Job Interview Follow-up and Feedback Request
Today I was invited back to the BTC campus for a follow-up interview and tour. During the 90 mile drive to campus, I received a call from Cascadia Community College, where I had applied for a position with the same title. They asked me to do a phone interview on the 19th. The candidates who pass the phone interview will move on to committee interviews on the 23rd. Cascadia is only 15 miles from my home, so this threw a bit of a twist in my day.
When I arrived at BTC, I first met with Dr. Patricia McKeown, VP of instruction. She took me to meet with Thomas Eckert, Ed.D, President of the college, to discuss his vision of the future of distance learning at the college. I found that the three of us shared many of the same beliefs and interests. This is a college with no DL program, with students and faculty engaged and enthusiastic about the potential opportunities. The two people above this position in the administration are fully supportive of creative distance learning initiatives.
Patricia took me on a tour of campus and I saw amazing facilities in multiple technical disciplines. The instructors were excited to receive a visit from an administrator and had no problem stopping class for a minute to say hi and share what they were working on. I met with a few leaders in IT and Media Services as well as with Sharon Carpenter, the Dean of Professional and Technical Education. Sharon actually hired my current and previous bosses at BCC, before moving to BTC. I learned that 6 of her instructors attended my presentation at the Working Connections Institute and returned to campus saying my presentation was a highlight of the week-long institute. I met Jeff Curtis and got a demo of the teaching technology he’s currently using in his Diesel shop. Fun stuff!
Dr. McKeown advised me that one of the buildings on campus was being demolished to make room for a new library with a 3rd story area for instructional media with a 360 degree view of the mountains and the bay. This would eventually be home to the Director of Distance Learning. When we completed the tour, I was offered the position. I mentioned the call I received from Cascadia and that I had multiple things to consider, including how to transition from my current position. I am to call her Monday and let her know what I am thinking.
I will be doing a lot of thinking this weekend and would appreciate any adivce, stories, suggestions and feedback. Here are some bullet points, in case you’re interested in my thoughts:
- The biggest problem is that the position is 90 miles away. The commute is against traffic and will probably take 2 hours in the morning and an hour and a half in the evening. This is about an hour more per day than if I got a job in Seattle or Bellevue. My husband is fully supportive and willing to pick up the children, make dinner, etc.. BTC is willing to let me arrive at 9 instead of 8. We would probably move eventually, but it is not a good season to sell a house. Also, my daughter just started 1st grade and I hesitate to move her.
- While there are two jobs available in the area right now, it is a rare thing for director positions to become available, and the pool of candidates can be large.
- I currently work from home for grant projects that may be expiring. Funding has been extended many times, so I don’t know what the future holds. What I do now is a dream job to some people. I have the flexibility to work when I want and I get to be creative and avoid meetings and politics. I do find that I have to work in the middle of the night to get enough hours in, but I did just start the baby in daycare, which should eliminate some of the night work. I don’t have dental coverage or retirement, which would be a benefit in the new position.
- I feel this is a great opportunity for a career where I can really make a difference. It is a role with a lot of visibility. I would be responsible for making some big changes to the institution and the community, including providing access to rural populations. However, I need to decide if “career” is my ultimate goal right now. It would be a huge difference in my life and in the lives of my family members. I need to be wise and decide which is the right choice for everyone, without letting my ego get in the way.
- I need to decide what to do about the other position. Do I just let it go? I know BTC cannot wait for me to go through the entire screening process at Cascadia. They need someone in place.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
What does your heart tell you?
October 12th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
LOL! My heart says to ask other people to use their heads and give me advice. You know the area. Would the commute be an issue to you?
October 12th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
My two cents… there’s no reason you should be commuting to a distance learning job. If they can’t allow you at least some work from home flexibility, then it may not be the right place.
October 12th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Since it is a new position, they need someone to really be visible on campus. The person in the role will also work with the classroom technology to move some components online. It will also involve setting up some satellite locations and community outreach. They are willing to have some flexibility with my hours, within reason, understanding it is a State position. They have no DL program in place, so I imagine it will take a lot of PR work. They estimate 30% of their faculty are ready and excited to get started.
October 13th, 2007 at 5:45 am
Like Mark, I would think that there could be some ‘distance’ work in such a position - but since it is a ’start-up’ there will likely be a lot of time spent both at distance and on site. Certainly, over time, the opportunity for working at a distance will increase. Like Nancy, I also agree that you need to go with your heart - your instinct plays an important role in the usual decision-making process of weighing the pros and cons.
I think you ask yourself some good questions and at the end of the weekend, if you can’t really commit to the position (the job/work, the mission, the people and geographic environment, the unknowns, the good and the bad), then it probably isn’t a good match.
Though decisions are not easy, at least you have one to make - the power of that choice is really a good thing…and I know you’ll make the best one for you and your family! Be thinking about you!
October 13th, 2007 at 8:13 am
I commute 90 miles each way to my job as a teacher. I have been working at my school for over 5 years and I love it! The administration is super and the staff development is top notch. The commute isn’t always fun, but my family is supportive and their are some perks to not living where you work.
