The Academic Zodiac

Today's issue of the Chronicle includes a hilarious take on the odd fortunes of academic life. Although I have yet to officially go on the "job market" it's becoming painfully clear that luck has more to do with these things than merit. This is not to say that idiots and morons are what the pool is made of. Hardly. But that most (if not all) folks with a Ph.D. have proven that they're incredibly smart and that they can be disciplined enough to become academics. So the article suggests that given the emphasis on 'luck' we might as well bypass the career services office and, instead, look to astrology. Not sure why one would go to the zodiac if 'luck' is what we're talking about but I'm not here to overanalyze - at least not this time ;-). Here's my academic-career-scope;if you'd like to see yours click on the title link of this post:

Capricorn: (December 23-January 20) You are a bundle of contradictions: ambitious and aggressive, but also cautious and reserved. You have intellectual talents within a somewhat narrow range. You are good at accumulating small details and identifying patterns that fit established theories. You are sometimes insensitive to the feelings of others. You want a place at the top, and you are willing to delay gratification for years and years, focusing on the future when countless opportunities will be available to you. Sometimes you are overly credulous. You place great value on being connected to high-status institutions. You should obviously continue your studies in English or history, fields that will soon have many openings. If that doesn't work out, consider one of many alternative careers as a famous screenwriter, highly paid management consultant, medical-test subject, or personal assistant to Stanley Fish. (Thomas H. Benton, The Chronicle, March 3, 2008).