a huge, uncomfortable but a really big part of shaping where I go next.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yeah, that’s great that you had such a great network to lean on. And if those that are listening, don’t have such a big network to lean on. And maybe you want only you’re the only person in your cohort and there aren’t other PhD candidates that are going through this. You can always lean on people that graduated from your program in the past to and and those faculty in the department will be happy to connect you with those people. Don’t be afraid to just reach out to people it’s kind of uncomfortable sometimes. Especially if you don’t know them very well. But I think in my own experience, people are usually very happy to talk and share their experience and yeah, it’s not giving you an unfair advantage in any way as sometimes people think that like cheating the system but no like this is what other people are doing. And you know, you want to feel prepared and make sure that ultimately at the end of the day, you have like you mentioned this whole contest the support that you need. And to get that you have to know what to ask for in these negotiations and what conversations to be having so you’re not cheating like do it reach out to people have this conversation?
Sara Collins
Absolutely. It’s hard to even if you’re asking others for materials or having these conversations, it’s so hard to feel like Oh, I’m cheating when there’s no one like you. There’s just your everybody is so individualized on the job market, even though I went on it with two of my peers. And we were applying for sometimes some of the same jobs yet talking about our application materials. There’s no way to change who you are. There’s we were all coming on with the same with different levels of expertise, different levels of interests. It’s very hard to change who you are, and by being yourself by showing what you’ve learned by showing what you have to offer. Even through a similar structure somebody’s written or by asking the same questions. This process these faculty members or mentors or search chairs will know if you are the person that they’re looking for based on your individual levels of research and expertise. So I think even it shouldn’t feel like cheating because of that.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yes, yes. I think I felt that way when I first started applying for jobs but like looking back on it now like No, no, no, I just don’t want other people to feel that way. It’s It’s really okay. And I think it’s expected they know that you’re you should be you know, getting help from your advisor and talking to other people. And all the advice that I was given and something that I feel like I’ve really learned throughout the negotiation process and I want to hear your thoughts on this too, is absolutely negotiate when you get that email or that phone call when they say here’s our package, that is the minimum package that they can offer you that is not the best package they can offer you or that is the beginning of the conversation. So that should be your starting point. And I remember being told just never when you are on that phone call and they’re giving you the package never just say yes. Don’t say yes, no, this is just the beginning of the conversation. Is that kind of how you felt and the advice that you were given as well?
Sara Collins
Yes, absolutely. And this is such a critical part of this period because it shifts this conversation. I feel like we have to adjust our way of thinking and our perspective because for the last five months we’ve just spent convincing these people that we are the ones they’re looking for. And of course, you know the the elements of the university play a role in it really needs to feel like a good fit for you. But once they make that offer, what all that I’ve been told is that you are in the driver’s driver’s seat now. They want you they’re not going to take back the offer because of what right because of the offer they made you was not to your liking or did not satisfy you and the way they wanted it to they won’t just say oh, sorry, it’s no longer yours. We’re gonna go give it to someone who we know with would have taken this know they’ve showed through these months of interviews and you know, studying your materials that you are the person they want for this position, so that you need to now understand, Okay, now that they want me, what do I really need to be successful? Because this is, you know, not just hey, sure, I’ll come and you know, volunteer for your lab. This is a job where you are getting paid a certain amount to live in a certain area, you are being given certain resources that are meant to help you with your teaching your research and somehow work towards tenure. So what is going to help you be as successful as possible and that is extremely uncomfortable to think about, because because, wow, I feel like I just spent so long convincing someone and now I have to tell them exactly what I want for them to take me what I really want this position. I just want to say guys, but oh my goodness, its leader in the long run your future self will thank you that, you know, I got some of the devices that I needed. I got the standardized testing that I needed. I now got the tables and the lab space that I needed. Because once you’re accepted, it’s fantastic to be somewhere where you worked so hard to be but just value yourself, advocate and value your what you bring to the table. Your services are extremely valuable. So what is it worth what is it going to take to make sure that you are able to still be successful because once you’re in that role, you could you now have these resources to use to make your life feel just a little bit easier because you have these as opposed to Gosh This job is just so wonderful. I loved the people really take that time to understand what is it that you’ll need to succeed in this position. So it’s extremely uncomfortable to tell someone no to to this great number and talking to your advisor talking to someone else and sharing these numbers with somebody else will really put that into perspective, I think.