I’ve applied for jobs closer to home, but they never quite met my expectations. If possible, my suggestion is to do some site visits, if you’re allowed, and feel out the settings for yourself before committing to either position.
You have a lot of thinking to do. I’ve been there. Best of luck with your choice.
October 13th, 2007 at 8:16 am
Jen:
I agree with Mark, and I can understand your dilemma. If you are to do some work from home, or at a distance, I recommend that you set your schedule with them right up front. It will be very difficult to implement a distance schedule after you have been on campus every day. Work it into your schedule right away. Make a plan. I would recommend at least one day, say Wednesdays.
Call Cascadia and explain your situation. If they can’t budge, only you know what all the other variables are.
“A bird in the hand…..”
Good hunting….you will do well!
October 13th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
The commute IS a killer. The backup around Everett is not funny and bad weather can be an issue in the winter. I’d find a room to rent up in Bellingham and try and negotiate 3-4 days on campus and 1-2 from a distance. Have the “back up room” there for those long days when you have evening meetings, if that works with your daughter. If the job is a dream job, move north!
October 13th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I spend approximately 2 hours in the car each day I go to work and have been doing this for the last 16 years… My options for changing work are limited, it is the only TAFE in Perth that does aquaculture and my work place is really good. But with 2 kids (9 and 12) this is really hard work and fortunately I have managers that let me work from home one day a week.
Sorry but I would not recommend the travel, regardless of how good the job is, to anyone. The funny thing about life, and kids, is suddenly it speeds up and you start missing out.
October 13th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Nancy, I wouldn’t have to go through Everett. I live in Monroe. Yesterday, I took 9 up to Arlington and then cut over to 5. I didn’t hit any traffic!
October 13th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Sue, do you think you would feel differently if the commute were only for 6 months or so?
October 14th, 2007 at 11:36 am
If you do take this position and commute for the first year: Sit down with your partner and together review the calendar–what needs to be done when daily and weekly. List all child care tasks. Consider contingencies, like sickness and snow days from elementary school. Then and only then can he commit to taking over that job. (2) Take the baby out of day care and hire a housekeeper, someone to be there when the car pool brings the first grader home. Someone to be there if your husband can’t when it’s a snow day or child is ill or it’s a holiday. (3) Right now, locate a car pool for after school, ballet or kung fu or music or theatre or baseball or whatever one after school and weekend program the first grader is enrolling in. (4) Find out when parent teacher conferences are to be each semester. Find out when recitals, parent visit days, etc. are scheduled. Are you going to try to make each one? (5) If the first grader must go to an after school program, approach it as a wonderful way to make friends and a fun thing to do. Children take all their cues from us regarding events in their lives. (6) Give yourself at least nine months in the job before deciding to move. In the meantime, take the first grader with you at least once or twice, so she/he can see where you are when you are not with him/her. (7) When I commuted three days a week and stayed overnight, our two year old fell apart. My husband and I were too focused on work to pick up that she was being mistreated at her preschool. It’s a worst case scenario and every working/commuting mother’s nightmare, but it is important that you and your husband stay in touch with each other about your children’s behaviors. What is normal and what seems a flashing light? Take time every now and then to drop in unannounced at day care or school–your husband should do this, too. (8) If his job permits, spouse can bake with your first grader’s help for a school party or event, and he should certainly plan on signing up to be a helper one day, especially on a field trip. The children LOVE that a dad comes. After all, moms are always on the scene, but dads are really special visitors to the classroom. (9) Still have one night a week(end) that is for you and your spouse to go out, if just to have a cup of coffee and discuss the newspaper headlines or tell each other what book you are reading or go to a movie or go out with another couple. (10) If you haven’t already, develop a network of school mom friends, neighborhood friends, church friends, book club friends–your friends can save your life. Out of these networks come car pools, info about what is really going on at school, housekeepers or other domestic goddesses, info on what summer camps to sign up for, etc. Just remember it’s a give and take situation. And avoid those women who are going to be shocked that you are choosing a career over children–that’s how they will see it. That is not what you are doing. (11) Be sure you apprise your children’s teachers and caregivers what’s going on. In writing and orally in a quiet ten minute meeting (not at the beginning of the school day or during pickup after school). Share your concerns, ask for his or her advice (even if just to be nice), and tell them you are sure everyone will be fine. Be positive. This is a great new step for all of you. (12) Every fall with the beginning of school, children (all the way up to high school) revert to earlier, younger behaviors. Be patient and don’t assume you are responsible. It is a natural reaction to seek the safety of the old when plunged into the new.
You are taking quite a global view on this decision–family, self, career, commute, etc. If your mind is already buzzing with ideas on what you can do in this position, your decision is made. Now include your family on this adventure. Good luck. You’ll all be fine.
October 14th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Hi Jen!
Monroe!
Coming north that is not so bad. Like you said, 9 to Arlington then I-5.
The others have some good input too.
Regards,
Jeff