Winning that Academic Job Perspectives from a Seasoned

Winning that Academic Job (Perspectives from a Seasoned Professor) June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

The Academic Interview “An interview is to employment as dating is to marriage: an opportunity to make an impression and create a relationship that will lead to something more permanent. ” The Three most important things for an interview: • Prepare Have a list of Be ready for • Prepare questions ready all questions • Prepare Know about the faculty June 30, 2004 Understand your bargaining power Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

The Academic Interview Prepare your seminar carefully…it may be the most important presentation of your life q q q Most often used as a measure of your research and how good a teacher you will be (show enthusiasm) Do not get defensive during Q&A (some people like to test you by being purposely hostile) “I don’t know…. I’ll check into it and get back to you” is an Okay answer. Ask about • • • June 30, 2004 Teaching loads, travel money, lab space and start up packages Quality of graduate & undergraduate students Department’s health (through subtle Q&A) Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

Life as an Assistant Professor n What does a professor do all day (do I want this life? ) n Teaching (classroom and advising) n What do people think a professor does all day? June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

So, Professor, what do you do? committees write papers write proposals grovel for money committees advise students correct theses committees sit on exams committees June 30, 2004 “Teaching, Research, & Service” Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

and then there’s the tenure game … Write more papers Bring in more $$ Be a great teacher The Secret? You know the answer: Time Management June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

Teaching: Why most of us get into the professorship “A great teacher is one whose spirit enters the souls of his students” (John Milton) 1. In the Classroom 2. In the role of Advisor June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

What makes a great teacher? n n Most professors have never had a course in education Does good researcher = good teacher? Are good teachers born (and not made)? Characteristics of a good teacher: Stimulating, clear, organized, approachable, enthusiastic, helpful, fair 1. Intellectual excitement 2. Interpersonal rapport June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

The Public’s Perception: What do people think a Professor does? “Those who can, do …. those who cannot, teach. ” One example of public perception: Profscam, by Charles J. Sykes (journalist son of a professor) “…the direct and ultimate reason for the collapse of higher education in the United States: the selfish, wayward and corrupt American university professor. ” Caution: This material is presented only to open your eyes to what some sectors of the public believe. June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

Professor Crimes (Profscam) n n n Overpaid and underworked Have abandoned teaching responsibilities and students (unapproachable, uncommunicative, and unavailable) In pursuit of their own interests (research, academic politicking, cushy grants) they have left students in the care of an academic underclass Have created a culture in which bad teaching goes unnoticed and good teaching is penalized Of course, this Have perverted the system of academic publishing can’t happen here June 30, 2004 Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University

So why be a Professor? n n June 30, 2004 There are few careers as rewarding Be your own boss (choose your own 80 hour weeks) It is possible to “do” and “teach” simultaneously! You can make a difference Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University