It Wasn’t By Accident They Picked You

David John Frank, Professor and Chair of Sociology

It's natural to feel some trepidation (aka paranoia) during tenure review. Your colleagues are scrutinizing your record, after all. Your future's on the line. It might help to remember that your colleagues already made a collective decision about you. They hired you! They chose you from dozens or maybe hundreds of applicants because your record showed exceptional promise. You had an innovative dissertation, amazing letters, impressive publications, excellent teaching evaluations, and/or a surpassing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It wasn't by accident they picked you from the crowd. They weren't rolling the dice.

So when doubt comes creeping in - which it almost inevitably will - step back and take a moment to reflect. Your achievements got you this job. And chances are your achievements are more than enough to keep it.

By the way, I didn't get tenure my first time around. It stung, but I survived. And you'd survive, too. But you probably won't have to.