Promises, promises. . .

When my husband and I were preparing to make a move from NY to NC, myself leaving a great job in a large firm, the residency director more than assured us that the dean of the law school would help me in my job search, because the spouses happiness is important to the resident's happiness (and performance). the dean was helpful for the first few days, he sent me some links and a password to a website that has a new job posted every 3 months. Now, I can't even get him to return my phone calls, his secretary has pawned me off on a part time career counselor. I am really frustrated. Where is the support they promised? This is a difficult legal market to break into. has anyone had this happen?

[DCJenn]

The only recommendation I have to go and camp at his office.

Jenn

and I'm not surprised. We've had many stories over the years of 'promises'.

I see you're in Durham .... does that mean Duke? While I know psych is different, I'm amazed that they were remotely interested in the spouse. When my dh was researching surgery programs (eons ago), theirs was boasting (yes, boasting) a 150% divorce rate.

Good luck, but you're pretty much on your own. I would be concerned about pursuing it too much, lest the program director decide to take it out on your dh.

yep it means duke. The problem is not the residency director ( who is a TOTAL sweetheart), but the law school dean. I don't want to involve the psych residency dir. too much since she is so involved with the residents. Its just frustrating, especially since all the other spouses have found jobs already!

[Phoebe]

It happens for attendings, too! One of the administrators interviewing my husband told me he could get me a job here in my field of remote possibilities. It made a difference in our decision for DH to accept his current job. I was really excited about it, but I really doubted that it would pan out. I did follow through with the job contact he seemed pretty skeptical, but was willing to show me around. I was about to have a baby to I wasn't interested in pursuing a job anyway. The same guy also told a friend of ours that he could get her husband, an architect, a job. They also accepted the position. The promise was followed through because the architect got a job with the firm who was designing the new NICU. So it must have been written into the contract that they had to hire this new guy. As soon as the project was done, the firm let our friend, the architect go and it wasn't because he didn't do good work.

From our experience, even if they mean well, administrators would tell you anything they think you want to hear to get what they want. I don't put a lot of faith in stuff like that anymore.

However, another thing DH and I are realizing at least around here, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you keep speaking up to the law school dean, then maybe you will get what you are asking for. It can't hurt!

Jennifer

Hope things improve. Here's my two cents. Give the part-time career counselor a shot. S/he may have some good resources / tips. If s/he does, then you can take those tips back when you become the squeeky wheel with the dean - and perhaps ask the dean to use pull in a specific opening.

In the event the counselor isn't helpful, at least you will have that information when you get an audience with the dean. IMHO it would be embarrassing if the dean were to inquire whether or not you followed up on the avenues his secretary provided and you were to have to answer that you did not.

Is your former firm helping you?

I agree with Kevin -- follow up with the lead given to you by the Dean. I've found informational interviews helpful -- do you know anyone (or know anyone who knows someone) who works at a local firm? Is there a chapter of a state legal group there or a women in law group that meets regularly?

I'm just impressed they even made the promise! Uh...I guess that is saying I would prefer to be lied to than ignored?