1. +
Two-body problem: Dual career
partners in student affairs
Carolyn Golz, Lake Forest College
Dr. Julie Payne-Kirchmeier, Northwestern
University
2. +
Why is it important to understand
challenges facing dual-career partners?
Limited research on dual-career partners in student affairs.
More research related to academic-career partners, but
research still lacking
36% of professorate = dual-career academic partners
(Schiebinger, Henderson, & Gilmartin, 2008)
Dual-career hiring has major implications for job searchers
Women are more likely than men to have an academic partner.
Career options for partners is important for faculty
Women actively refuse jobs if they do not see quality job
opportunities for their partners
3. +
Challenges facing dual career partners
Job searching
Whose job search takes priority?
Balancing a dual career job search
Strain of long-distance
Feelings of competition in the field
Irregular or on-call hours
Children
(Greer & Poe, 2005)
4. +
Challenges facing dual-career partners
Gay/lesbian partners face additional challenges
Workplace homophobia
Whether (and how) to acknowledge the relationship
How to characterize the relationship
How introduce one’s partner
How to deal with social events
(O’Ryan & McFarland, 2010)
5. +
Dual-Career Partners
Torry Brouillard-Bruce and Melany Crews (Univ. of the Pacific,
Univ. of California, Merced)
Peter Pereira and Nina Pereira (Texas State)
Tamara Yakabowski and Matt Birnbaum (Northern Colorado)
Carolyn Golz and Cliff Golz (Lake Forest, Loyola)
Julie Payne-Kirchmeier and Tony Kirchmeier (Northwestern)
Patty Martinez and Dino Martinez (NIU)
Brent Paterson and Janet Paterson (Illinois State)
6. +
Advice from Colleagues
Decide together to go into a job search – and ask the tough questions before
you start
Identify geographical locations that afford opportunities for “lagging” or “trailing”
partner
Discuss distance as an option
Be realistic about job opportunities in any area
Be honest about your “must haves” and your “absolutely nots”
There will be sacrificing - prepare yourself for impact on your relationship
Know policies and benefits
Open your mouth and ask – Negotiate!
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Implications for hiring managers
Helping candidates network with area schools can be
extremely helpful.
Consider a policy that supports hiring of partners within
institution. (check out Virginia Tech’s Dual Career Program as
on example)
Family friendly – what does that mean? What does it look like
in practice?
8. +
Implications for partnered professionals
conducting a search
Flexibility is key
Look for opportunities to expand your skills/ experience
Ask the tough questions of each other, and of institutions
Things to consider: commute, job opportunities in the area,
long-distance options, …
10. +
References
Greer, R. M., & Poe, R. E. (2005). Developmental aspects of dual-
career relationships: Reflections and issues. The College Student
Affairs Journal, 24(2), 162-168.
Kelly, B. T., Eberly, J. E., & Chomanics, L. (2012). Job searching in
student affairs: Understanding the impact on dual career couples’
relationships. Manuscript submitted for publication.
O’Ryan, L. W., & McFarland, W. P. (2010). A Phenomenological
exploration of the experiences of dual-career lesbian and gay
couples. Journal of Counseling & Development, 88, 71-79.
Schiebinger, L., Henderson, A. D., & Gilmartin, S. K. (2008) Dual
career academic couples: What universities need to know. Michelle
R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research Report. Stanford
University: Stanford, CA.