Engineers Make a World of Difference
Strategies for Obtaining Your First
Academic Position
Raenita Fenner, Ph.D.
WE16 Academic Track
STRATEGIES FOR OBTAINING
YOUR FIRST ACADEMIC POSITION
PART I: THE ACADEMIC APPLICATION
Raenita Fenner, Ph.D. Loyola University Maryland
AGENDA
� What are you looking for?
�Components of the Academic Application
�Cover Letter
�CV
� Letters of Reference
�Research Statement
� Teaching Statement
�What to emphasize in the application?
�What search committees are looking for?
�The Big Picture
�Recap
�Questions
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Think carefully about whether you would really go to a
place before you apply. Think through your personal
priorities and let them guide you.
What type of institution?
Research-1? Teaching? Combined research/teaching?
What geographic locations appeal to
you?
What are your strengths?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Institution
Type
Doctorate Granting
institution (R1)
Masters Colleges and
Universities
Predominately
Undergraduate
Institutions (PUI)
Teaching Load 1-2 courses/term 2-3 courses/term 3-4 courses/term
TA Support Grad students andpost-docs- graders, lab support
Grad students, maybeundergrads
Undergrads- graders, lab support, or none
Research Expectations(approx.)
Publications: Multiple each yearGrants: $500K – 1M
Publications: One a yearGrants: $100K-500K
Publications: 1 every 2-3 yearsGrants: Apply
Service Load 5% of time 10-15% of time 20% of time
Class size 20-40 students 15-30 students 5-30 students
Pedagogy Teacher-centered In between Student-centered, SoTL
Pay Higher In between Lower
Summer Expectations
Research! Varies Whatever I want
COMPONENTS OF THE ACADEMIC APPLICATION
COMPONENTS OF ACADEMIC APPLICATION
Application components
CV
Cover Letter
Teaching Statement
Research Statement
References
THE COVER LETTER
• Offers an opportunity to create interest in you• Summarizes your qualifications and interestsPurpose
• Relate back to faculty call language - Explain how you fulfil the criteria
• Why you are applying for the job?• Highlight significant achievements which demonstrate future
success as a faculty member
What to include?
• R1: Significant research achievements; show plans to be a successful researcher
• PUI: Teaching experience, Ability to mentor undergraduate students in many facets
How to tailor your letter
THE CV
• Well organized! • Error free!Essentials
• Education• Honors/Awards• Grants • Publications/ Invited Talks/Oral Presentations• Teaching Experience• Service Activities
What to include?
• R1: Lead with research• PUI: Lead with teaching
How to tailor your CV
TEACHING STATEMENT
Describe your Philosophy towards teaching.
Experiences that led to this perspective.
Try to answer the following:
Why do you teach?
What do you teach?
How do you teach?
How do measure effectiveness?
How do you manage diversity in classroom?
Discuss courses within the core curriculum that you could teach.
Use the language of the department
Propose new courses that might be developed in the future that you could teach.
RESEARCH STATEMENTStatement of the problem
Key unanswered questions in field
How will your work contribute?
Explain it such that the search committee members can relate
Describe future research plans
Usually one that is related to your prior work that is clearly feasible
One or two projects that demonstrate your ability to think beyond your current work
Provide potential funding sources
R1: You can be more detailed in your future research plans.
PUI: Be more general if you are applying to a department where no one is in your specialty area.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
KEY ELEMENT of application – choose wisely� Be ready to provide them with a draft or bullet list of points you would like them to mention in
their letter� Some departments will ask to call your references; Choose people who will be available during
the relevant time frame.
Number ranges from approximately 3-5� Some departments will ask you to provide the names, others will ask that you solicit the references
to send the letters.
Timing of the letters varies — some ask for the letters from the beginning, others later in the process
Who should you select?� R1: Government or industry sponsor of successful research project� PUI: Faculty who have supervised your teaching assistantships
WHAT TO EMPHASIZE IN THE APPLICATION?
How you fit the position? • What value you bring to
the institutionPublication record
Exciting research plan• Creative and innovative
while also feasible
Interesting and innovative teaching plans• Highlight your experiences
and capabilities
Other experiences• Grants, workshops,
awards, etc.
Brag about your successes
(within reason)!
Perception of excellence by wide
spectrum of reviewing faculty
Effective organization that clearly conveys:
• Strong accomplishments• Well-written and exciting
research plan
Great reference letters• Evidence of innovation,
creativity, hard work, etc.
Exciting vision/philosophy of teaching
• Teaching potential that matches need in the department
Research that integrates into the department
• May match already existing, may open new areas
What Are Search Committees Looking For?
WHERE TO LOOK FOR ACADEMIC JOB POSTINGS
1. Chronicle of Higher Education
2. Academic Keys
3. HERC – Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
4. Professional Society Career Boards (IEEE, ASME, ASEE, etc.)
5. SWE Women in Academia (WIA) LinkedIn Site
1. Read the call for applications carefully! It may contain keys to what they are looking for that you use in your cover letter.
