During the August 2010 PROMISE Summer Success Institute (SSI), Dr. Philip Rous, then Dean of UMBC’s College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (current Interim Provost and PI for the PROMISE AGEP), shared “secrets” behind applying for faculty positions.  Dr. Rous  provided information regarding how to prepare for the interview, what to expect during the interview, and expectations of the faculty interviewers.  Several of our PROMISE students are preparing for faculty interviews this semester.  To address some of the questions and concerns, we are posting some tips for you to consider.  This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a set of guidelines that you can use so that you have a level of preparation for your one or two days of  interviews.

1. RESEARCH THE SCHOOL
   1. Location
   2. Mission
   3. The kind of school (Carnegie classification, liberal arts, teaching, etc.)
   4. Sources of pride
2. RESEARCH THE DEPARTMENT
   1. Go through each faculty member’s webpage
   2. Know the department’s sources of pride, e.g., highlights such as new discoveries, grant funding, patents, national and international contributions to the field.
3. RESEARCH THE CLASSES THAT ARE TAUGHT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
   1. Consider 2-3 courses that already exist that you’d like to teach.  Look at both graduate and undergraduate offerings.
   2. How can you contribute to the curriculum? Think of something new that you’d like to introduce, e.g., a special topics course, a department-wide workgroup that will meet regularly to discuss multidisciplinary facets of your research area.
4. RESEARCH THE LABS
   1. Consider faculty members with whom you might collaborate.
   2. Look for potential opportunities to share equipment, lab space, and facilities.
   3. Look at centers and their facilities to see if there is a place for you to fit.
5. RESEARCH CAMPUS RESOURCES
   1. Sponsored programs and grants management
   2. University press as an outlet for your book
   3. Find connections on that campus that match the support systems that you have on your own campus, and let them know that you are going to be there for an interview (e.g. McNair advisor, SHPE advisor, AGEP director, LSAMP director, your advisor’s colleagues, WISE chapter, SWE chapter.)
6. EXAMINE YOUR RESEARCH AND TEACHING NEEDS
   1. How much space would you want for a lab?
   2. How many graduate assistants would you need to be successful? (Note:  Some schools don’t have a budget for assistantships, but the question may be raised.)
   3. How many TAs would you request?
   4. How much money would you need for start-up costs such as your office, your computer, or your lab? (NOTE:  This question usually comes up in a second interview or after an offer is made. However, you should have a general feel for the kinds of research that the department funds, and the research funding that the department’s faculty raise. You should also know what kinds of facilities your research requires.)
   5. Examine salary.  At public institutions, you may be able to find salary information online or in a “Budget” book in the library.  Know what is reasonable for your rank e.g., assistant professor in your discipline.  (NOTE:  Salary questions usually aren’t raised until a second interview or an offer.)
   6. Think about teaching load and summer salary, example: two courses, two years of summer salary.
7. ARRIVING:  The interview begins as soon as the department representative meets you at the train station, airport, hotel, or starting point.  Travel attire: Business casual.
8. MEALS:  You’ll likely have all of your meals with a faculty member, a group of faculty members, or a combination of faculty and administrators.
   1. Typical meals include dinner the night before your main interview day, breakfast the next morning (this may be on your own in your hotel), lunch with a group, and there may be an additional dinner with another group on the evening of your first full day.
   2. Know your body and how it reacts to certain foods. Be careful of messy foods like pasta with sauce, and foods that produce strong odors.  Don’t choose a very heavy meal.  Play it safe.  Consider refraining from ordering alcohol.  When others are drinking, choosing sparkling mineral waters like Perrier or San Pellegrino are usually safe choices.
9. SLEEP:  Get plenty of rest the night before your interview.  You will have a long day ahead and you will need to maintain your energy throughout the next day.
10. MEETINGS:  You will have several meetings throughout the day (attire: business.)  Be prepared to meet with the following, one-on-one or in groups:
    1. Professors (all ranks)
    2. Graduate students
    3. Administrators
    4. Affinity groups or other campus interests (e.g. ADVANCE, Director of an Engineering Research Center, PI of a collaborative multi-disciplinary project.)
11. THE TALK (and perhaps THE CLASS)
    1. Your talk will probably be an seminar that is open to the public.  The talk should highlight your research and your contributions to the field.  Faculty, students, and the campus community may be invited. Practice your talk in advance with people who will give you constructive criticism.
    2. You may be asked to teach a class.  Be familiar with your topic. Practice the lecture in advance.  Be sure to engage your students.
    3. It’s important to practice out loud and with others in an audience in advance of the big day.  You need to become used to the confident sound of your own voice as you discuss your research and teach your topic.
12. CONSIDER ESSENTIALS
    1. Remember to ask for restroom breaks when needed. Sometimes the schedule is so packed, that there aren’t any breaks.
    2. Have a water bottle available so that you can be refreshed throughout the day.
    3. Bring a few extra copies of your CV
    4. Bring a few copies of your recent papers. (NOTE: A file with your CV, recommendations, your teaching philosophy, and other materials are usually available to the search committee, but because of busy schedules, some of your interviewers may only have a chance to skim your file.  You can provide them with updates when you meet with them. )
13. AFTER THE INTERVIEW
    1. Write to your hosts to thank them for their time and hospitality.
    2. Remember the people who spent time with you and recall the highlights of your conversation.
    3. Follow up with your contacts on campus to give them feedback and let them know about your visit (e.g., AGEP, ADVANCE, LSAMP.)
14. BE PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS QUICKLY
    1. Examples:  Where else are you applying? How interested are you in our school compared to the other place to which you’re applying?
    2. You may be asked to send a proposal for your start-up costs (e.g., lab, computer, office, supplies.)
15. ENJOY YOUR VISIT
    1. Be friendly and engaging
    2. Conduct yourself as colleague.  Be confident, but respectful of boundaries.  Address the faculty as Dr. _____ or Professor __________ unless you’re told to do otherwise.  Refer to the faculty as Dr. _______ to the students.
    3. Have fun and be yourself.

