Ten tips toward tenure: Advice for the professional journey

Abstract

The day I received my letter of recommendation for tenure and promotion, I was surprised. Surprised, but not for the myriad reasons one might conjure. While I was fairly certain that the outcome would be positive, there was still that last bit of nagging doubt until I saw it in print.

When the letter arrived, naturally I felt relief; I felt happy. But there was another feeling that I hadn’t expected. I felt like I belonged; the kind of belonging that a child feels when they are invited to come and sit at the adults’ dinner table. I felt taller . . .