1. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University Winning that Academic Job (Perspectives from a Seasoned Professor)

2. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University The Academic Interview “An interview is to employment as dating is to marriage: an opportunity to make an impression and create a relationship that will lead to something more permanent.” The Three most important things for an interview:  Prepare Know about the faculty Have a list of questions ready Be ready for all questions Understand your bargaining power

3. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University The Academic Interview Prepare your seminar carefully…it may be the most important presentation of your life  Most often used as a measure of your research and how good a teacher you will be (show enthusiasm)  Do not get defensive during Q&A (some people like to test you by being purposely hostile)  “I don’t know….I’ll check into it and get back to you” is an Okay answer. Ask about  Teaching loads, travel money, lab space and start up packages  Quality of graduate & undergraduate students  Department’s health (through subtle Q&A)

4. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University Life as an Assistant Professor What does a professor do all day (do I want this life?) Teaching (classroom and advising) What do people think a professor does all day?

5. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University So, Professor, what do you do? “Teaching, Research, & Service” committees write papers write proposals grovel for money committees advise students correct theses committees sit on exams committees

6. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University and then there’s the tenure game … Bring in more $$ Write more papers Be a great teacher The Secret? You know the answer: Time Management

7. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University Teaching: Why most of us get into the professorship “A great teacher is one whose spirit enters the souls of his students” (John Milton) 1.In the Classroom 2.In the role of Advisor

8. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University What makes a great teacher? Most professors have never had a course in education Does good researcher = good teacher? Are good teachers born (and not made)? Characteristics of a good teacher: Stimulating, clear, organized, approachable, enthusiastic, helpful, fair 1.Intellectual excitement 2.Interpersonal rapport

9. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University The Public’s Perception: What do people think a Professor does? “Those who can, do ….. ….those who cannot, teach.” One example of public perception: Profscam, by Charles J. Sykes (journalist son of a professor) “…the direct and ultimate reason for the collapse of higher education in the United States: the selfish, wayward and corrupt American university professor.” Caution: This material is presented only to open your eyes to what some sectors of the public believe.

10. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University Professor Crimes (Profscam) Overpaid and underworked Have abandoned teaching responsibilities and students (unapproachable, uncommunicative, and unavailable) In pursuit of their own interests (research, academic politicking, cushy grants) they have left students in the care of an academic underclass Have created a culture in which bad teaching goes unnoticed and good teaching is penalized Have perverted the system of academic publishing Of course, this can’t happen here

11. June 30, 2004Steve Yurkovich, The Ohio State University So why be a Professor? There are few careers as rewarding Be your own boss (choose your own 80 hour weeks) It is possible to “do” and “teach” simultaneously! You can make a difference