These are some tips to consider.  Consult your advisor, faculty members, and friends who are on the faculty at other schools for any additions or modifications.  If you have friends who work at the institution, work in the area, or work at a similar institution, don’t forget to consult them. They are a valuable resource.  Good luck with your interviews!

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Resources for starting a lab and negotiating an offer: 

• Starting a lab  (Source: College of Life Sciences Postdoc Association)
• Resources for the Development of Early-Career Scientists, e.g., starting a lab, managing a group. (Source: HHMI)
• Start-up costs in American Research Universities (Source: Cornell University)
• Starting an academic lab (Source: AAAS – Science Careers)
• Negotiating the first offer (Source: Chronicle of Higher Education)
• Negotiating academic jobs in the social sciences (Source: Yale University)
• Academic job offers and negotiation (Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• More links for negotiating salary and position (Source: PhDs. org)

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This post may be copied, but please reference PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP.”

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The text content of this post was compiled and written by the staff of PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP and may not be copied without referencing the PROMISE organization, as “PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP”.

PROMISE AGEP Online Information by PROMISE: Maryland’s AGEP is licensed under aCreative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

March Madness is here! The DH students have their “insanity” countdowns, and the team is rallying for the big finish! There are defenses coming up within the next few weeks so we’re cheering everyone on!

There are no traditional “March Madness basketball tournament” brackets here. We’re not eliminating anyone, and we’re not counting anyone out.  Unlike the basketball tournaments, we’re not pitting teams against each other, and we don’t expect defeats.  Instead, we’re preparing each of you for victory! You’ve been practicing, working hard, training, and positioning yourselves to win.  Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you prepare for your respective championships:

