Graduate Students

You already are in your first year of graduate school, have an advisor, know what courses you want to take, and are very passionate with your area of study. You know the topic of your dissertation and cannot wait to start your research. You even have an opportunity to teach for first time!

Your success, however, depends not only on your academic experience but also on your professional development. Activities such membership in professional organizations, attending and giving papers at professional conferences, serving on committees, reading professional journals, and networking with other professionals in the discipline contribute to your successful transition from student to a professional and are vital to enriching your experience, boosting your resume and vitae, increasing your network opportunities to help your marketability and career management. Professional development is an ongoing process throughout your professional life. For more career information and job search strategies contact Susie Schwieger, Director of Graduate Student Life, Graduate College , 110 Lang Hall.

 

 

Join Professional Associations in your Discipline

By joining professional associations in your discipline you can stay on top of current trends and new developments in your field. Many of these organizations have ways for you to get involved while you are still in school. For instance, attending their conferences, reading their newsletters, and allowing you to present your research. Plus, joining these organizations will likely help you in your job search by either posting openings on their website, holding job placements at the conferences or sending out openings through online list serves.

Selected Resources

  • Encyclopedia of Associations (UNI Rod Library - Reference) A comprehensive list of national and international organizations described briefly, with names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
  • Professional Associations in your discipline (from JobWeb) - Identify the major associations in your discipline, locate their websites, and determine whether you can join the association as a graduate student member.
  • Associations on the Net –Identify organizations in your field and explore groups you might want to join.
  • ASAE Gateway to Associations Directory – Maintained by the American Society of Association Executives, the search results provide a list of associations that meet your selection criteria.

Attend Conferences and Present Papers

Attending conferences and presenting papers allow you to be an active participant in your field and discipline. It also gives you practice and preparation that go along with professional responsibilities of an academic scholar. By attending conferences or presenting papers also gives you the chance to make a name for yourself, network within your field and discipline and keep yourself updated on issues and trends within your field.

Selected Resources - Calls for Papers

Network and Cultivate Professional Contacts

Networking is the art of developing and cultivating relationships related to your career management. Networking is an intentional strategy. Potential networking contacts include faculty, academic staff, other graduate students, professionals in your field, current and previous employers, family members and community members. Attendance at career forums, career fairs, seminars and participation in professional development activities present additional opportunities for networking.

Selected Resources for Networking

  • Networking - Resources from UNI Career Services and the Internet

Prepare your CV/Resume/Cover Letter

The curriculum vitae (CV) also called vita is a variation on a resume and is a comprehensive record of your academic development which is used when applying for grants, scholarships and academic positions. The CV is provided only as requested in applying for academic or research positions.

A resume is a one or two page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments and experience.

The cover letter, also known as the application letter is an additional marketing tool that addresses the specific qualifications as stated in the position description and accompanies the CV or the resume. Additional employment correspondence includes the letter of inquiry or prospecting letter, the thank you letter, the letter of acceptance, and the letter used to decline a position.

Selected Resources

For more information on resumes, cover letters, and other types of correspondence follow the side index.

What To Expect From An Interview

The interview is an additional assessment tool both for the employer and the candidate. The interview evaluates qualifications, motivation for the position and whether you're fit for the organization. From the candidate's perspective, the interview affords the opportunities to further evaluate the position, career development and professional growth.

Selected Resources

Job Search in Academia

The academic job search is to universities, colleges, and community colleges. Your preparation includes being informed regarding deadlines, the materials needed in your particular field and the cycle of the job search over the year. Talk with your advisory regarding requirements in your field. Application materials include the curriculum vita, letter of application, dissertation abstract, letters of reference, writing samples, statement of teaching philosophy, research agenda, transcripts, and student evaluations.

Selected Resources

Teaching at a Community College

Another option for teaching in higher education is the community college. A doctorate is not required and teaching rather than research is the focus. Each community college has their own requirements for faculty. The student body is diverse and includes adult learners along with the traditionally aged student. Because of the tremendous growth of community colleges, there has been an expansion of teaching opportunities. Serving as an adjunct faculty may be your first experience in the community college.

Selected Resources

  • Community College Times
  • Not a Bad Gig “Teaching at a two-year college actually has a lot of advantages over teaching at a four-year institution -- and certainly over being unemployed”. (Chronicle of Higher Education Online)
  • 2-Year Colleges Not for You? Think Again “ Not interested in teaching at a two-year college? You may want to reconsider. In a recent issue of The Chronicle, more than a third of the full-time faculty positions advertised were at two-year institutions.” (Chronicle of Higher Education Online)
  • Applying for Jobs at a Two-Year Colleges “your next objective is to land an interview. And the best way to do that is to impress the search committee with your application materials.” (Chronicle of Higher Education Online)
  • The Community-College Interview “As you prepare for an interview at a two-year college, keep in mind that your chances of getting the job depend more on your ability to speak the language of community colleges than on any other single factor”(Chronicle of Higher Education Online)

A professional Career Outside the Academia

Businesses, industry, the government and the non- profit sectors offers a variety of employment opportunities for graduates with advanced degrees. You would use a resume that emphasizes your skills as they relate to the specific position. In contrast to the academic job search, many of these positions may be initially advertised through the employers’ network. Be ready to market yourself through your knowledge of the fields of interest to you and articulating what you have to offer.

Selected Resources

Additional Information and Selected Articles