The Academic Job Search: Another Path: Student Affairs

TheAcademicJob Search: AnotherPath STUDENT AFFAIRS byJohn Coats 1? theMay2001 issueofHistoricallySpeaking, PaulHatleyprovidedsomeexcellentadvice tograduate students and recent PhDs who wish tofindajob in academia. He warnedofthe difficulties ofthejob search, emphasized the importance ofdemonstratingscholarly vigor, supplied usefulhints on writinga meaningfulcover letter, andsuggestedmeans to succeedin the interviewprocess. Hatley stated quite correctly , that a handfulofschooh supply mostsuccessfulcandidatesfor academic research institutions. Given thisfact, manyjob seekers willappreciate the opportunity to apply to schooh that value excellent teaching over extensivepublication. In applying to teaching institutions, a somewhat differentset ofsuggestions will help landan interview and win ajob. First and foremost, recognize that your research interests may be a secondary concern to a search committee. When a committee from a teaching institution places an advertisement that states they prefer teaching experience, they mean it. Three paper presentations and a published article may display your scholarly interests, but research does not demonstrate your ability to communicate the ideas, currents, and life of the historical world to students. Search committees look for teaching experience, whether leading undergraduate discussion sections, teaching a university survey class, or working as an adjunct at an area community college. Teach as many different preparations as possible, for many smaller institutions define their positions broadly. A research university with a large department may very well want a specialist in colonial political thought who will teach three or four preparations, but smaller departments will ask the same person to teach their specialty, all of American history to 1877, and a nonU .S. subfield as well. With some teaching experience in hand, take time to thoroughly investigate the target school's Web site before writing a cover letter. Take note of the number ofhistorians in the department and their specialties. Read the course catalog and discover what courses you have taught, can teach, and might add to the department's offerings. Carefully consider the school's mission (especially at private schools), examine student and university profiles, and learn about the local community. When writing a cover letter and vita, understand that one size does not fit all. In fact, a standard letter recounting research, presentations, and publications will likely cause your application to fail. Demonstrate that you care enough about the position to tailor your application to the school's needs. When applying to a small liberal arts or church-affiliated college, make clear your ability to support the school's mission . Since schools that value undergraduate education will look for teaching fields and experience, place that information front and center in your letter and vita. Colleges that advertise a sense ofcommunity and their professors' availability to students will look for signs that you understand and support that environment. Ifthe department invites you for an on-campus interview, be prepared to discuss your research, but also know that the department will test your ability to teach. Oftentimes this will involve stepping into a U.S. or world survey course to teach a subject far outside your area ofspecialty. The faculty will want to see that you can organize a class, teach an unfamiliar topic, communicate effectively, and engage students . Take this step seriously. Enter the classroom with the confidence born ofcareful preparation and practice, for failure in the classroom will end your chances for the job. And remember, the importance ofcollegiality grows as the size ofa history department decreases. Look for an educational community that fits your needs as a person, scholar, and educator, and recognize that the most rewarding jobs can often be found outside the major research universities. John Coats is assistantprofessor ofhistory at Quincy University. S — Z O 13 ...