Are you struggling to navigate the competitive world of academia? Do you want to know how to stand out as a Ph.D. student?
In her book The Professor Is In, Karen Kelsky offers valuable advice for Ph.D. students aspiring to academic careers. She outlines six key strategies to help you build a strong scholarly background and succeed in your chosen field.
Read on to discover how you can elevate your academic profile and increase your chances of landing that coveted faculty position.
Advice for Ph.D. Students
Increasing academic competitiveness is essential for emerging scholars. Kelsky discusses six things you should do if you want to develop a robust scholarly background and succeed in an academic career: demonstrate academic achievement, practice professionalism, maintain autonomy, build a reputation, cultivate relationships, and implement a strategic plan. Let’s take a look at her advice for Ph.D. students seeking a career in academia.
#1: Demonstrate Academic Achievement
Regularly updating your resume with recent achievements creates an impression of ongoing diligence. You can demonstrate academic achievement in several ways: write and publish, pursue grants and fellowships, participate in conferences, and create and teach your own curriculum.
Write and Publish
Academic achievement is often measured by the quantity of scholarly articles published and the ability to secure financial support from outside entities. Prior to the defense of your dissertation, it’s crucial to carefully plan your publication trajectory, which should include the publication of at least one article in a peer-reviewed journal as the sole author. Securing at least one peer-reviewed publication can significantly improve your academic standing.
It’s crucial to have your research appear in respected, peer-reviewed academic journals. Your chances of success in the job market can significantly improve if you’ve contributed a peer-reviewed article to scholarly publications. The significance and pertinence of your published works to your area of study can vary, yet it remains a crucial factor, even though the required quantity may vary among different scholarly fields. Sharing your dissertation’s findings too extensively before securing tenure could exhaust the essential materials needed for this professional milestone.
Pursue Grants and Fellowships
Aspiring academics must understand that securing funding is essential, as it not only offers financial support but also boosts your standing among academic peers. Grants provide not only monetary relief but also serve as symbols of prestige. Securing substantial international funding should be considered an essential part of an academic’s duties, and it’s advisable to do so before finishing your studies.
Participate in Conferences
Actively engaging in and coordinating panels at leading national conferences is essential for building a notable reputation in the academic field. This provides a platform to demonstrate research, engage with scholarly debates, and network with potential collaborators. Organizing an academic conference can notably enhance a scholar’s reputation; it should attract a substantial audience, be pertinent, and include notable speakers.
Create and Teach Your Own Curriculum
Possessing a wide range of teaching experiences is highly valued. Instructing a course independently demonstrates your ability to manage and guide it without assistance. Should the department associated with your doctoral studies not offer chances to take charge of a classroom, seeking part-time teaching positions at nearby institutions could prove beneficial. Your qualifications should highlight your capacity for innovation within the educational sector and showcase your teaching proficiency, distinguishing you from the responsibilities commonly linked to a teaching assistant.
#2: Practice Professionalism
Expertise in a particular field of study and proficient management of the documentation and standards pertinent to your career path are what constitute academic professionalism. It’s important to have a perfect curriculum vitae, an impeccable cover letter, and a compelling teaching philosophy statement. You must understand the details of job openings, dress suitably for interviews, and ensure your application materials are submitted with professionalism. For instance, it’s crucial to use legible and standard fonts, appropriate margins, and avoid overly dense text to guarantee that the document has a professional and tidy appearance.
#3: Maintain Autonomy
Achieving success in the academic field relies significantly on your ability to be independent. Demonstrate autonomy from your mentors, and establish credibility within your specific field. Proactively disseminate your research findings, and participate in conferences independently—without expecting encouragement or assistance from your advisors. An impressive academic record is characterized by innovative and autonomous projects, as opposed to simply expanding on prior studies.
#4: Build a Reputation
By strategically networking and promoting your work, you can significantly enhance your visibility in the professional realm. Engaging in professional gatherings and effectively leveraging social media platforms can foster joint ventures, open up job prospects, and enhance your visibility in your field of expertise. You should also endeavor to obtain endorsements from experts affiliated with institutions other than your own.
#5: Cultivate Relationships
Educators must develop a supportive community that fosters networking and collaborative encouragement. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to collaborate with colleagues and contribute significantly to the department’s initiatives. During campus visits, the committee evaluates candidates to ascertain their potential for establishing relationships, an essential aspect of their anticipated responsibilities as faculty members.
#6: Implement a Strategic Plan
Developing a strategic vision is essential in the realm of academia. A clear five-year plan outlines the trajectory of publishing, conference participation, and grant applications aligned with career goals. Employers assessing candidates for employment can easily identify their preparedness, strategic planning methods, and anticipation of possible challenges in the academic sector.
