The Preparing Future Faculty and Scholars (PFx) course is designed to help graduate students explore careers in and outside of academia, build career readiness confidence, consider the value and future of higher education, and critically engage with an interdisciplinary group of peers and mentors through seminars, workshops, events, and other opportunities.
Overview
Preparing Future Faculty and Scholars (PFx) seeks to better prepare postdocs, MFAs, and doctoral students for career opportunities once they have completed their training. While for some students, this will be to prepare for a career in the academy, the course is designed to acknowledge the growing trend of MFA and doctoral students seeking scholarly employment outside the academy.
For that reason, PFx has four objectives:
- Enhance students’ learning through seminars and practical activities to better prepare graduate students for academic and non-academic careers.
- Develop a repertoire of diverse strategies that will enable students to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their portfolio and develop an appropriate response to address any shortcomings.
- Provide students with the foundational information needed to find, sustain, and enhance their future in academic and/or non-academic careers.
- Present various outlooks on academic and non-academic careers, through readings and guest speakers.
Eligibility Requirements
- Full-time MFA, doctoral student, or postdoc in a UA program during the Spring 2025 academic semester.
- At least two years into the program of study.
- Ability to commit to attending all seminars.
We offer two sections of PFx:
1. Preparing Future Faculty (IDGR-650-001) – Is designed to offer doctoral and MFA students a curated set of subjects, discussions, and activities aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of life in academia beyond their graduate studies. Engaging in coursework, workshops, online training, and mentoring, participants gain a heightened awareness of the expectations for early-career faculty, along with foundational knowledge essential for navigating and advancing their academic careers.
Course Objectives
- Enhance students’ learning through seminars and practical activities to better prepare graduate students for academic and non-academic careers.
- Develop a repertoire of diverse strategies that will enable students to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their portfolio and develop an appropriate response to address any shortcomings.
- Provide students with the foundational information needed to find, sustain, and enhance their future in academic and/or nonacademic careers.
- Present various outlooks on academic careers, through readings and guest speakers.
Example of Course Topics
- Carnegie Classifications
- Faculty Panel (Life at a non-R1 School)
- Applying for a Faculty Position
- Communicating your research
- Academic Elevator Pitch
- Snapshot of the Academic Job Market
- Interviewing for Academic Positions
- Overview of Non-Academic Career Paths for PhDs
2. Preparing Future Scholars (IDGR-650-002) – This course is designed to equip graduate students and postdocs with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful careers outside academia. Recognizing the diverse career paths available, the curriculum explores various topics to help participants transition effectively from graduate school to industry, leveraging their academic background in nonacademic settings. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into different career options and develop strategies for a successful transition.
Course Objectives
- Explore diverse career paths beyond academia.
- Identify transferable skills from academic training.
- Develop strategies for effective networking and career exploration.
- Build a compelling resume and cover letter for nonacademic positions.
- Enhance communication and interpersonal skills for diverse work environments.
- Navigate the job search process outside of academia
Example of Course Topics
- Crafting a Non-Academic Resume and Cover Letter
- Personal Branding
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Build a Digital Portfolio and Personal Website
- Identifying your Transferable Skills
- Networking and Career Exploration
- Non-Faculty Panel Job Search Strategies Outside Academia The Hiring Process
Still have questions?
Who should I contact to ask any additional questions?
Email Tierney Jenkins (tjenkins2@ua.edu), Director of Graduate Programming if you have any additional questions.