College professors, need some advice

[leftyclimber]

As I'm sure you all know, the WVU degree scandal is not, uh, making the uni look too good. While the independent panel didn't find cases of widespread wrongdoing WRT phony degrees, administration is starting to issue press releases saying that they are finding "erroneously awarded" Master's degrees in non-eMBA programs. So far no "erroneously awarded" Ph.D.s, and so far nothing "erroneous" out of my college. Some of the faculty think these reports are being issued as a deflection from the Bresch scandal/part of the Garrison-BOG CYA plan. Regardless of the source, the word is on the street, and I'm concerned that people are going to remember bogus degrees, not who said what.

I'm in a doctoral program at WVU, and am getting ready for comps in the fall. Lucky for me, I am neither wealthy or well-connected, so I am having to work for my degree.

So here's my question: If you were on a search committee and saw a freshly-minted Ph.D. from West Virginia University, would you consider them or would you chuck their CV on principle? (In other words, is it safe to stay here and go on the job market in a year or so? Transferring after completion of coursework is not exactly a piece of cake.)

I'm getting really worried that I've gone 60+ grand in the hole and won't be able to find a job after I graduate.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Respectfully,

lefty

[eppur_se_muova]

1. It's probably fine ...

If you're in an a field that's viewed as prone to political influence/opinion (say poli. sci. or sociology), that *might* hurt a little, but even then it's unlikely. You are going to be judged more on your individual accomplishments than the reputation of your school, particularly in the long run. You'll have to interview and give presentations, and those would expose a phony in a hurry. You'll probably find it makes no difference at all, since MBA's are awarded by the School of Business, and that kind of influence-peddling is probably confined to one School or even Dept., since it involves only a few individuals. If your advisor/mentor wasn't one of those involved, it will be assumed you are untainted. Be sure your letters of recommendation are all from the guiltless, natch. :)

(Oh, and PhD's often don't regard an MBA as a "real" degree, so they don't care much if someone stole one. It's a cultural thing. Expect comments like "Oh, you'd expect that in an MBA program, but not {our field}.)

If you can't find a job after you graduate, it will be the Bu**sh**-league economy that's responsible, not some tempest-in-a-teapot credentials scandal.:evilfrown:

[petronius]

2. I wouldn't worry about it - the quality of your LORs, your vita, and

your overall coursework will determine whether you are invited for an interview (not gossip/scandal about your alma mater).

Once you get an interview, it's decided by the quality of your presentation as well as the overall impression that you make on your future colleagues.

(all IME, of course...)

[MrCoffee]

3. It wouldn't hurt to bank one or two extra LOR's, just in case

but then, I'm paranoid about exactly this sort of thing by nature.

[petronius]

4. At the very least, make sure that all the LORs you request are actually sent

I've seen people removed from consideration due to an incomplete file, just because 1 or 2 letters didn't arrive...

[leftyclimber]

5. Thanks for the reassurance, all.

I know we're-all getting razzed at conferences right now, but I think we're all taking it harder than intended because we're so upset at the corruption in our administration. I don't think anyone really means anything by it.

WRT LORs, would it be a good idea to talk to some of the faculty from other universities whom I've worked with about throwing in a couple "bonus" LORs? (when I get to that point)

I've got the cart before the horse a little here, but I'm trying to decide how far I should extend my networking at conferences this summer. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot either way, because I really like this academia stuff.

Thanks again!

-lefty