by Bill L. » Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:32 pm
Hi Keith,
I referenced the book: "How to Get a Tenure Track Position at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution: Advice for those in the scientific fields", which is published by the Council on Undergraduate Research.
The answer seems to be: Leaving the bench might harm your candidacy, but it will depend on the institution. Some institutions will be concerned about whether you've been away from the bench too long, while others will appreciate your teaching experience.
But there is no general answer, and without knowing more about which liberal arts institutions you are considering applying to, it would be difficult to hazard an informed guess.
Perhaps it would be best to take a little straw poll of a small sample of institutions you'd like to work at one day. Pick five institutions, and
find a sciences faculty member, and ask them how they would view any candidate who left the bench for a year or two to engage in teaching at writing centers. Or, as many institutions list the CVs of faculty online, have a look and see if everybody in the department had a lock-step bench career path. If so, you have your answer, and can decide whether or not it's worth it to you to take on the teaching position.
Good luck,
Bill L. & Naledi S.