Demosophia

Request for Help

[Note: I've set things up so that this post "rides" on top for awhile, so new posts will tuck in below it. Be sure to check beneath this post for new contributions.]

I've been wrestling with whether or not to make this plea openly on my blog, because I rarely use this medium to post personal items. But the fact is that I'm in something of a predicament, and need help. Although I have an affiliate fellowship at a university, it's essentially unpaid. The fellowship allows me the use of the university's research resources, but doesn't provide an income. Over the past few years I've been surviving as a junior partner in a research/consulting collaboration with a former member of the Coleman Commission. We've been operating as consultants for a law firm representing a number of State governments in "Educational Adequacy" cases. These are lawsuits in which the relationship between school resources and student achievement is central. I have just been informed that we're out of work for the foreseeable future, so the end of that gig has arrived. We've won nearly all our cases, but we've also probably frightened off new plaintiffs, basically putting ourselves out of work. The consulting work has been the well that's kept me solvent during the employment drought, and the fact that the hole is now dry places me in acute economic difficulty. Hence the decision to override my uncomfortable modesty.

Eventually I'd like to join at least a medium-tier "think tank," but those kinds of opportunities often take time to develop, and in the mean time I need to keep beans on the table and a roof over my head. I've considered becoming a gigolo as a last resort, but I'd need a whole new wardrobe and not many wealthy women are attracted to chubby intellectuals with a taste for "warehouse chic" interior design.

Anyway, my theory is that nothing happens unless you put yourself on the line, so here I am, open to whatever opportunities, advice, and support my readers may have to offer.

I have a very broad and eclectic background, and what I don't know I can usually pick up quickly. I began my academic career rather late in life, after a long period as an activist, and mostly as a result of what I've learned I no longer believe in that set of principles that animated my former progressive activism. I've burnt those bridges. So, possibly because of my ideological or chronological "maturity," I'm not particularly competitive for a University position. Nonetheless I've pretty much always been an "A" student, and have picked up expertise in a number of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in the public policy arena. I even have some experience in Operations Research, but my primary background has been devoted to using large databases to conduct statistical analyses of various kinds, mostly multivariate regression. I have also developed what I think are good political instincts, as a result of working with one of the best political minds: Seymour Martin Lipset. Most of my work with Marty involved constructing and/or analyzing opinion polls and surveys. One of my long term goals is to employ these skills and methods in the "war on terror," and to that end I've begun learning Arabic.

At this point I'm not choosey about the status aspect of employment. Although I have a doctorate I'm not above doing more junior, basic or temporary work until a permanent position becomes available, or until I prove myself in a new field or my career takes an unexpected turn. It isn't, after all, what one does that demonstrates one's value, but how one does it.

I'm also fairly good at cobbling together short term projects, so no project is too brief or small, as long as it requires some sort of qualitative or quantitative acumen that I can bring to bear. As I said, I have a very broad and eclectic background, and what I don't know I can usually pick up quickly.

My circumstances are not such that I will turn into a pumpkin immediately, but I also don't have a long grace period before I need to put something in the pipeline. I've been unable to save much, mostly due to an enormous debt incurred funding my over-education. Anyway, if the reader happens across some opportunity that might help me bridge the gap, or something more permanent, or would like more information or a C.V., send an email to: freewheeling-at-verizon-dot-net. In addition, I'm interested in good advice as well as words of kindness or support. You can even, if you feel so moved, click on one of my tip jars to leave a contribution.

Posted by Demosophist at August 31, 2004 01:21 PM | TrackBack