Academia
In numerous fields, academia stands as the primary path for individuals holding a PhD. However, the race for a sought-after tenure track role is increasingly fierce. The silver lining is that, unlike many careers, your time in graduate school is recognized as valuable work experience in academia. Several elements influence your decision to enter the academic arena, such as the caliber and quantity of your publications, and, as in virtually every domain, the importance of networking cannot be overstated.
Entry Points
In most fields, particularly in the sciences, having one or more postdoctoral appointments is essential for consideration for faculty roles. Job postings typically specify the required level of postdoctoral experience. Once you’ve gained the necessary years in a postdoc, the usual next step towards a tenure-track position is the assistant professor role. If securing a tenure-track position is not possible or if you opt for an alternative path, options such as becoming a visiting professor or taking on another adjunct faculty role may be available. However, these non-tenure track positions are often viewed as less favorable due to a lack of job security associated with tenure-track roles, and they may also miss out on benefits such as health insurance.
Application Process
Applying for an academic role necessitates submitting the typical materials, such as your CV, which must highlight relevant teaching experience and your publication history, along with letters of recommendation. While it's likely you can find job listings online or displayed on your university's bulletin boards, effective networking is crucial. Don’t hesitate to ask your advisor to leverage their connections for information about current vacancies, and ensure you participate in significant meetings or conferences in the lead-up to your job search. Major gatherings of academics within your field represent prime opportunities to build connections.
Additionally, don’t shy away from adopting a more assertive approach; consider “cold calling” by emailing departments to directly inquire about current or anticipated openings. When scheduling one-on-one meetings with faculty members, come prepared to engage in informed discussions about their research interests, as faculty members enjoy sharing their work; this serves as a valuable conversation starter. Always have numerous questions ready, whether for the graduate students you'll meet or the faculty members who will ultimately influence your candidacy.
Most, if not all, visits will feature a presentation of your research, open to the entire department. It’s imperative that you know your presentation thoroughly. If you're not confident in your delivery and passionate about your work, why would anyone want you on their team? While nerves are normal, remember that teaching is a significant component of most tenure-track roles, so strive for comfort in presenting to an audience.
Career Progression
Advancement within academia often hinges on navigating the political landscape of your department and the broader university context. However, it should primarily stem from consistent output (reflected in your publication history) and your effectiveness as an educator, as shown through student evaluations.
The initial milestone to aim for is tenure, the ultimate safeguard for your career stability. Following that, promotions typically progress from associate professor to full professor and can extend to professor II in some cases. Exceptional contributors may even attract attention for prestigious endowed chair positions. The duration between each promotion is heavily influenced by one’s productivity, leading to significant variability.
Work Hours
As an academic, a deep passion for your work is essential, and many professors willingly invest significant hours to advance human knowledge. The phrase “publish or perish” encapsulates the intense pressure faculty members face to maintain productivity. However, in addition to the responsibilities of teaching classes, holding office hours, and attending faculty meetings, work hours tend to be quite flexible and largely at the discretion of each faculty member. These commitments can vary significantly based on factors like the position type (assistant professor, adjunct faculty, lecturer, etc.), the institution (community college, large public research university, small liberal arts college, etc.), and the academic discipline (sciences, humanities, social sciences, etc.).
Compensation
Salaries vary depending on the position, university/college, and discipline. Based on current national averages, reasonable salary expectations would be:
~$40K for a postdoctoral position
~$70-80K for an assistant professor
~$85-90K for an associate professor
~$110-180K for a full professor
Exit Options
A key attraction of an academic career is the security that tenure provides, alleviating concerns about future job prospects. Most tenured faculty members end their careers as professors, but this doesn't exclude them from engaging in additional professional activities. Many take on consulting projects, launch businesses rooted in their research, or participate on advisory boards. For those who decide to exit the academic landscape, a wealth of opportunities remains, including consulting, finance, entrepreneurship, and more.