Marianne Green, M.A., Assistant Director
Bank of America Career Services Center, 401 Academy Street
Office Hours by appointment 
Phone: 831-1232

Gabriele Bauer, Ph.D., Assistant Director
Center for Teaching Effectiveness, 212 Gore Hall
Office Hours by appointment
Phone: 831-2914

Please use WebCT mail to communicate about course logistics with your instructors. We will try to reply to your e-mail messages within 24 hours.
 

This course has been designed for graduate students across disciplines who are pursuing future careers as faculty members at institutions of higher education. As professionals with complementary academic backgrounds and professional responsibilities at the University of Delaware, we have collaborated to design this course, and we are looking forward to teaching it as a team.  Each one of us will take the lead in a particular unit and serve as the primary contact person and resource for that unit.  We welcome your input and questions; they are essential to making this course personally meaningful and relevant to you. We look forward to working with you and learning from you. 
 

Course Description

This course entitled “Academic Job Search” constitutes part of the academic career development track of the Higher Education Teaching Certification (HETC) program.

Context

The academic job search is a complex process with multiple variables, some within your control (e.g., academic training, skills), some out of your control (e.g., state of the job market, employer needs, conditions within your discipline).  This course will focus on those aspects that remain within your control—presentation of self, academic work, research and practice so that you will be successful in securing a position in your field.

This course will prepare you for the academic job search by introducing you to major aspects and resources.  You will enhance your knowledge of the academic job search by researching the diverse institutions to apply to and the diverse nature of faculty positions.  You will interview faculty to develop a deeper understanding of the search process in your discipline.  You will develop job application materials, such as a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement and / or research statement, and participate in a mock interview.  The course will help you refine both your application documents and interviewing skills via constructive feedback, and also enhance your confidence. In addition, the course will introduce you to post-doc appointments, non-faculty positions, and other career options and help you transfer your academic expertise, training and skills to non-academic settings.

The course consists of three units, each pertaining to a different aspect of the academic job search.

Unit 1:      What documentation is needed for the academic job search?
Unit 2:      How do I prepare for the academic job search process? How do I conduct myself during the academic job search?
Unit 3:      What are do’s and don’ts of job searching? What are requirements for post-doc positions? What are viable alternatives to academic positions?

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• Utilize your graduate studies to transition into an academic career.  
• Prepare for the academic job search process.
  -- Apply your research skills to the academic context and conventions of your discipline.
  -- Develop and refine job application documents, such as a curriculum vitae, a teaching statement and / or research statement.
  -- Refine your interviewing and academic presentation skills.
• Address conceptions about academic careers.
• Consider alternatives to the academic workplace, as appropriate.
• Reflect on your personal academic career goals and values to make meaningful professional choice.

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Many of you will be taking the various content areas of the HETC program at the same time, thus forming a learning community. As a member of this learning community you will engage in informed conversation and reflections regarding higher education with the same cohort of peers, continue to learn from each other, and provide support and resources to each other. The online discussions facilitate this continued conversation and reflection.

Instructional methods utilized in the course (both online and in-class):

• Small group work and discussion.
• Class discussion.
• Individual readings, writing, and reflection.
• Guest faculty. 
  

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• January 8, 2008:       Seminar 1
  
• January 15, 2008:     Seminar 2
  
• January 22, 2008:     Seminar 3
  
• January 29, 2008:     Seminar 4
  
• February 5, 2008:     Seminar 5
  

• Thursday, January 10, 2008: Seminar 1
  
• Thursday, January 17, 2008: Seminar 2
  
• Thursday, January 24, 2008: Seminar 3
• Thursday, January 31, 2008: Seminar 4
  
• Thursday, February 7, 2008: Seminar 5
  

University Guidelines for Responsible Computing to assure appropriate use of computing resources.

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• Attend and actively participate in seminar activities. You need to attend all seminars. Inform the instructors in advance of absences.
• Complete core readings prior to each seminar. You need to keep up with the readings as they form the basis for assignments and seminars.
• Contribute meaningfully to online discussions.
  
• Complete the application assignments at a satisfactory level, incorporate constructive feedback, and submit on time.
• Participate fully in the evaluation of the entire seminar. Your constructive feedback is essential in enhancing this course.

• Core readings support the seminar activities and prepare you for the assignments. Please complete required readings prior to each seminar.
• Supplementary readings build upon the core readings and provide additional explanations, examples and illustrations.
  
• Online discussions allow you to synthesize, evaluate and think back on the readings, particularly as they pertain to your job search preparation in the discipline. 
• Refer to "Assignments" or calendar for assignment descriptions and to keep track of your work.

You are responsible for understanding and acting according to the University of Delaware's policy concerning ethical academic conduct. You are expected to be honest and forthright in all of your academic work. Attempts to falsify or plagiarize will be treated in accordance with University policy.

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Last Updated: January 3, 2008