1 Academic Careers in Transportation Joseph L. Schofer Northwestern University Evanston, IL

2 The University University mission: produce, disseminate knowledge through –Research –Teaching –Service Research is paramount –It’s learning, Exploring, Problem solving Examples –Models to predict trip making –Durable bridge materials –Optimal intersection control –Strategies for rapid incident clearance In universities… –All teachers are researchers –Most researchers are teachers Why does it happen? What to Do? Why do it?

3 Career Options Student (best job) –Self investing –BS, MS, PhD –But it’s temporary! Professor (next best) –Independence –Multi-tasking Teaching, research, management Full-time researcher (close 3 rd ) –Some institutions have these

4 What Do Students Do? Classes Hands-on learning: research –Graduate school is different –MS: professional work –PhD: research, teaching –Arms and legs for research –High expectations Fun stuff, too… Students: build knowledge & skills for next career phase

5 Professors’ Work Teaching –Classroom, mentoring, coaching Research –Discover new ideas –Solve important problems Grantsmanship –Find money to do the job Disseminate the results –Write, publish –Travel, speak Manage research teams Manage universities Time flexibility –“It’s vacation time… now I can work!”

6 Research/Academic Career Requires... 1.Interest in the field – commitment a)Technology-society interface b)Solving real problems 2.Problem solving skills a)Quantitative and qualitative analytics 3.Communications skills 4.Interest in human development a)Helping other people grow 1, 2 & 3 important for the field; 4 is essential for academic career

7 Path to Becoming a Professor Ph.D. –B.S years –Independent research Practice, skill building What does it take? –Commitment (interest!) Work hard, dig deeply –Domain knowledge –Analytic skills (tools) –Communication skills Writing, speaking –Independence of thought

8 Rewards? Learning new stuff –Discovery Teaching & mentoring –Coaching Variety & flexibility

9 Payoff New ideas Solutions –Useful ideas –Tools –Technologies –Materials Trained professionals The legacy

10 Questions?