Pursuing an Educational Career? Part Two

I am one step closer to my known yet previously unacknowledged goal of pursuing an educational career.  Every time I think about it, I get all tingly inside.

The University of Guelph has a campus in Kemptville - not far from where one of my former high school friends now lives.  The key areas of study are agriculture, equestrian, and nutrition (which goes with agriculture).  They took out a large ad in our free local paper.  The free local paper that I usually take and toss into the recycling bin the minute it comes into the house.  Instead of tossing it 9 or 10 days ago, I flipped through it.  I can't remember the motivation.  Possibly, I was looking for something to do with the kids for Canada Day, even though I knew we were doing the local Barrhaven activities at Clark Field.  Anyway, there it was.  U of Guelph was looking for a lecturer who could cover business management and marketing.  The successful candidate needs to have an MBA.

I had school two days later and mentioned the opportunity to the one person I knew would be excited for me.  And she was.  And I was grateful.

Then...  The director of the Ottawa EMBA program came in.  He is also my respected accounting professor.  I asked him if he would be a reference for me.  His response was an overwhelming "yes"!  When I mentioned that you needed to have an MBA, he said that I had "an almost completed MBA" which really changes the focus, doesn't it?  (It's also like how my focus has changed from "10 months into it" to "6 months left"...)

I then asked two other professors (my HR prof and my Marketing prof) to be references and they both agreed.  Much like my experience while in the HR class, my HR prof was quick to respond with encouragement and excitement for me.  The Marketing prof wasn't quite as enthusiastic, but he'll be a reference, too.

Then, I contacted my Queen's career coach.  I need to understand what the difference was between a "letter of interest" and a cover letter.  It turns out that they are the same.  She kindly offered to review my application before I sent it in.  Well, she said I "nailed it" and to let her know when my interview will be taking place.  That added to my confidence and I emailed my application to UofG.

The level of support I was getting from Queen's was incredible.

Now I wait.

And I wait.

I guess the HR person doesn't work weekends.

They want the successful candidate to start August 16th for a 9-month contract.  I think they'll be moving quickly since that is only 5 weeks away.