0.2 How to find the right institutional fit

Workshop Authors: Mike Orchard (Rice-ELEC), Tom Killian (Rice-Physics), Sallie Keller-McNulty (Rice-Dean of Engineering), Karen Hirschi (Baylor), and Farinaz Koushanfar (Rice-ELEC)

Slide 1: welcome and introduction (tom killian)

• Think hard about finding what is right for you.
  • What is important for you?
  • Most applicants – go into the process without spending enough time at this.
• Be proactive and find the information you need.
• Application and interview process can teach you much about your field and yourself.
• Be honest and up front about your goals and interests.

Slide 2: what are your options? (sallie keller-mcnulty)

• Research institution vs teaching institution vs government lab – and overlap between them
• Post doc vs permanent position
• First job vs last job point of view

Slide 3: what should you consider when looking for the right institutional fit? (mike orchard)

• Think about what makes you productive…what do you need?
  • Collaborative, resources, facilities
  • Not the same for every person
• Quality of life
  • Cost of living, weather, other interests
• Expectations of you and institution
• Teaching load, junior leave
• During the interview process, the institution is trying to make its best impression…it won’t get better than this.
• Support for new faculty
• Joint academic appointments
• Space available
• Senior colleagues
• Future directions of the department
• Quality of the graduate students
• Quality of the undergraduate students
• Support of senior administration

Slide 4: what resources do you have for learning about institutions and options? (karen hirschi)

• Advisor – you can make it easy for him or her by providing good information on what you are considering
• Networking
• Junior faculty
• Colleagues at other institutions

Slide 5: what will your strategy be? (farinaz koushanfar)

• Various stages – pre application, application, interview, after offer
• Be proactive, especially once you have an offer – it makes you look strong!
  • Ask to meet with women faculty separately
  • Ask to meet with students, human resources
  • Ask to sit in on a class or seminar – see what they show you.
• Make your application appropriate for the institution
• Networking, or at least making it look like you are in the network by making your application appropriate for the institution
• During the offer phase, envision and negotiate for what will make you succeed…think broadly
• Being engaged and asking hard detailed questions on every visit will let the committee know you are interested. This is a good thing.
• Identify who is on your committee and who is not – junior faculty can provide good information on the choices you are faced with.