Life on the Tenure Track: Lessons from the First Year

by James M. Lang

In this fast-paced and lively account, Jim Lang asks―and mostly answers―the questions that confront every new faculty member as well as those who dream of becoming new faculty Will my students like me? Will my teaching schedule allow me time to do research and write? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life in this profession? Is anyone awake in the backrow? Lang narrates the story of his first year on the tenure track with wit and wisdom, detailing his moments of confusion, frustration, and even elation―in the classroom, at his writing desk, during his office hours, in departmental meetings―as well as his insights into the lives and working conditions of faculty in higher education today. Engaging and accessible, Life on the Tenure Track will delight and enlighten faculty, graduate students, and administrators alike.

Genres: Academia, Nonfiction, Education, Teaching, Memoir

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2005

About the author

James M. Lang is a nonfiction author whose work focuses on education, literature, and religion. His most recent books are Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It (Basic Books, 2020), Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (Wiley, 2016), and Cheating Lessons: Learning from Academic Dishonesty (Harvard UP, 2013). He writes a monthly column for the Chronicle of Higher Education; his essays and reviews have appeared in Time, The Conversation, the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and more.

Reviews

[Sarah Lillo Kang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice counter-balance to James' Tenure Hacks text that I also reviewed (I read the two books back to back... can you tell I'm trying to be mentally prepared for my first year in a tenure track role?). Lang chronicles his first year of tenure-track in an English department within a teaching-oriented university context. I found his narrative style very readable and his stories, relatable. If you're expecting a book of tips, this isn't really the right book. Instead Lang details his own experiences and sort of leaves it up to the reader to decide what to take away.
I didn't mind that, though. I just appreciated the candor of this text and the detailed view it offers into someone else's experiences. I did find myself wondering at times how/if the current tenure-track situation, especially in "teaching-oriented" university contexts, is a different beast than it was in 2005. Seems that research is increasingly paramount in all roles.

[Tayler Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Choosing to view this as creative nonfiction I could justify a third star because this is, after all, an account from a lived experience from a narrator who, while having something in common with me, is VERY different from me. But two stars feels appropriate, if not generous, for a book in which the author cannot contain his arrogance at times. The two most bothersome parts for me were 1) his take on advising students and 2) missing a teaching presentation for someone in your department when you're on the hiring committee, then strongly advocating how good of a teacher the candidate you did see was. Crazy work. Missed the presentation for "family commitments" with no further explanation. I'm sure the non-hired person would have appreciated, for the sake of her career, having the whole committee there for her presentation. Geez ok maybe I will take away that second star.

[Jenn C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a grad school class.

I really enjoyed James Lang's take on his first year as a tenure track professor. There were definitely a few times I found myself surprised about his responsibilities and his take on the position he was in. It's a well-written book that breaks up the various aspects he had to get used to during his first year teaching. Adding in his own personal life and health experiences fleshed out the story and drove home the point that faculty aren't doing this in a bubble. There are things going on outside of campus that they need to tend to in addition to all of the responsibilities they have to their school, their field, and their students

[Jennifer Millspaugh Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty funny to me. His descriptions of teaching *gasp* three classes almost made my eyes permanently roll back in my head. But his depictions of student behavior were spot on, and it was nice to hear someone else talk about the drudgery of student discussions. All in all, I'd recommend it to any first year instructors or anyone considering entering the college teaching field.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest and thoughtfully written reflection of Lang's first year on the tenure track. Having just finished my second year at a private liberal arts college about the same size as Lang's, I found his observations about the challenges and anxieties facing new faculty members incredibly accurate and helpful in measuring my own experiences. Highly recommended.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a high school teacher, I've always envied college professors. I've always thought that they had it much easier than we did. I think that this book was a pretty clear refutation of that fiction. I also picked up some ideas/lessons that I can apply to my own life as both a classroom teacher and educator.

[Billy Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing account of Lang’s first year on the tenure clock. The insights are legion—even if my own experience differs as I gird myself for a similar maiden year on the faculty at my new institution.

[MB Shakespeare · Rating 3 out of 5]

About an English professor and his first year of tenure. Interesting with great resources.

[Niecie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by my major professor. Good information.

[T. Ryan Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short, easy-reading mix between a lightly comical journal of a young tenure-track academic and a behind-the-scenes glance at the tenure process at an American university. While Lang works in the English department, I found this book to be sufficiently short, amusing, and informative to be helpful for anyone pursuing a tenure-track job.

I read this book as part of a course I took in grad school called "The Professoriate," taught (at that time) by Prof. Bill McComas.

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Lang’s foray into popular nonfiction writing is largely a long personal essay with sprinkles of useful career advice for graduate students interested in the professoriate. Unfortunately, it is also sprinkled with self-aggrandizement and an inappropriate description of a female student that left a bad taste in my mouth which hasn’t come out.

Ignoring the professional advice, which is solid (but could be replicated by emailing a local professor and asking to meet for coffee), this book is wrought with the personal musings of a man that seems to be somewhat in love with himself. My language may be a bit hyperbolic, as he does foray into embarrassing personal issues (not that stomach issues are embarrassing, there’s just a lot of bathroom references). His use of language often reminded me of an angry teen, troubled with the extremely reasonable responsibilities of having to wake up at 6:00 AM on occasion, prepare for classes, write, etc.

