Duration Analysis

Some econometricians study "spell lengths".  For example, if you were unemployed for 6 months while another guy was unemployed for 12 months --- it is interesting to ask why your respective spells differed.  Was one of you more motivated to find a job? Did one of you just get lucky and stumble upon an employer who was hiring?

As I look at my own work history, I see the following spell lengths measured in years.

Columbia 3

Harvard  2

Columbia 2

Tufts 3

Stanford 1

Tufts 2

UCLA 8

USC 2

My USC tenure is right censored at 2 years because I still work there. The opportunity to teach in this thematic honors program next year makes me more likely to work there for several more years.