So, I'm going to write a resume. This is something I haven't needed since 1995, so it'll take a little doing. Of course, the fact that I've had the same full time job since 1995 will actually make my resume kind of simple, I think.
The college's final proposal has been made public. Their plan is to give us a $1,700/yr raise, but more than wipe it out by doing two things: first, they would remove existing pay for certain things we already do, and second, they want to change the way we pay for our healthcare.
We currently pay a percentage of salary. This means that the lower your salary is, the less you pay for healthcare --a good way to attract new faculty and keep their healthcare costs low, while their salaries are still entry-level and they have young children. Those of us who have been here a while and climbed the salary schedule pay more. In a sense, senior faculty subsidize healthcare for newer faculty. And we actually like doing it.
The college wants to change to a system where we will pay a percentage of premium. Unfortunately, the way they want to implement this means that newer faculty with young families will get hit with the highest increases. Our negotiating team has been fighting this by proposing other ways to apply the increase in cost. Absolutely not going to happen, according to the BoT.
Between their proposed changes in working conditions (taking away pay for things we currently do, which is a pay cut but they don't have to call it that), and the increased amount we'd pay for healthcare, my salary would be cut by about $3,000 a year. This decrease is including the pay increase they're proposing. Because Rob and I both teach at the college and have comparable salaries, his salary would be cut by the same amount. That's a $6,000 cut in income for us, but no change in job responsibilities.
So, I'm looking to supplement the money they're cutting, and the easiest way to do that is by teaching online at some of the for-profit colleges. I don't like them, but I also can't afford a pay cut. Luckily, along with my Ph.D., I also have a Master of Online Teaching Certificate from The University of Illinois. I earned the certificate while teaching at the college, taking online classes each semester. I did that because I actually liked the classes, and love teaching online, but now I'm really grateful that I ended up with an official certificate for that work. I imagine it will be quite helpful on my resume.
So, here's a question: on my resume, do I use my full name (Cassiopeia) or just Cassi? Cassi seems kind of barbie-ish, but Cassiopeia seems kind of weird.
I'm sorry about the drastic pay cut. That's awful.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is that Cassi does not seem Barbie-ish at all. Cassiopeia seems elegant. I recommend that you try to get someone knowledgeable in your field to look over your resume before it goes public. It's amazing how easily those typos and other mistakes creep in.
I just gasped when I read your last paragraph. I am so sorry about the pay cut. That's just terrible. Pete works for a university too and they haven't had a raise in four years, plus healthcare costs have gone up, so we've had a similar, albeit slightly less drastic, financial issue.
ReplyDeleteCassiopeia is AWESOME. In fact, I told Pete your name and he said the same thing.
So, as for what to do, I'd suggest a compromise of the two options: At the top, where you put your name, go with Cassiopeia "Cassi" [last name]. That way, you have your AWESOME first name on there, but interviewers also know to call you Cassi.
Ugh. I just reread my comment. The first sentence of the first paragraph was supposed to start off at the second paragraph.
ReplyDeleteThere really should be a way to edit comments, huh? I hate it when I catch a typo after submitting.
ReplyDeleteI like your name suggestion Jen --I'll definitely go with that.
That sucks about the wages there--same story in my neck of the woods, too. Totally frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI adore your name. How cool!
Good luck in your hunt.
Jen's got a great idea on the name.
ReplyDeleteIf only the government would just cut taxes more we wouldn't be having these pay cuts, right?