some more thoughts after reading everyone's posts.......
i don't know if its the number of years of training (4 years of college, 4-6 or more of grad school, 1-10 years of postdoctoral positions depending on the field, possibly years in nontenure track teaching positions, 6 years of pretenure or more if you move before tenure or give it up to go to another school) or the relatively low pay (i know its all relative, but the pay does not correspond with the amount of education by a long shot. i always tell people, if i wanted to make a lot of money, i certainly wouldn't go into teaching), or the long hours (probably about 60 hours a week or more as a grad student or postdoc, and probably about 80 hours of week in a tenure track faculty position), and this might sound like "poor me" but its just listing the facts really, some of us are just crazy enough to enjoy this way of life......
but academia isn't "just a job" and i think its all those things combined that make not getting tenure feel like a real kick in the stomach, especially when the reasons appear very unfair and very political, not because one didn't do a good job, but because certain people (with power) decide they don't like you and don't want you around. the criteria can be vague enough that they can spin it however they like.
karen, i am truly sorry, and it really sucks.
if there is anything i can do to help..........
sue
