r/Professors•
hissatmyfoes

any advice welcome (or pep talk)

Obvious throwaway account for professional reasons. I'm an early career historian (leaving it vague intentionally) in the US, and a dude in my early 30s, and for extra context I have high-functioning autism (which already makes teaching hard, despite my love for it). I have numerous publications and a book that came out. After six years of adjuncting, I got a non-TT instructor position a year ago which is renewed annually. I'm thankful for it of course, and enjoy my colleagues, the relative stability and chance to get funding for research. But as someone who was not even given an interview at this school after a TT position opened up that I applied for, I have been applying to every TT job that opens up around the country. I'm used to rejections...it's just part of the game. But every...single...one...of...these...schools has not even notified me that other candidates have been chosen. It stings. I only know vis-a-vis the Academic Jobs Wiki (which I realize is not 'official' but we all know it is legit).

I'm a bit..no very depressed. I'm only allowed to teach freshmen, none of whom are majors/most of whom resent me for being one of their "required classes." I do love my job, but I'm not making enough to afford even a decent apartment (my partner and I recently split so there goes half of the rent anyway). I'm wondering if I'm holding out too much hope that I'll "eventually find something" in my field.

I'm young-ish, have publications (and some coming out), but I also read this subreddit on a daily basis and share y'all's malaise and frustration over AI/rudeness from students/etc. I'm wondering if there's a point anymore. I should add that teaching has been hard considering

Posted Dec 4, 2025, 9:39 PM UTC

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