Surveying the (un)known prospect

I’ve been in my Research Associate position for 6 months now. From where I stand, things are looking rather different compared to a year ago. Although I can’t see very far ahead at the moment – fixed term contract and all that – I can see farther into the landscape of educational research. The path in the photo was taken recently when Oscar, my cocker spaniel and I, were out for a morning walk. I was mulling over my probation period and noticed how things were now different, as in, more distinct. I had a rather hazy impression of what was involved in the work of educational research when I started. I really only had my PhD experience to base my expectations on. I knew what I knew and also knew that there was a lot I didn’t know. But what I didn’t know…I didn’t know. Before I go too far down a path trod by a certain Mr Rumsfeld, let’s just say I started off in the vast territory of the unknown unknowns; now I am more in the neighbourhood of known unknowns.
So what has changed? I mentioned in an earlier post, the benefits of being in the building with other academics. Over the last few weeks, I have been involved in events that have given me more insights about what might lie on the path ahead. Inaugural lectures, presentations for appointments of professors and lecturers and the vagaries of tracking down some Departmental noticeboards were all mysteries a short while ago.
On that last one…I had a big research-focused event to organise and enjoyed the support of many colleagues across the campus. Their expertise meant I didn’t have to cook, wait, design or shift furniture. This is a great difference from my days as a secondary school teacher where I was required daily to show expertise in realms beyond my ken. So I got great help but, in attempting to locate the essential noticeboards for a display of lovely posters designed and printed for us, I was somewhat lost. No map you see. That was the problem. Not a geographical map of where they might be – it was suggested they were weren’t stored in their usual place – but a map of who might know. The phone calls and email trail took me down some dead ends but also gave me a new view of the university and its structure.
And so it was with the appointment process for new staff and the requirements that lie ahead of me on this path. As with the path in the photo, my prospect of my new career changes, with the journey and with time. A rainy spell means that the cracks will go, the path will solidify…and Oscar will get muddy paws.