Sponsored by CRLT and Rackham, this series spotlights faculty worklife at different kinds of colleges and universities to help you explore career possibilities.

What’s It Like to Work at a Liberal Arts College?

Interested in teaching at a liberal arts college? A 2014 faculty panel from liberal arts colleges discussed job search strategies and faculty worklife. In addition, participants learned about the Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships at Oberlin and Kalamazoo Colleges for University of Michigan Ph.D.s.

• Dr. Daniel Birchok, Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion, Oberlin College
• Dr. Vanessa McCaffrey, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Albion College
• Dr. Andrew Mozina, Professor of English, Kalamazoo College
• Dr. Annemarie Sammartino, Associate Professor of History, Oberlin College

What's It Like to Be a Teaching Postdoc?

• Laura Schram, Assistant Director, CRLT (Facilitator)
• Melanie Boyd, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Yale University
• Rebecca Fulop, Lecturer in Musicology, U-M
• Christopher Matthews, LSA Academic Advisor, U-M 

What's It Like to Teach at a Community College?

• Laura Schram, Assistant Director, CRLT (Facilitator)
• James Egan, Dean of Distance Learning and Professor of Mathematics, Washtenaw Community College
• Brooke Thomas Allen, Professor of Political Science, Macomb Community College
• Camille Ziolek, Chair and Professor of English, Oakland Community College, Orchard Ridge 
• Agenda and Resources from 2013
• American Association of Community Colleges 2020 Fact Sheet

What’s It Like to Pursue an Alternative Academic Career in STEM?

Interested in exploring career paths beyond the professoriate? This 2013 panel featured scholars from a variety of STEM backgrounds who have put their doctoral-level training to use in the academy in administrative, research or staff careers, many of which involve a faculty appointment or teaching. The panel highlights ed opportunities in a range of careers and provide strategies to prepare for alternative academic career paths.

Panelists:

• Dr. Manja Holland, Research Programs Officer, Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, U-M
• Dr. Peggy Liggit, Director, Faculty Development Center, Eastern Michigan University
• Dr. Bruno Vanzieleghem, Assistant Director of Operations, University of Michigan Energy Institute

What’s It Like to Pursue an Alternative Academic Career in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences?

Interested in exploring career paths beyond the professoriate? This 2013 panel featured scholars from the humanities, arts, and social sciences who have put their doctoral-level training to use in the academy in administrative, research or staff careers, many of which involve a faculty appointment or teaching. The panel highlights ed opportunities in a range of careers and provide strategies to prepare for alternative academic career paths.

Panelists:

• Dr. Henry Dyson, Senior Advisor and Scholarship Coordinator, LS&A Honors Program, U-M
• Dr. Liliana Milkova, Curator of Academic Programs, Oberlin College
• Dr. Jennifer Young Yim, Director, Global Scholars Program, U-M

What’s It Like To Be a Postdoctoral Scholar?

Thinking about a postdoc after graduation? This interdisciplinary panel from the 2012 PFF conference offered strategies for getting a postdoctoral position, as well as working productively at one. Additional resources on finding and being successful at postdoctoral positions are also available.

Panelists:

• Jennifer Emery-Peck, Visiting Professor/Postdoctoral Fellow in English, Oberlin College
• Donald Lopez, Chair of the Michigan Society of Fellows; Department Chair and A.E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist Studies, Asian Languages and Cultures, U-M
• Luanna Prevost, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Center for Engineering Education Research (CEER), Michigan State University
• Michele Swanson, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Studies, Medical School, U-M; Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, U-M
• Co-moderated by Mary Wright, Director of Assessment and Associate Research Scientist, CRLT and Kris Gorman, Postdoctoral Research Associate, CRLT

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