After three amazing years as a mechanical engineering professor at Temple University, I’m excited to announce that I’ve accepted a new faculty position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas! This is an amazing opportunity to expand on what I’ve been doing at Temple, and a chance to live in a dream location for my family!
The Exciting Details
It’s a big promotion. I’ll be moving up from the mechanical engineering department to working as a professor at the college level. My mission: help students get set up for success in their academic and professional careers. I’ll be looking at everything from introductory courses in engineering and math to professional development.
The Bittersweet Part
I’ve opened every course that I teach at Temple University with the same truthful statement: “This is my dream job.” I mean it. The students here are amazing people and the connection I feel to them runs deep. I found my calling in this place, as I helped others find theirs. I’m humbled by the experience and thankful for this time I’ve had.
If this is the dream, why move on? Two aspects of this new opportunity make it worth the short-term difficulties associated with moving on from the good thing I have going here.
First, it’s a chance to expand the impact I might make in this world. I’ll still be doing the dream parts of my job, but in a fresh place with new nuances to explore.
Second, I’ll get to keep the dream job while adding something new: the dream living location. Everything about Las Vegas make my family’s hearts sing: the climate, the ease of travel, cost of living, lifestyle… and yes, the amazing rock climbing! As someone who hopes to show the world what it looks like to be successful both professionally and personally, I know this is an important move for us to make.
The Advice I’m Following:
Seth Godin wrote a great book called The Dip. It’s all about when to stick with something and when move on. He puts an incredibly positive spin on a word that usually has a negative connotation: quitting.
“The time to look for a new job is when you don’t need one. The time to switch jobs is before it feels comfortable. Go. Switch. Challenge yourself; get yourself a raise and a promotion. You owe it to your career and your skills… If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”
Seth Godin, The Dip
Closing
This is huge. I mean really big. It’s going to take a while to unpack it. Keep an eye out for lots of followup. This is just the announcement.
I realize that this is going to affect some people directly. If you’re on that list, I want you to know that my biggest priority in this time of transition is to make sure you’re well taken care of. And if you’re someone that I’m about to meet and work with at UNLV, I hope you know just how thrilled I am to see you soon!