1. You can do this! You’ve come too far to turn back now.
2. You’re brilliant. Have you been reading what you’ve written? Aren’t you impressed? Of course you have more to write, and more corrections are on the way. It isn’t perfect, but you’ll work to be sure that it’s accurate.  There is always room for improvement, even after the dissertation is bound and filed (even after you’ve published it in a journal), but take a couple of minutes to appreciate and celebrate what you’ve already achieved.
3. The lessons from this journey are becoming a scholar and writing a dissertation. You’ve learned about perseverance, persistence, and determination. To those characteristics, when you work with others along the way, you can also add connection, laughter, sharing, bonding, and friendship.  The DH blog has clear evidence of that connection: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-challenge-2012/

Here are your rooms/training facilities at UMBC (for DH participants from UMBC, UM College Park, UMB, or those who have had consultations with Dissertation Coach Dr. Carter-Veale.)

• Friday,  March  9, 2012  from 8:30 to 11:45 AM and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 318 (This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means that everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, March  10, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Commons 327
• Sunday, March  11, 2012 from 12 noon to 8:00 PM Commons 327

——————

• Friday, March 16, 2012 from  8:30 to 11:45 and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 331(This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means that everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM Math/Psy Room 102
• Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 12 noon to 8:00 PM  Math/Psy Room 103

——————

Thanks to the PROMISE team at UMBC and the UMBC Event staff for making arrangements for continuous operation of the Dissertation House. 

March Madness is here! The DH students have their “insanity” countdowns, and the team is rallying for the big finish! There are defenses coming up within the next few weeks so we’re cheering everyone on!

There are no traditional “March Madness basketball tournament” brackets here. We’re not eliminating anyone, and we’re not counting anyone out.  Unlike the basketball tournaments, we’re not pitting teams against each other, and we don’t expect defeats.  Instead, we’re preparing each of you for victory! You’ve been practicing, working hard, training, and positioning yourselves to win.  Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you prepare for your respective championships:

1. You can do this! You’ve come too far to turn back now.
2. You’re brilliant. Have you been reading what you’ve written? Aren’t you impressed? Of course you have more to write, and more corrections are on the way. It isn’t perfect, but you’ll work to be sure that it’s accurate.  There is always room for improvement, even after the dissertation is bound and filed (even after you’ve published it in a journal), but take a couple of minutes to appreciate and celebrate what you’ve already achieved.
3. The lessons from this journey are becoming a scholar and writing a dissertation. You’ve learned about perseverance, persistence, and determination. To those characteristics, when you work with others along the way, you can also add connection, laughter, sharing, bonding, and friendship.  The DH blog has clear evidence of that connection: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-challenge-2012/

Here are your rooms/training facilities at UMBC (for DH participants from UMBC, UM College Park, UMB, or those who have had consultations with Dissertation Coach Dr. Carter-Veale.)

• Friday,  March  9, 2012  from 8:30 to 11:45 AM and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 318 (This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means that everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, March  10, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM Commons 327
• Sunday, March  11, 2012 from 12 noon to 8:00 PM Commons 327

——————

• Friday, March 16, 2012 from  8:30 to 11:45 and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 331(This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means that everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, March 17, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM Math/Psy Room 102
• Sunday, March 18, 2012 from 12 noon to 8:00 PM  Math/Psy Room 103

——————

Thanks to the PROMISE team at UMBC and the UMBC Event staff for making arrangements for continuous operation of the Dissertation House. 

CIC conference for URM postdocs in STEM
May 31-June 2, 2012
Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU
795 Yard Street, Columbus, OH 43212

CIC member campuses are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse
faculty. The goal of this conference is to provide Postdoctoral
Scholars from groups historically underrepresented in Engineering and
Natural Sciences the opportunity to network and access information and
materials necessary for a successful transition to a faculty position
at CIC universities or similar research intensive institutions.

The conference is also designed to provide recruitment opportunities
for CIC departments and programs anticipating faculty hires in STEM
disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The
intent is to match potential faculty recruits with open searches at
CIC universities. For more information, see
http://www.cic.net/Home/Projects/Leadership/PostDocConference/Home.aspx

——————————————

This message has been sent to all AGEPs nationwide.  We hope that postdoctoral scholars from our PROMISE AGEP campuses and beyond will take advantage of this opportunity. Registration is free of charge.  Interested PROMISE postdocs should check with representatives from their respective campus’ office or unit of postdoctoral affairs  (representatives listed below) to see if there are funds available for travel and lodging.

