Welcome to the Academic Entrepreneurship group!
As many scholars have observed, the market for tenure-track jobs is declining, relative to adjuncts and contingent faculty positions. And this trend is not likely to change. Add to this the retirement of the baby boom professors, cost constraints for state higher education budgets, the eroded value of endowments, declining philanthropic support, and new business models by higher education companies –- you have a recipe for tumultuous marketplace for faculty jobs over the next decade.
So in this environment, what can grad students and faculty in the early stages of their careers do to pursue a successful career in academia?
One idea emerging is “academic entrepreneurship”-- the idea of taking your career into your own hands and discovering your own comparative advantage in this changing marketplace. In a great piece at Inside Higher Ed, “The Entrepreneurial Grad Student,” Christine Kelly offers three things you can do to be entrepreneurial: brand yourself, seek opportunities, and be willing to adapt.
This Kosmos group is for graduate students and faculty who wish to discuss and explore this idea of academic entrepreneurship. We will post articles of interest, connect you with successful academic entrepreneurs, and highlight innovative ways you can build a fulfilling academic career and advance liberty -- even if you don’t find yourself in a traditional tenure-track job.
Comments
I think that piece is an
I think that piece is an excellent resource for any graduate student. I'm going to drop a link into the graduate student group.
The entire article is extremely good advice, but I think perhaps the strongest piece of advice is to not rely on your adviser to help you into a tenure track position.
Yes, your adviser has experience going through the process and is a great resource, but you cannot depend on your adviser for every answer. A common theme/comment I hear from the participants at our Career Development Seminars is "...my adviser never mentioned this..."
There's a multitude of ways to augment your graduate school experience, and it is impossible for your adviser to let you know about every opportunity. Furthermore, your adviser is anchored to what worked for him/her. Maybe s/he did not present at many conferences as a graduate student, whereas that may be your place to shine. Look for what works for you. (And also, hint-hint, look around on Kosmos for opportunities and events that might work for you)
I also just wanted to note that there is some controversy over the usefulness of completely branding yourself via non academic methods such as blogging. Before you engage in those methods, think it through and decide whether or not they will help or hurt you.
Great group idea, David, and I cannot wait to see what's next!