Influenced by friends studying the same subject, Nina first entered university to study physics. It is only two years later that Nina had a calling for linguistics. As she was taking a stroll down the streets of Moscow with her mom, Nina walked by Moscow State Linguistics University where she saw a crowd of students who inspired her to make the switch to linguistics. She finished her B.A. in linguistics and then moved to the United-States while working on her Ph.D. Linguistics is not all Nina is passionate about. Believe it or not, Nina is an avid ballroom dancer! Having danced most of her life, she took up ballroom dancing around the age of 19. Nina also loves to travel. Having travelled in Europe, the U.S., Canada and Asia, Nina dreams about going to Chilli one day. She admits that the country intrigues her with its unusual shape and beautiful mountains. Although she has the chance to return to Russia about twice a year, Nina admits she misses living back home a little. “What I miss the most is my family and my friends” she says with a slight look of nostalgia. Nevertheless, Nina seems very excited about living in Ottawa and says she cannot wait to explore Canada’s outdoors, especially if it is with her fellow linguists from the department. So, you might want to include her in your plans next time you go hiking, camping or skiing!

Being an assistant Prof. means saying goodbye to the student life and all the relaxed settings that it brings with it. If you think your life is hectic as a student, trust me getting an academic job does not make it any easier. Between dealing with students issues and joining different Faculty committees there is not much time to relax! But it is all worth it. And none of the above means that you shouldn’t start looking for a job "at the beginning" of your fourth year.That means becoming a member of job search engines and checking the sites regularly.

You don’t have to wait till the day after your PhD defense to start looking for a job! Also, try to have a wide range of options when looking for a job, from teaching ESL, to translation, industry, and of course your main field. You shouldn’t only be applying for a job that perfectly fits your profile. You can play around a bit, but not totally off the hook. Some departments appreciate a good resume which is a little different than what they exactly want. Try to have a couple of cover letters prepared for different jobs so that you can have them handy. Also, some jobs require a "Statement of Teaching" or "Teaching Philosophy". You can find sample letters on line. Presenting at conferences always adds to your credibility. Networking is a must especially in conferences. You should be visible around the years of graduation. For people who come from different cultures,  North America does not appreciate modesty! Try to sell yourself! It is fine to exaggerate your abilities a bit, have confidence and try to promote yourself as you would promote your best friend. That is expected of you.  And remember, you will never know, unless you try! We have a great selection of faculty in our department, especially with the hiring of new faculty, and they are all willing to help. I personally thank them all owe my success to them. And remember, you will never know, unless you try! Check out Anousha's website.