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How to Find the Right Institutional Fit

Module by: Susan Cates

Workshop Authors: Mike Orchard (Rice-ELEC), Tom Killian (Rice-Physics), Sallie Keller-McNulty (Rice-Dean of Engineering), Karen Hirschi (Baylor), and Farinaz Koushanfar (Rice-ELEC)

Slide 1: Welcome and introduction (Tom Killian)

  • Think hard about finding what is right for you.
    • What is important for you?
    • Most applicants – go into the process without spending enough time at this.
  • Be proactive and find the information you need.
  • Application and interview process can teach you much about your field and yourself.
  • Be honest and up front about your goals and interests.

Slide 2: What are your options? (Sallie Keller-McNulty)

  • Research institution vs teaching institution vs government lab – and overlap between them
  • Post doc vs permanent position
  • First job vs last job point of view

Slide 3: What should you consider when looking for the right institutional fit? (Mike Orchard)

  • Think about what makes you productive…what do you need?
    • Collaborative, resources, facilities
    • Not the same for every person
  • Quality of life
    • Cost of living, weather, other interests
  • Expectations of you and institution
  • Teaching load, junior leave
  • During the interview process, the institution is trying to make its best impression…it won’t get better than this.
  • Support for new faculty
  • Joint academic appointments
  • Space available
  • Senior colleagues
  • Future directions of the department
  • Quality of the graduate students
  • Quality of the undergraduate students
  • Support of senior administration

Slide 4: What resources do you have for learning about institutions and options? (Karen Hirschi)

  • Advisor – you can make it easy for him or her by providing good information on what you are considering
  • Networking
  • Junior faculty
  • Colleagues at other institutions

Slide 5: What will your strategy be? (Farinaz Koushanfar)

  • Various stages – pre application, application, interview, after offer
  • Be proactive, especially once you have an offer – it makes you look strong!
    • Ask to meet with women faculty separately
    • Ask to meet with students, human resources
    • Ask to sit in on a class or seminar – see what they show you.
  • Make your application appropriate for the institution
  • Networking, or at least making it look like you are in the network by making your application appropriate for the institution
  • During the offer phase, envision and negotiate for what will make you succeed…think broadly
  • Being engaged and asking hard detailed questions on every visit will let the committee know you are interested. This is a good thing.
  • Identify who is on your committee and who is not – junior faculty can provide good information on the choices you are faced with.

References

  1. Mike Orchard, Tom Killian, Sallie Keller-McNulty, Karen Hirschi, and Farinaz Koushanfar. (2006, October). Finding teh Right Institutional Fit: NSF Advance Workshop at Rice University. [http://www.advance.rice.edu/negotiatingtheidealfacultyposition/agenda.html].

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