Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences

Catalog description

The course focuses on successful strategies for the academic job market and for launching an academic career. GEOSC 587 Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences (3) This seminar is designed for advanced doctoral students who are ready to launch their own search for an academic position. We will explore important elements of the transition into an academic career, including the application and interview process and strategies to establish teaching and research programs. During the semester students will: (a) learn about roles and responsibilities of faculty members in different educational settings (e.g., community colleges, four-year colleges, universities); (b) Design a teaching and research plan suitable for the next career stage and write teaching and research statements to summarize these plans; (c) Learn strategies for documenting their strengths and accomplishments in teaching and research; (d) Learn "the inside scope" about job searches including how to navigate the application process, interviews, and negotiation; (e) Learn how to give an effective job talk; (f) Discuss strategies for balancing the many demands and expectations they will face in an academic career. Finally, students will develop a self-inventory of preferred options for the next career stage and a personal action plan.