By Olivia Gacka, PhD Student
If you’re thinking about, dead set on, or unsure if you want a faculty job after you graduate, this is the tips column for you! While going the route of pursuing an academic faculty position is not your only option after graduate school, it is undoubtedly a popular one. But it’s a path that can easily feel overwhelming, like there are so many different elements to juggle that must line up for you to land a position. The good news is, as a UW–Madison graduate student, you have access to tons of resources specifically geared towards helping you prepare for, apply to, and land faculty positions. Here is a list of resources to check out:
- The Delta Program in the Graduate School: The Delta Program is a must for anyone looking to become not only a competitive candidate for faculty positions, but also someone with the ability to support a wide variety of students and to be the most effective mentor possible. Between their workshops, courses, internships, or certificate, Delta is a great place to check for ideas as you embark on your academic career professional development journey.
- National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD): UW–Madison students can make a free NCFDD account to access the NCFDD’s wide array of excellent online programming. Some upcoming highlights include a 14-Day Writing Challenge, a workshop on engaging in healthy conflict, and a webinar geared towards folks who want to work at small, liberal arts colleges.
- For Future Faculty: The For Future Faculty page provides a curated feed of upcoming in-person and virtual events geared towards students interested in a career in academia, as well as connections to other resources and advice.
- Beyond the Professoriate: While the name might suggest otherwise, Beyond the Professoriate is a great place to access even more specific help and resources for faculty careers. The website offers programs for STEM and Humanities and Social Sciences students, so you can be sure you’re getting advice that directly relates to your path and interests.
- The Writing Center: In addition to some fantastic online resources (like the UW–Madison Writer’s Handbook), the Writing Center offers a yearly workshop series called “On the Academic Job Market,” with workshops on everything from how to write diversity statements to writing an effective academic CV.
And don’t forget to keep checking in with us, the Office of Professional Development, for additional workshops and resources geared towards graduate students looking to pursue faculty careers. We have a workshop on Interviewing for Faculty Positions coming up on October 11!
Tips for Grads is a professional and academic advice column written by graduate students for graduate students at UW–Madison. It is published in the student newsletter, GradConnections Weekly.