Post-Graduate Pathway Reflections: Day 4
Phew. This week is getting to me. I’ve been operating on East Coast time and calling in for NYU Steinhardt’s 2025 Faculty First-Look Program (FFL) from Hawaiʻi, and the adjusted work/sleep schedule has been a little rough. However, today was the fourth and final day of FFL, and I’m grateful for all the lessons and insight on the hidden curriculum of academia that was shared by faculty, current PhD students, and alum of the program. In this post, I share some final thoughts and takeaways from day 4’s programming.
1. Be strategic about the research collaborations you pursue. Today’s opening panel focused on communication and interdisciplinary collaborations, and some of the best advice shared included focusing on partnerships with faculty who have the same rank as you (i.e., assistant professors) because they have a similar production quota that they need to achieve within a specific timeframe. In essence, seek partnerships with folks whose research interests align with yours and people who can reach specific deadlines. Another piece of advice is to be strategic about the types of articles to publish while building relationships with communities. If scholars are cultivating trust with communities, they can focus on methodological or conceptual articles and then pursue empirical studies once communities are comfortable having their data published. Lastly, the panelists reminded cohort members to work with people that we like and scholars with whom we can see ourselves developing long-term collaborations.
2. There’s a method to the madness. I recognize spirituality as an element of my identity and scholarly approach. Consequently, I believe there is a reason for all things, and today, was no exception. During small-group discussions, I was placed with two individuals who align with my community-engaged background and my critical woman epistemological perspective. This seemingly “random” group assignment resulted in an uplifting workshop experience that I can see opening opportunities for future collaborations to explore settler colonialism and womanism perceptions across Pacific and Atlantic contexts.
3. AI and technology’s future in academia must be addressed by educators. This is a hot topic in education today, as more students engage with AI resources and technology in classrooms and beyond. While some panelists recommend using AI to our advantage to draft statements and syllabi, others raise important concerns over privacy and ownership. I personally have much to learn and practice when it comes to AI as a teaching and learning resource, but I also see this developing context as an opportunity for intergenerational learning. I think technological developments can help our students embrace leadership identities and roles in classrooms. However, I’m also aware of sticky situations that educators have had with plagiarism, so I do recognize it is a resource that will need to be addressed in syllabi and classroom conversations.
Overall, I am glad I applied to and was accepted to participate in FFL. I learned so much about life before entering and during the job search process. 10/10 recommend this program to pre-dissertation PhD students and those preparing to enter academia. The four days are loooooong, but they’re mindfully designed and flexible for folks who are attending other conferences or presentations simultaneously. The time difference between Hawai’i and NYC was a STRUGGLE, but it got me to go to bed early and still have time to work in the afternoon. If the program continues with its online format, zoom burnout can occur, so that’s something to consider.
Additional resource: The program also has an in-person option in the fall, which I think will greatly benefit folks who are applying for postdoctoral and faculty positions.
