Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 3
Things got real today. Our job market conversations touched on current realities of the academic job market and advice that faculty members wish they knew when they were still PhD candidates/students. Halfway through today’s programming, I learned of the University of California’s systemwide hiring freeze, which is sure to make national headlines in the wake of similar freezes at the Ivies and private colleges. These are my day three reflections and takeaways from the 2025 Faculty First-Look Program hosted by NYU Steinhardt’s School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
1. There are multiple pathways to tenure. Depending on one’s institutional type and focus, tenure requirements look different for scholars. A common recommendation from today’s panelist is to have discussions early with colleagues and search committee members about the qualifications to earn tenure at the institution you’re interested in. One faculty member shared that her institution favors a book publication in tenure dossiers; however, the book should not be based on their dissertation work. That shook me, but it’s good to know these things ahead of schedule to prepare for necessary adjustments to personal research agendas. Pro tip: Ask about the success rate for tenure in recent years, and request meetings with recent hires to get the real tea.
2. We can do DEI work without calling it DEI. This has been a widespread message for folks who identify as DEI scholars or engage in DEI-based work in the wake of federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Faculty members who presented this topic spoke about the pedagogical moves they make to design equitable classroom content as well as assessments and strong relationships with students, all of which push back against deficit-oriented teaching strategies that claim certain groups have specific learning “styles.” I appreciated this conversation for uplifting the intentional moves that some of my professors took to ensure all students could access course content and participate in collaborative learning.
3. Community is key. One of the messages from a panelist that I’m still reflecting on is that academia can take a toll on your soul. Thankfully, I have yet to feel this way about the academy, but I can see how it can incite these feelings if scholars are unsupported and made to feel like they do not belong. We ended today with mock job talks and a session on supporting LGBTQ+ in the classroom, which affirmed the importance of leaning on community when institutional resources do not exist.
Additional resources: “How to Stay Friends on the Faculty Job Market” shared by Dr. Lashawn Faith Washington and job market template shared by Dr. Jessica Lee Stovall
