What do I need to do NOW to succeed in an academic career?

Terrence D. Hill, PhDAssistant Professor

Director of Graduate StudiesDepartment of Sociology

University of Miami

Preparing Future Faculty WorkshopNovember 8, 2008

QUICK ANSWER

o Dedicate yourself to:• Training• Research• Teaching• Networking

TRAINING

o Devote all course electives to:• Theory courses• Research methods courses (qualitative and quantitative)• Advanced statistics courses

o Attend:• All department colloquia• Professional conferences• Training seminars on and off campus

RESEARCH

o Present all research at national and regional conferences.

o Publish in top journals.• Lead- and sole-authored work = Independent scholarship• Publications = Power

o Apply for dissertation fellowships and research grants.

TEACHING

o Prepare core courses that all departments need. • Increases marketability• Reduces course prep load

SERVICE

o Volunteer for service opportunities.• Department committees • Job searches• Administrative tasks• Conferences• Journals

NETWORKS

1. Prestige of school and department

2. Prestige of network• Mentors and colleagues• On and off campus*

3. Actual accomplishments • Training• Research• Teaching • Service

REWARDS

o Hard work and sacrifice consistently result in:• More job opportunities• Better job opportunities• More money• Faster tenure trajectories• Less stress