Transcription
Career AdvancementPostdocs in the Humanitiesand Social SciencesWhat They Are and How to Get Onegrad.uchicago.edu
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementGoals for this SessionUNDERSTAND the role of a postdocLOCATE postdoc opportunitiesAPPLY with knowledge and confidencegrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementWhat is a postdoc in thehumanities or social sciences?grad.uchicago.edu
Postdocs 101 Career AdvancementAppointments of 1 to 3 yearsLow teaching loadsResources for travel and researchNetworking opportunitiesProfessionalization opportunitiesYou should be more than a source of laborgrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementPostdoc Rate by Field of Study: 1992–2012Percent4540373535333030Social S&E Fields (Humanities)10510401992451994541996461998Source: Survey of Earned 688200811820102012
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Postdoc TypologyCareer AdvancementSociety of FellowsThematicDiversitySkill BasedTeaching Orientedgrad.uchicago.eduProject Based
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
You Jobgrad.uchicago.edu
You Postdoc Jobgrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementWhere can I find postdoctoralfellowship opportunities?grad.uchicago.edu
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Other Places to CheckCareer Advancement Disciplinary Organizations (MLA, AAA) Institutional Websites Minority Postdoc (minoritypostdoc.org) General Higher Education Job BoardsDeadlines: October through Marchgrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementHow can I craft a competitivepostdoc application?grad.uchicago.edu
Application Elements Cover Letter Curriculum Vitae Research Proposal Course Description Writing Sample Recommendationsgrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
Application Elements Cover Letter Curriculum Vitae Research Proposal Course Description Writing Sample Recommendationsgrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
Career AdvancementIt’s not about YOU.It’s about THEM.grad.uchicago.edu
Research Proposals Problem Solution Evidence Timelinegrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
Step 1: The ProblemCareer Advancement Begin with a widely recognized problem Practical or conceptual Related to the postdoc theme Mention literature, briefly Others have not solved the problem Return to an unresolved question Where you will make your markgrad.uchicago.edu
Step 2: The SolutionCareer Advancement Your research to the rescue Outline your project and argument Show how you are solving the problem The postdoc is part of the solution It allows you to do important workgrad.uchicago.edu
Step 3: The Evidence Substantiating details MethodologySourcesLiterature reviewScholarly contribution You’ve got what it takes!grad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
Step 4: The TimelineCareer Advancement Feasible month-by-month plan Additional research or data collectionBook proposals and revisionsArticle submissionsConference presentations Institutions want proximate glorygrad.uchicago.edu
Application Elements Cover Letter Curriculum Vitae Research Proposal Course Description Writing Sample Recommendationsgrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
Postdoc Cover Letter DO Follow the style rules for an academic cover letterTailor your project’scontribution to thethemeState your timeline andresearch outputsTailor your teaching tothe themeDiscuss contributionsto campus intellectuallifegrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement DO NOT Appear opportunistic Pander Go onto a third page
Course DescriptionCareer Advancement Must align with the fellowship’s purpose Digital humanities textual media course Ecocriticism African nature writers course Islamic art gender in Islamic art course Thoughtfulness and specificity matter Topics, questions, goals, texts, assignmentsgrad.uchicago.edu
Other ApplicationElements CVCareer Advancement Emphasize teaching, research, orthemes as appropriate Writing Sample Relevant to the postdoc’s focus Letters of Recommendation Ask recommenders for targeted lettersgrad.uchicago.edu
Career AdvancementIt’s not about YOU.It’s about THEM.grad.uchicago.edu
Post-ApplicationCareer Advancement Multidisciplinary committee meets Committee evaluates materials Clarity, relevance, significance, and feasibility Committee holds interviews Interview process varies On-campus, Skype, or phone Depends on funding Committee decides and seeks approvalgrad.uchicago.edu
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
During Your Postdoc DO NOT Get too comfortable Loose sight of the bigpicture Sit alone in your office DO Create a writing plan Advance your research Network with colleagues Seek mentorship Seek feedback on teaching Build marketable skillsgrad.uchicago.eduCareer Advancement
2-Year Postdoc PlanCareer Advancement Fall Semester, Year 1 Fall Semester, Year 2 Apply for jobs Apply for jobs Revise dissertationresearch Finish book/article revisions Forge campus contacts Seek funding for new project Conceptualize a new project Seek teaching feedback Seek a letter writer Spring Semester, Year 1 Spring Semester, Year 2 Interview for jobs Interview for jobs Finish dissertationrevisions Begin work on a new project Submit articles Submit book proposalgrad.uchicago.eduMake a plan that suits you
Career Advancementgrad.uchicago.edu
Questions?Courtney uchicago.edugrad.uchicago.edu
Social Sciences Non-S&E Fields (Humanities) Career Advancement grad.uchicago.edu. . Research Proposals Career Advancement grad.uchicago.edu Problem Solution Evidence . Digital humanities textual media course Ecocriticism African nature writers course
