May 3, 2010

Surviving the transition from grad student to new faculty member

Carol Miles, director of Learning, Technologies and Teaching Support at Carleton University explains the challenges of starting a career as a new faculty member.

Career Corner 2009


Presenter: Carol Miles, director of Learning, Technologies and Teaching Support at Carleton University.

This is your boot camp (9:28)

0:00 - 3:10   Introduction
3:10 - 6:57   Don't forget your own research
6:57 - 9:28   Don't get bogged down
 

Advantages of being a new faculty member (8:31)

0:00 - 2:10   You're energetic
2:10 - 6:37   You are more technologically savvy
6:37 - 8:32   You're idealistic and reading a lot
 

Disadvantages of being a new faculty member (9:05)

0:00 - 3:06   You will be the focus of everyone's attention
3:06 - 7:24   Idealism only lasts for so long
7:24 - 9:05   Don't overwork yourself
 

Things you thought would change (9:43)

0:00 - 3:50   You have to remember about your research
3:50 - 5:30   Deadlines won't disappear
5:30 - 8:00   The loneliness stays
8:00 - 9:43   Impostor syndrome 


Your first day on campus (9:44)

0:00 - 3:46   Impostor syndrome (cont'd)
3:46 - 6:01   Dr. Who?
6:01 - 8:07   You'll still pull all-nighters
8:07 - 9:44   New job duties 


Strange things you'll discover (9:22)

0:00 - 2:03   You don't have a real boss
2:03 - 3:46   The path to tenure
3:46 - 9:22   You have no job description 


The harsh reality (9:40)


0:00 - 3:26   It's not about you
3:26 - 9:40   The odd things students do


Getting used to students' behaviour (9:49)

0:00 - 3:53   Not everyone wants an 'A'
3:53 - 5:35   The circle of arrogance
5:35 - 9:49   Developing a strategic plan


Tips when starting your teaching career (9:57)

0:00 - 4:02   Build time in for crisis
4:02 - 6:17   Absolute deadlines
6:17 - 9:57   The first week of classes


Maintaining professionalism (9:49)

0:00 - 3:10   Learning to say no
3:10 - 6:40   Everyone will be asking for your time
6:40 - 9:49   Deciding where your relationship with your students lands


Maintaining professionalism (cont'd) (8:17)

0:00 - 2:40   You are not your students' buddy
2:40 - 3:30   Use your teaching and learning centre
3:30 - 5:40   Never discuss faculty issues
5:40 - 9:43   Try and meet some colleagues and be realistic 

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Comments on this Article

lol - Dave's advice is sad but true.

Was anyone even in the audience? I think there were only 2 or 3 faulty hires in my field in all of Canada last year.

Posted by Dr.Doinglittle, May 19, 2010 12:43 PM

The transition from graduate student to new faculty member? That's easy: just publish a lot while doing 5+ years of minimum wage postdoctoral fellowships in labs all over the world!

Posted by Dave, May 18, 2010 11:10 AM

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