At the 10th annual Preparing Future Faculty conference, job seekers gained valuable insight into faculty worklife, and were advised on what it takes to get an academic job at different types of institutions. Students interacted with faculty at comprehensive, liberal arts and community colleges, and major research institutions, and reported that these conversations broadened their knowledge of academic career options.
Several participants indicated that the conference met its goal of demystifying the job search and faculty career path. Four key points resonated with participants: (1) ask questions about the specific requirements for tenure at institutions to which they are applying, (2) recognize items in the job contract that may be open for negotiation (such as help finding employment for a spouse), (3) build and maintain professional relationships and research collaborations, both before and after the job offer, and (4) write daily and monitor time spent on different tasks to improve time management.
Faculty panelists discussed approaches for negotiating an academic job offer and conducting a dual career job search, provided guidance for starting and running an effective research agenda, shared strategies for navigating the tenure process and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and offered advice on obtaining and being productive in a postdoctoral position. Participants also attended sessions on academic interview preparation, how to develop an effective teaching philosophy statement and teaching demonstration and how to manage the challenges of the current job market.
The half-day PFF Conference was co-sponsored by Rackham Graduate School, The Career Center, International Center, and the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT). Materials from the conference will be available shortly at http://www.tiny.cc/1daypffmaterials.
About the Author
Karishma Collette, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Research on Learing and Teaching
Published in: Professional Development