Dept. of Linguistics
Attending the “Surviving your first years as an assistant professor” Workshop, held at Ohio State, was a memorable experience for me. I was able to get a better idea of what responsibilities, duties, and challenges lay ahead for the assistant professor on the tenure-track. The three most important pieces of information that I took away from this workshop are: (1) the difference between quick starters and typical new faculty is about behavior, not ability (2) the importance of having a mentor and a sponsor, and (3) everything is negotiable for your academic position.
1. The difference between quick starters and typical new faculty is about behavior, not ability.
What I learned from one of the sessions is that the only difference between those that seem to excel in their profession and those that seem to struggle is behavior. Quick starters tend to prioritize their time so that they’re able to devote more time to research and scholarly writing and less time on teaching. Quick starters also regularly talk to mentors and colleagues about their research and teaching in order to get advice and feedback on their projects.
2. The importance of having a mentor and a sponsor.
This was a message that was repeated in at least three of the five sessions at the workshop. Every speaker stressed the need for seeking some guidance to make it through the process. Most importantly, each speaker advised to not wait for there to be a problem to seek help. For a mentor, you should look for someone that you can talk to about your needs and concerns and they will advise you on what steps might be best for your situation. A sponsor is someone who is willing to use their influence behind closed doors to help you.
3. Everything is negotiable for your academic position.
One of the speakers advised to negotiate about everything in terms of your position. This means considering what your needs will be during your time at the university. Some of the things mentioned for negotiating included asking if you would have to teach during the summers, if you could have course reductions during your first year or two, if you can get a start-up research package in order to bring up and maintain your lab for the first few years, and if the university will cover moving and travel costs.
