Finding a Job at Teaching-focused Institutions

Session Submission Type: Workshop

Description

Note: This workshop was offered in Chicago in 2025 to a standing room only crowd of over 40.

How can graduate students and early career sociologists identify institutions with a strong emphasis on teaching? What are the types of faculty positions available? How can one position themselves to be a strong candidate? In this interactive workshop, faculty from different types of institutions with a strong emphasis on teaching will respond to these questions and engage participants in activities to learn how to position themselves to be competitive candidates, prepare application materials, engage in Zoom and campus interviews, and negotiate when offers are made.

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will be able to identify the relative balance of emphasis on teaching versus emphasis on scholarship at various types of institutions.
2. Participants will recognize the types of experiences and preparation that make one a competitive candidate for positions at institutions that emphasize teaching effectiveness as a key expectation for faculty.
3. Participants will learn the typical process of faculty hiring at institutions where teaching is heavily emphasized including best practices for application materials, Zoom interviews, and campus interviews including the “job talk” and teaching demo.
4. Participants will identify the characteristics of application materials (e.g. statement of teaching philosophy, diversity statement, cover letter, etc.) that comprise a strong portfolio.
5. Participants will identify the strategies for successfully navigating the job offer.\

Preliminary Agenda:
1. Introduction Activity: What is your desired balance between emphasis on teaching and scholarship?
2. Types of Institutions Where Teaching Matters
3. Types of Faculty Positions & How They Vary by Institutional Type
4. Overview of Typical Hiring Process
A. Preparing Yourself To Be a Strong Candidate
B. Shortlist Zoom Interviews
C. Finalist Campus Interviews
D. Inclusive Campuses - What to look for in the search process.
E. Job Offer Negotiations
5. (Time Permitting) Advice for Success in First Years on Job

Sub Unit

• Workshops / Professional Development Workshop

Presenters

• Melinda Jo Messineo, Ball State University

• Leslie T.C. Wang, Saint Mary's College

Session Organizer

• Jay R. Howard, Butler University