Professional Strategies for Meeting the Demands of Tenure Track and Term Appointments
Expectations:
- At the time of appointment meet with administrators and colleagues about professional expectations
- Develop an understanding of the institution you work for (research, teaching, art institute, etc.)
- Learn to document all academic activities (creative work, grants, memorialized meetings, etc.)
- Understanding the tenure clock (timing of reviews, research leaves)
Exhibition Record:
- Familiarize yourself with terms like regional, national, and international recognition
- Being discipline specific, investigate what kind of exhibition record is expected, the relative weights of solo vs. group shows,
and suitable/acceptable exhibition venues
- Developing strategies for maintaining an active show record
- Understanding reviews of shows (blogs vs. refereed reviews)
Grants:
- Research sources for grants (internal, state/national, organizational, etc.)
- Applying for "external grants" can be critical for getting "internal grants"
Teaching:
- Great teaching is expected, so take advantage of your teaching center
- Learn to balance research, teaching, and service activities
- As a junior colleague do not let your teaching "style" or philosophy become a political liability
Faculty Manual / Promotion Processes:
- The faculty manual is a legally binding document
- Become familiar with policies relative to probationary reviews and seeking external reviewers
- Become familiar with departmental or institutional formats for documenting your activities
Professional Organizations:
- Organizations can be great sources of information about grants, exhibitions, and conferences
- Participation can help one develop recognition in the field and attendance at conferences is a good way to start identifying
potential external reviewers