Professional Visibility Over the Lifespan: Musings of for a reluctant self-promoter Debra Titone Associate Professor Department of Psychology McGill University

Professional Visibility Not natural to manage for “typical” academic researcher… we would’ve gotten MBAs instead “Noble” to “Shameless” Continuum – Your research gets you noticed without even trying – Your authentic interests drive your research; you occasionally take steps to get you and your work noticed – Your authentic interests & a calculated sense of what’s “hot” drive your research; you often take steps to be in the right place at the right time – Your desire for visibility drives your research agenda, the professional activities in which you engage, the 1000’s of Facebook friends you have, and the car you drive

Life-cycle of an academic

A baby academic is born

Life-cycle of an academic Stuff happens

Life-cycle of an academic Graduate school

Life-cycle of an academic Postdoc

Life-cycle of an academic Assistant Professor

Life-cycle of an academic TENURE

Life-cycle of an academic Associate Professor

Life-cycle of an academic Promoted to Full Professor?

Life-cycle of an academic Emeritus Status

Life-cycle of an academic Time for a vacation

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Common to all career stages – Publish good work in a smallish # of domains – Network = talk enthusiastically about what you do & enthusiastically inquire about what other people do – Network in your department, institution, at conferences – Emphasize the positive aspects of your surroundings; you are a part & product of them Promote your own work, the work of others in your lab, your advisor, your department, your university… there’s no profit in being stingy – Be “present” in your department – e.g., attend colloquia & ask questions; serve on student committees within reason – If opportunities present themselves, act on them.. – Do research that you love – Be yourself – suppress “imposter syndrome”

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Pre-Ph.D. – good habits start here – Good first author publications are essential – Cultivate professional relationships with your advisor, lab-mates, other professors in your department, and other students – Cultivate a reputation as someone who upgrades life in the lab, program, department.. Don’t be a drag… – Enthusiastically spread credit around where appropriate – Represent your lab/department well – Let your advisor(s) know that you are interested in meeting people at conferences etc. – don’t be odd about it, but don’t be shy either – Tell your adviser(s) that you want to get involved with journal reviewing and other professional opportunities

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Postdoc – the stakes are higher bc you need a job – Same as before, but now you are cultivating a broad, inclusive professional circle – Cultivate opportunities to give talks, and visits to meet other researchers – Start thinking of yourself as someone who can put other people into contact with each other – Papers still essential, but now think about external funding (if you haven’t already); become skilled in this process; serving on grant-review panels helps immensely, it’s the only service really worth doing – ***special note to WOMEN, you may be thinking about starting a family, which rarely enhances professional visibility – lost time, harder to attend conferences, etc.. BUT it is your life, after all..

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Assistant Professor – great, but now things ramp up.. – First author publications still important, but papers where your students are first authors count as much or more – Your students’ successes are now a direct reflection on you – it’s a win- win situation that is IDEAL for the reluctant self-promoter – Establish a publication record that is clearly independent of your mentors, with your students – Strive to be the mentor and colleague you were lucky to have, or that you wished you had, BUT only accept EXCELLENT students – Be visible and positive in your department; get involved with the governing structure of your department – But don’t let your department overburden you with service – research & teaching are top priorities that get you visibility in your field and tenure, service is not – Make an effort to get to know likely tenure-letter writers – Aim for TALKS at conferences rather than poster presentations

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Tenured Associate Professor – you did it! – Same as before, but now you’re hitting your stride in your research, being more choosy about what research you do and publish – You’re organizing symposia, workshops, & meetings rather than just submitting abstracts – You’re giving talks, getting papers published, semi-confident about securing funding, sending students to good labs & positions, gaining an international reputation – You continue to cultivate your professional circle & enjoy an extensive network of colleagues, former & current students and collaborators – Psychonomics is MUCH more fun.. – Very important, because to ever get promoted to full professor, you need important people to say you are PROVEN in the eyes of your field; non-stellar, wishy-washy letters are the kiss of death

Visibility-enhancing behaviors at different career stages Full Professor & beyond – Same as before, but now you are growing/maintaining your reputation, rather than fading into obscurity – You’re among the leaders in your field but you still have to compete for new grants; you may become a “target” for scholarly take-down – Your research is more integrative/expansive – You’re creating scholarly and professional opportunities for your students, colleagues, and others – You’re making the academic ecosystem a better place, both scientifically and professionally; you’re creating organizations like Women in Cognitive Science

Professional Visibility = good work, strategy, luck