Graduation Year: '93

address: 7575 East Indian Bend Road #2115
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

occupation: Adjunct Faculty, Philophy, Mesa Community College; PhD Candidate, University of Hawaii

Email address: juyi@yahoo.com

[this is rather stream-of-consciousness, feel free to edit as appropriate]

After graduating from Williams in 1993, I had planned to attend a public policy/JD program at Indiana University. But my final philosophy class, "Philsophy vs. Rhetoric" taught by visiting professor David Roochnik, left an indelible impression and made me realize that a "practical" career would never satisfy. So, I decided to research and apply to graduate programs. My philosophical interests include the ancient Greeks, Nietzsche, and Asian ways of thinking. The Williams professors I consulted struggled to come up with a program that would cater to my interests, so I found myself applying to graduate programs in philosophy, religion, and even comparative literature. I was warned by some at the time that, as a white male, I may find it difficult to find a job in race- and gender-obsessed academia. Despite such misgivings, ultimately I joined the philosophy department at the University of Hawaii, which is uniquely well-suited for those interested in comparative philosophy. At the time I was applying (1

My experience at the University of Hawaii has been mixed: the faculty and courses are outstanding, and the weather/beaches can't be beat, but the university (and state) has been struggling with severe financial problems. This made TAships/financial support difficult to come by. Ultimately everyone receives some support, but there is not enough to fully support everyone. Most students wind up paying for their MAs on their own (unless sponsored by the East-West Center), and then receive a 3-year TAship during the PhD. Recently the faculty announced that they will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of an upcoming series of philosophy texts toward graduate student support, which should improve the situation somewhat. While at UH I worked at the Center for Chinese Studies as Assistant Managing Editor for China Review International, a journal of scholarly book reviews dealing with China. Similar employment opportunities may be available for those awaiting TAships.

Now that I have cleared all program hurdles other than writing my dissertation, I am living in Scottsdale, AZ. I found a job with Mesa Community College teaching Philosophy 101 as Adjunct Faculty last year, although this semester I am not teaching in order to focus better on my dissertation. I have yet to confront the reality of full-time job hunting, and I live in a constant state of denial about the publish-or-perish climate of academia (which is mercifully absent from community colleges). For now I'm just focusing on writing my dissertation, and I'll let the chips fall where they may once that's over and done with.

I'd be happy to field any questions you might have--I realize this is probably lacking a number of significant details.