Women Surviving & Thriving in Academia: Advancing your Career After Tenure Sandra A. Slaughter Professor of Information Technology Management & Costley Chair College of Management Georgia Institute of Technology

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 2 What is the Status of Women in Academia? Women by Academic Track: 25.8% of tenured faculty 40.9% of untenured (tenure track) faculty 52.2% of non-tenure track faculty Women by Rank: 24% of full professors 38% of associate professors 46% of assistant professors 57% of lecturers and instructors Women faculty earn 81% of men’s salary ** Sources: AAUP & Chronicle of Higher Education

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 3 What is the Status of Women in Academia (Cont’d)? Women by Administrative Role: 23% of College Presidents (overall) –27% at public institutions –19% at private institutions –50% of the 8 Ivy League schools –14% at doctorate-granting institutions –29% at associate-degree granting institutions 45% of senior administrators 38% of chief academic officers Women by Degree Earned: 45% of graduate degrees –27% of doctorates in physical sciences –18% of doctorates in engineering 60% of undergraduate degrees ** Sources: AAUP & Chronicle of Higher Education

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 4 Some observations… The pipeline of women in academia is very impressive But… despite the healthy pipeline, women are over- represented in –non-tenure track jobs –jobs at lower ranks of the ladder –jobs at non-doctoral granting institutions

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 5 How can women “get there”… First, you must get tenure (or have the record for tenure) tenure is a pre-requisite even for senior-level administrative jobs

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 6 How can women “get there”… After tenure, the career landscape is “murkier” and much more challenging to navigate Tenure is relatively structured and with some safeguards for women After tenure, the process to advancement is more complex, unstructured and political

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 7 How can women “get there”… Decide which “path” you wish to pursue and tailor your strategies accordingly Traditional Academic Administrative Note that following one path does not necessarily preclude the other

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 8 Academic Careers after Tenure Full/Chaired Professor Continue to publish, teach and be a good citizen But, you will need to do more if you wish to be promoted Lobby! This is a very political process

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 9 Administrative Careers After Tenure There are many options: Department Chair Associate Dean Dean Associate Provost Provost President Etc.

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 10 Some CSFs to Career Advancement after Tenure Good mentors Ability to build a reputation Leadership, negotiation and communication skills Networking Positive Attitude Being able to know when and how to say “yes” and “no” Understanding politics Being proactive and willing to take risks when necessary

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 11 Some observations… Different skills may be more important for success in the different tracks There are more opportunities to advance in the administrative track But… keep options open to switch between tracks

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 12 Final Thoughts… Academia can offer great career options And, women have great potential to be successful in academia But, we need to be savvy if we wish to rise to the top

Friday, Oct. 24, 2008Sandra A. Slaughter ADVANCE, Georgia Institute of Technology 13 Resources American Association of University Professors (AAUP, American Association of University Women (AAUW, Ms. Mentor's Impeccable Advice for Women in Academia by Emily Toth Career Strategies for Women in Academia: Arming Athena by Lynn H. Collins Lifting a Ton of Feathers: A Woman's Guide to Surviving in the Academic World by Paula J. Caplan