2. Do your homework on the faculty and University� Use that information to craft your application
� The more you can use their language, the easier it will be for the committee to understand your potential
3. Submitting a few well-targeted and well-prepared applications to places you actually want to work, is far better than mass-mailing hundreds (or even dozens).
Bigger Picture
RECAPWhat Are You Looking For?
• What type of institution? • What parts of the country appeal to you?
Application components:
• CV• Cover Letter• Teaching Statement• Research Statement• References
What to Emphasize in the Application?
• How you fit the position? • Publication record• Exciting research plan• Interesting and innovative teaching plans• Other experiences: Grants, workshops, awards, etc.• Brag about your successes (within reason)!
What are search committees looking for?
• Perception of excellence by wide spectrum of reviewing faculty• Effective organization that clearly conveys:• Great reference letters• Exciting vision/philosophy of teaching• Research that integrates into the department
Bigger Picture
• Read the call for applications carefully
• Do your homework on the faculty and University
QUESTIONS?
STRATEGIES FOR OBTAINING
YOUR FIRST ACADEMIC POSITION
PART II: THE ACADEMIC INTERVIEW
Raenita Fenner, PhD. –Loyola University Maryland
AGENDA
� Components of the Academic Interview
�The Phone Interview
�On-Site Interview
�What Happens During the On-Site Visit?
�Asking Questions During the Interview
�Tips from a seasoned search committee member
�Recap/Questions
ACADEMIC INTERVIEW COMPONENTS
Two stages:
Phone –• Chance to make
a first impression beyond what is on paper
On-site –• The in-person
follow up to the phone interview at the University
PHONE INTERVIEW
� Take it seriously!
� Pay attention to tone of voice
� Chance to make a first impression
� Demonstrate that you have done your research
� Your level of interest and information is important
THE ONSITE INTERVIEW
• Lunches• Dinner
• Faculty• Students• Administration• HR
Teaching Presentation
Research Presentation
Meetings/
Interviews with
Social Interactions
TEACHING AND RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Research Presentation
R1: Detailed content, research funding plan
PUI: Generalize your work, how can
undergrads get involved
Teaching presentation (varies by institution)
R1: May or may not happen
PUI: Detailed, organized, and scripted
lecture
SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND MEETINGS
�One-on-one meetings with faculty, chair, dean and provost (varies by institution)� For these shorter meetings, an “elevator” speech that summarizes your work is important
� Have questions prepared based on your research of that person
� Will interact with a number of people� Short, intense period
� Prepare 0.5 - 1 min elevator speech about ‘what you do’
�ALWAYS BE “ON”!!! � Even in casual meal sessions, you are being evaluated and judged
� Do not “let down” at any time during the process
ON-SITE INTERVIEW PREPARATION
• Typically 2 daysInterview visits are a marathon event!
• Research faculty, department, university, geographic areaDo your homework!
Most important step in determining whether interview becomes an
offer
• Varies between institutions (full professors, entire department, role of dean/provost)
Allows you to interact with those who will make the
offer decision
ASKING QUESTIONS DURING THE INTERVIEW
� Carefully plan the questions to ask
� You don’t want to offend your hosts
� Be polite, calm, and friendly
� You DO want to get the information
� Be curious, not demanding
� Repeat questions, but only a few questions with everyone, to get an integrated view
� Be sure to ask the Chair and/or Dean, as appropriate all the questions that are most critical for you
TIPS FROM A SEASONED SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBER
Figure out the on-line application system and if you have questions call
HR, not the Search Chair or the Department
secretary
The phone interview is not just a formality. Be as prepared for it as you would be for the on-site
interview.
Answer the questions asked, not the ones you
want them to ask.
Have questions ready for the committee.
If you are applying to an institution where you will be required to teach –
your English skills will be assessed!!! Practice.
Research the search committee. Know what
they understand and what they may not to know how
to discuss your area of research.
Do your homework on the faculty and University
before hand!!!
CLOSING WORD OF WISDOM…
EVERYTHING can (should) be negotiated.
� Salary (base pay and summer salary).
� Lab space.
� Teaching load.
� Start-up package (amount and duration).
�Number of students.
� Service.
RECAP
�Components of the Academic Interview
�The Phone Interview
�On-Site Interview
�Tips from a seasoned search committee member
QUESTIONS? About the academic interview
REFERENCES
Rice University Advance - http://advance.rice.edu
Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty - Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Sternberg, R.J. (2013) “12 Bloopers to Avoid in Job Interviews” in The Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/article/Bloopers-to-Avoid-in-Job/137449
Cummings, L. (2013) “Applying for Faculty Positions: Preparation” Department of Mathematical Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Washington University of St. Louis – The Teaching Center� http://teachingcenter.wustl.edu/About/ProgramsforGraduateStudentsandPostdocs/resources/Pages
/Writing-a-Teaching-Philosophy-Statement.aspx