• UMBC: Dr. Renetta Tull (rtull@umbc.edu)
• UMB: Dr. Erin Golembewski (egole001@umaryland.edu)
• UMCP: Dr. Arthur Popper (apopper@umd.edu)

CIC conference for URM postdocs in STEM
May 31-June 2, 2012
Hyatt Place Columbus/OSU
795 Yard Street, Columbus, OH 43212

CIC member campuses are committed to recruiting and retaining diverse
faculty. The goal of this conference is to provide Postdoctoral
Scholars from groups historically underrepresented in Engineering and
Natural Sciences the opportunity to network and access information and
materials necessary for a successful transition to a faculty position
at CIC universities or similar research intensive institutions.

The conference is also designed to provide recruitment opportunities
for CIC departments and programs anticipating faculty hires in STEM
disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The
intent is to match potential faculty recruits with open searches at
CIC universities. For more information, see
http://www.cic.net/Home/Projects/Leadership/PostDocConference/Home.aspx

——————————————

This message has been sent to all AGEPs nationwide.  We hope that postdoctoral scholars from our PROMISE AGEP campuses and beyond will take advantage of this opportunity. Registration is free of charge.  Interested PROMISE postdocs should check with representatives from their respective campus’ office or unit of postdoctoral affairs  (representatives listed below) to see if there are funds available for travel and lodging.

• UMBC: Dr. Renetta Tull (rtull@umbc.edu)
• UMB: Dr. Erin Golembewski (egole001@umaryland.edu)
• UMCP: Dr. Arthur Popper (apopper@umd.edu)

The “Insanity” crew is working hard and over the past two weeks, Dr. Carter-Veale has been able to have several consultations with students from UMBC and UM College Park.  The dates, times, and locations for this weekend’s Dissertation House sessions (for alumni, those who have gone through a DH session, or those who have had consultation with Dr. Carter-Veale) are as follows:

• Friday, February 24,  from 8:30 to 11:45 and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 327 (This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM Public Policy Room 206
• Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 12 noon to 6:00 PM Public Policy Room 206

The “Insanity” crew is working hard and over the past two weeks, Dr. Carter-Veale has been able to have several consultations with students from UMBC and UM College Park.  The dates, times, and locations for this weekend’s Dissertation House sessions (for alumni, those who have gone through a DH session, or those who have had consultation with Dr. Carter-Veale) are as follows:

• Friday, February 24,  from 8:30 to 11:45 and again from 1:15 to 5:30 PM Commons Room 327 (This room has a meeting being held between 12 noon and 1 PM, which means everyone will have to leave for that allotted time.)
• Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM Public Policy Room 206
• Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 12 noon to 6:00 PM Public Policy Room 206

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale will  be at UMBC on Thursday, Feb. 23 to present “Practical Steps to Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation.” The seminar will be at 4:30 PM and will end at 6PM.  Details can be found on the PROMISE website: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/grad-student-seminar-on-22312-practical-steps-for-completing-your-thesis-or-dissertation/.

All graduate students in the area are welcome to attend, but you must RSVP. UMBC’s students are asked to RSVP using the MyUMBC link for this program: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/10714.  Students at other schools are asked to RSVP as a reply to the post for this program on the PROMISE website.

Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale will  be at UMBC on Thursday, Feb. 23 to present “Practical Steps to Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation.” The seminar will be at 4:30 PM and will end at 6PM.  Details can be found on the PROMISE website: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/grad-student-seminar-on-22312-practical-steps-for-completing-your-thesis-or-dissertation/.

All graduate students in the area are welcome to attend, but you must RSVP. UMBC’s students are asked to RSVP using the MyUMBC link for this program: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/10714.  Students at other schools are asked to RSVP as a reply to the post for this program on the PROMISE website.