Also, he describes a female student of his as “the type of girl I’d be in love with in college,” which is surprisingly inappropriate to say, let alone write down. The power dynamic between a 30 something male professor and a student, likely in her late teens/early 20’s is extremely unbalanced, especially when he is in direct control of her grades. Dr. Lang’s reference to her was a quick, but unfortunate glimpse into “one of the good ones,” as I’m sure he would be quick to describe himself. I wonder if he would make this kind of comment again, but unfortunately there is sufficient evidence to support that he at least objectified one female student and he likely has others. Is it a fireable offense? No, especially not now, 20 years and counting from the comment. It does, however, make me have pause as to if he’s a good person. Just don’t write it down, man. What are you doing? What do you gain from that?

Addition (post-epilogue): In the epilogue he waxes poetically about a woman’s appearance. She is a new professor at the college. So now, I can tell you exactly what two of his female colleagues look like but not one male colleague. Why is this the case?

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lang’s book is a welcome guide/companion for any early career (especially first-year) professor, regardless of discipline (I am fortunate to share the author’s field, English), for a number of reasons.

Lang writes honestly about the fears and anxieties—as well as the accomplishments and rewards—of being a first-year college professor. With refreshing candor, he discusses the challenges he faced with his students (both in an out of the classroom), navigating his way within the departmental hierarchy, finding his niche in his new private and professional home, endeavoring to balance his campus life (teaching, advising, service, engagement) with his home life (wife, two young children, personal illness), and developing a career plan, including a path to earning tenure and/or strategic job shifting.

Thankfully, he acknowledges that, although readers might share many of his experiences, certain contextual factors—such as the size and nature of his institution, his career goals, his pedagogy, his family life—make his situation unique…as will be true for his audience as well. Consequently, he offers abundant practical advice that can be modified as needed along with a brief but valuable list of resources for innovative and effective teaching. Highly recommended—you’ll be glad you read this hybrid memoir/handbook.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir of a first year of teaching on the tenure track at a liberal arts college was loaned to me by a colleague, and it was a quick, absorbing read. Encountering it in the winter break of my own first year on the tenure track was good timing. It provides a sense of perspective in what is a harrowing, isolating part of an academic's career. It's reassuring to hear that everyone screws up in big and little ways in their first year, that everyone fears that they can't handle it, and that, nonetheless, most people somehow survive the process. More importantly, Lang encapsulates why we do stick with it, and his love of teaching and struggles to connect with his students and find a functional relationship with them was the best part of the book for me, something that is sometimes lacking in the instructive materials that new faculty are deluged with.

I'll be recommending this book to my fellow new faculty members. I'm not sure it's the best read for people who are considering the career, because the most rational reaction might be to run screaming.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief recounting of the author's first year as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Assumption College in Worcester. Much of what Lang was surprised by (that he's not yet a great teacher; that there are political divisions within his department) might be of interest to someone who hasn't taught much. And there are a few good teaching tips to be gleaned from his account (if people are talking in class, don't stop what you're doing; just walk over and stand next to them while you continue to teach and they'll get the point that their behavior is becoming disruptive). But for someone who spent several years working in the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence at Northwestern, I expected a bit more. I was also turned off by Lang's occasionally arrogant tone, and often privileged attitude toward work.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the author is a professor of English, I think plenty of it is applicable to those of us in different fields. While those lecturing a science class may not think that the discussion-focused approach to teaching would work, it could in smaller classes. I especially agree that "lecturing" is always less-stressful than trying to get student involvement! While the "research" and "publication" cycles of a scientist are different than someone in the humanities, a book written by them would likely be unreadable.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lang's book is a humorous account of his first year on the tenure track at a small liberal arts college. Lang's best moments are his accounts of faculty politics and his struggle with Crohn's. However, the rest of the book struck me as somewhat arrogant. At one point, he calls the members of the English Club "dorks"--and not in a loving way. The reason for this kind of disparagement was beyond me, especially from someone who claims to find teaching important.

[Tristan Bridges · Rating 2 out of 5]

We were given this book for attending a training on the classroom management system at my university. It's a cute story of all the trials and tribulations of the first year of employment on the tenure track. I didn't take much valuable from it, but it's a cute read if you're in the middle of it (or on the other side). :)

[Andrew Ning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had seen this book before and yes I judged the book by its cover---it looked annoying. But it came up again as one of the only free eBooks offered by my local library that looked remotely interesting so I gave it a try.

I got a few nuggets from it, but it wasn't the most useful read. More entertaining than informative.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class, but I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read, and is probably something I will read again at some point. I really liked the way he wrote it, relying on memory, emails, notes, etc. It was very honest, and quite comprehensive. I could see myself giving my copy to friends and family who want to understand what academia is like.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some decent insight into life as a faculty member but it didn't really open up the thoughts of going through the first year as much as being an account of what happened. Less why and more what and how...

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent therapy for being a first-year tenure track Assistant professor. There were so many times I could completely relate to what everything I was reading. It made me laugh & it made me think.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fun read. lang addresses some of the issues i think we assume we'll face with new jobs and some issues that may not even occur to us with humor and candor.

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and insightful book about what the first year is like. It can be humorous or cathartic, or both.

[Michael Tallman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little read.

[Christine B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was recommended to me. Kind of interesting? But it was often hard to identify with the author and his decisions.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down. As a new faculty member, I could relate to some of his experiences and felt reassured that I am not alone.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of interesting anecdotes but really lacking in helpful advice.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for graduate students in the humanities.