Danika Pfeiffer
Absolutely. And I think mentors and others that have gone through it before it can help with how you word these things too because you want to show that you’re so grateful All right, but you also want to come on strong and say these are the things that I will need to be successful. So having that coaching and guidance on how to word that email or what to say on the phone I think was also helpful for me too. Absolutely. Okay, so after you got to a point where you are comfortable accepting the offer. What has communication look like? What happened next with you and the department since then?
Sara Collins
Yes. So this is something I really feel like I didn’t prepare for because we kind of talked about with mentors and everybody about you know what is what does this process look like leading up to it but then really, I have loved seeing what happens after. So after I accepted the offer, I did need to communicate with other jobs that I had applied for that. I had accepted an offer and that I you know regretfully did not continue to participate in either an interview process that it was in the middle of or you know, could not accept another offer that I was given. So that was kind of one of the first things that I did. I also you’ll receive a contract so you want to make sure that final contract does detail all of the things that you discuss in your negotiations. So that was something that the Dean was able to send to me and that I was able to sign back, which made it very official. You’ll talk about your start D and your benefits and kind of when all of that will begin. But I think the biggest thing that happened after I accepted my position is you transition back into this dissertation mode like I’m here for it. I’m actually here for this now that I have this faculty role set in stone, I have to finish this dissertation. This can be a very daunting task I know for several jobs on the market now and when I was on the market that they did offer to still give me the job even if that something happened with that dissertation. I know that can be sometimes a drawback to people is I don’t want to go on the job market. I don’t know if I’ll finish my dissertation in time. You’d be surprised there’s many, many positions that still offer the opportunity for you to start your work with them but perhaps at an instructor level versus a tenure track, Assistant Professor role. So but it was a huge motivator. So one, start at that salary that I negotiated so hard for to really kind of move forward and look to next steps especially as I you know, start teaching and balancing these things that I haven’t balanced so students at such a rigorous level. So I spent that time really going back into my dissertation, I finished my data collection and of course finished and completed my dissertation this week. And now it’s just that process of organizing where you’re going to live and communicating with others that Department of where you know how your lab space is being organized. That’s been a really interesting thing of what is being downloaded on the computers that are going to be available to me what where’s the equipment located with our the different meetings that are coming up and trainings, onboarding, things like that. So it definitely is not as difficult to balance you know, doing all of these after process things, but I think really just knowing Okay, I have to prepare myself for this transition. Where am I moving? What does that move going to look like? Is this acceptable to the department and when when I need to be on campus? I’m very fortunate that I don’t need to be on campus till the end of August but there are some that want you to start early. So really making sure that communication is consistent. But I will say you had mentioned communications What did that look like this department that I’m joining has just been nothing but supportive. In what do I need? How’s your dissertation going? really letting me choose class times and when when class times might occur and things like that. So that’s been really nice to you know, when you enter a faculty role, it’s the first time I’ve really felt like I have ownership over my own time my own decisions. So that has been a really nice thing to think about transitioning to as I’m finishing, you know, this dissertation process.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yeah. Oh, it sounds like you’re going to such a supportive place. Some really great colleagues. So that’s awesome to hear. They, what would you say? are you most looking forward to about this new position that you’re getting ready to start soon?
Sara Collins
I think I’m most looking forward to just it feels like a new slate. Like I’m starting a new chapter in my work when you finish your dissertation. It is such a triumph to be like I completed this really big project from start to finish and thinking about now you are kind of that deciding factor of where where am I going to submit this? How am I going to continue to work on this. So really, I talked about taking ownership over your time being able to learn how you’re going to set those are your own boundaries. And I think I’m really excited for that. I’m excited to see all of the things that I’ve learned in my doctoral program really put into action, like mentoring students and teaching how I’m going to continue my own projects. And then just of course building a life in a new city. I’ve been in Tallahassee about 10 years now. And this is just an exciting and new change. So and I feel happy about this decision that I made. So I think that is just kind of what you what I’ve worked towards. So it’s exciting. To feel that transition actually happening.
