#ReferenceLetters for jobs are the biggest gate-keeper in #academia
My week was rough - I skipped applying to an interesting job that would have needed 3 references.
What is wrong with the system:
1. References create a system of life-long dependencies with supervisors
2. They exclude those who are shy about asking for favors
3. Referees have STRONG biases and they play out
4. switching fields is bad
@Odedrechavi wrote about abolishing - I fully agree!
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@helenajambor @Odedrechavi Not to mention most times when you need a letter from a head of department or some big boss you end up having to write the letter yourself, which makes it a pointless exercise... (not always, but it's scarily common)
