I meant to reply to this when it was current. The listing posted today reminded me of it. With all due respect, Wim's response below is not accurate. Job advertisements were being posted year round, and there were lots of them. Yes, I am convinced the smaller number of CAUT job postings is directly related to the economy. States with tight budgets have hiring freezes. Even if they need a piano technician they can't hire one when that is the case. My former employer laid off employees in the music department, both staff and faculty, this past year. I don't think they'll lay off the piano technician, but they certainly won't be hiring the second position they know they need. I haven't heard whether U of Georgia hired a tech last year after their posting, but it wouldn't surprise me if they let that slide, considering the tight budgets. Also, I suspect that in this economic climate, it stands to reason that a CAUT who currently has a full time position would probably be more reluctant to give it up. There are also rumblings that a local private college will be closing its music department, which has been a benefit enjoyed by the local community for years. That was a substantial client for a local tech. Whether CAUT positions will diminish in the future will depend on the economy. Regardless, when these times hit and state legislatures restrict state employee pay raises across the board, it has a permanent effect on the future salary outlook because they tend not to "make up for it later" with increases. In this environment, it is easy for us to want to be "understanding" of the budget environment and accept lower starting salaries if these jobs do come open. But we must remember that, especially with state schools, once you agree to that starting salary, getting changes made later is exceptionally difficult, and the person who hired you might not be the one you're asking for a raise later. Some deans stick around for years. Some dean's offices are revolving doors. After one of our changes in the dean's office, the incoming dean didn't interview any of us until he'd doled out the salary increases (following 2 years of salary freeze). He gave me a meager one, but had he known the situation, he probably would have done better. Problem was, the paperwork was processed, and we had to wait a whole year to do anything else. Jeff Tanner ----- Original Message ----- From: wimblees at aol.com To: caut at ptg.org Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 12:32 AM Subject: Re: [CAUT] Job Outlook Evan I think you might be a couple of weeks early. Although there were a couple of openings, most of the college jobs didn't start advertising until mid May or later. As far as the number of CAUT positions diminishing, I don't think so. Some schools might reduce the funding, which will mean lower pay and smaller budgets, but I don't think too many schools are going to eliminate their music departments. The recession is hurting a lot of schools, but it will not last more than a year, after which it is predicted that there will be a long and strong recovery. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: Evan Bingham <evanspianotuning at gmail.com> To: caut at ptg.org Sent: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 3:07 pm Subject: [CAUT] Job Outlook About this time last year, I recall a healthy ten listings or so on the caut homepage of different job openings. I don't recall, however, any listings so far in 2009. Recession? Anyways, while I am not currently looking for a job, I still would like to know when a job opening is available. Are there any other places to find this type of job listing? Do you think CAUT jobs will diminish in the future? Evan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Can't afford a new spring wardrobe? Go shopping in your closet instead! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20090513/831a9502/attachment-0001.htm>
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