Danika Pfeiffer
Definitely you put all that hard work in and it’s paying off and now that you get to do the fun part. And there’s so much independence, you know, comes with that and that. That’s so exciting. Okay, so we’ve talked about a lot and thank you so much for sharing this process because I know it’d be really vulnerable to share all these details. But thinking about your whole process. What advice do you have for PhD students that are getting ready to go on the job market soon?
Sara Collins
Sure. So I feel like when we think about our own career, we think about what will advance our career the most, especially going into academia, you’ve decided that your work your life is best served kind of going into this role where you are still immersed in teaching and being able to do your research in a really organized way with other like minded colleagues. But I think going into it, I think there are a lot of jobs that look incredible on paper that we have been told about and they there’s such a wide range of opportunities. To consider that I do encourage others to consider more than maybe what you think feels really good for you. So for example, there’s jobs that are in research one universities research two universities or more teaching or liberal arts colleges. I really just encourage you to take in that those elements of support into consideration that as a student, it really isn’t just about finding where your work is successful, but where are you successful as a person who can you develop camaraderie with that work? Can you see your family feeling supported here? Can you feel yourself building relationships here at this new environment? Moving is scary and moving is different. And I think really putting into perspective that you can you can pursue a wide range of opportunities and you will find what is the best one for you to not let those details on paper really limit you into what you pursue.
Danika Pfeiffer
I love that. Thank you. I think that interview process can really help you figure that out. Right and as the if you don’t put yourself out there to these different opportunities, then you can’t explore them at all. So you might be right when you see it on paper that it’s not a good fit, but you can’t really know until you learn more about it through that interview process. So I love that advice of not counting yourself out or not taking that one off. The list just because of what you see.
Sara Collins
Absolutely just stay so true to what you want in life. You complete a PhD, a PhD does not complete you and you want yourself and your family to just thrive as you move forward into this next chapter. So it should be exciting and you never know what could make it the most exciting for you.
Danika Pfeiffer
All right, so as we close up here, I have a few rapid fire questions for you. And then they asked all my guests and the first one is what resource Could you not live without?
Sara Collins
The resource I could not live without is my Google Calendar. I book everything. I book, my writing, I book my dinner with friends and book, FaceTime dates with my friends I haven’t seen in you know with that we’re no longer here together here at Florida. State so I could never live without my Google Calendar.
Danika Pfeiffer
Yes, me too. I would agree. What is the defining moment in your academic journey?
Sara Collins
Gosh, honestly this week. This has been an ratable incredible week. All those of you who are listening right now who are completing a dissertation, the end is so so sweet. It is not I don’t think it’s anti-climactic just feels reflective. It feels empowering. And I I think really just being able to finish and have that conversation with your committee that like a colleague about all of them, you learned and where you’re going to take your work from here is such a pivotal part of your career.
Danika Pfeiffer
What is one thing on your professional bucket list?
Sara Collins
I would really love to develop a training grants that feels so nerdy, but professionally, I would love to be able to work with trading SLPs to specifically support them in a particular area to give them that like minded support to give them those resources that make them feel like they can take the time and decide I really valued my training grant here at Florida State. So to be able to write something like that and help others to succeed in a certain area is something I would love to do to support SLPs in the way that I felt supported.
Danika Pfeiffer
Awesome. Definitely so rewarding. And what was your favorite part about being a PhD candidate?
Sara Collins
Oh my goodness. My favorite part about being a peach. Getting to see where all of this work takes you. It’s honestly you know, I think back to all of the students development that I went through about coursework and picking projects and learning how to ask questions. When you become a candidate. That shift happens that wow, I am moving into a faculty position I am moving into my next steps and I can see that now. This is a real reality that myself is considering my friends or considering my family is considering so it’s a really cool thing to see what future u is going to look like. So that was my favorite part.
Danika Pfeiffer
And how can people connect with you or learn more about you and your research?
Sara Collins
Sure. So I am active on Twitter. My handle is Sarah underscore C underscore Collins and I will hopefully be developing more content as I move into my next role. So stay tuned for that but Twitter is probably the best way to connect to
Danika Pfeiffer
Thank you so much for your time and making time for this during this huge week in your life. So exciting. Congratulations again and I wish you all the best in starting your new position.
Sara Collins
Thank you Danika I really appreciative to be here today. So thank you.
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