Finding the Right Institutional Fit for You 1.1 2008/02/25 13:15:55.602 US/Central 2008/02/25 13:22:23.642 US/Central Rice ADVANCE advance1@rice.edu Rice ADVANCE advance1@rice.edu Naveen Yadav naveen.yadav@rice.edu Culture Fit Instituition This document is a conversion of a handout that was used in the RICE ADVANCE NSF Workshop on October 23, 2007. This information was compiled by Mike Orchard (ELEC), Tom Killian (Physics), Sallie Keller-McNulty (Dean of Engineering), Karen Hirschi (Baylor), and Farinaz Koushanfar (ELEC).
How to (Safely) Find Out About the Culture of the Department and School
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.
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
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, facilitiesNot the same for every person Quality of lifeCost 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
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
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 separatelyAsk to meet with students, human resourcesAsk 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.