Finding Your Dream Job Lana Yarosh University of Minnesota Jaeyeon Jung Microsoft Research

CRA-W Programs inspire and increase the success of women & minorities in computing 600+ students & PhD researchers every year from 250 U.S. institutions

What does CRA-W do? Individual & Group Research Mentoring Undergrads: Undergraduate Research Experiences Undergrads: Distinguished lecture role models Grad Cohort: group mentoring of graduate students Grad Students: Discipline Specific Research workshops PhD Researchers: group mentoring early & mid CMW, CAPP, Grace Hopper & Tapia Graduate Students Undergraduates Academic careers Industry/government labs 600+ students & PhDs a year

More information on programs available at table right outside and CRA-W booth in exhibit hall

About Lana

About Jaeyeon

What About You? What do you value? Teaching? Research? Salary? Work-life balance? Something else? Community outreach? Turing awards? Life style?

What Do Employers Value? Teaching College Papers in conferences Teaching experience/enthusiasm Research University & Industry Labs Papers in top conferences Great letters Spark Advanced R&D in Software Companies Coding skills; relevant experience & skills Algorithmic understanding

The Application Process Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited) Typical Academic Timeline Job! Early fall Prepare materials Recruit letter writers Sept-Dec Apply Jan-April Interview Negotiate offers

#1. Find Job Postings

Other Specialized Lists

ACM Jobs and SIGCSE mailing lists

Department Websites

Use Your Network

#2. Send Out Applications

Compile an Application Packet What’s in a job packet? Research statement Teaching statement Cover letters Recommendation letters How do I know if I’m doing it right? Get examples Serve as a student rep on a search committee Have experts and non-experts read your materials

Polish Your Web Presence Professional Webpage / Blog Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn Google Scholar Profile

Manage the Process Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited) The only part that’s in my control

What Can You Do? Take care of yourself! Sleep, eat, exercise Get social support, give social support Be prepared to feel uneasy There will be times when you feel nervous, anxious, and scared. It’s normal. Avoid comparisons and gossiping with your peers. You won’t feel any better. Seriously. Focus on what you CAN control Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Congrats! You Got an Interview! Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

#3. Rock Interviews

The Interview Process Phone interview Site visit: individual interactions Site visit: Presentatio ns Before, during, after: all the other stuff Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited) One person or a group Use a landline! Faculty of varying ranks Administrators Students HR Meals Thank you notes Interactions w/ staff Research talk Teaching demo maybe

The Talk Convince the audience you are smart and a good teacher/researcher Assume a smart but general audience but don’t dumb down the talk Clearly state problem and your contributions Show that you have ideas about what you will do when you step foot in the door If necessary, tailor for the particular job call Practice, practice, practice Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

One-on-One :A two-way evaluation Show interviewers that you’d be the kind of person they’d want down the hall. Don’t let them do all the talking. THEY NEED TO REMEMBER YOU. Prior investigation on interviewers is helpful Read/skim their papers Check out their websites Look up recent NSF awards Note one possible topic of conversation if there’s a lull Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Questions to Ask About Teaching How Much What's the pre/post tenure teaching load? What courses would I teach? Do faculty ever “buy out” of courses? Freedom and Flexibility How much control would I have over course content? Can I create new courses? Support and Evaluation In what cases would I have TA support? What resources are available for improving teaching skills? How is teaching evaluated? Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Questions to Ask About Research Tenure What are the expectations for tenure? How many people were denied/granted tenure in recent years? Research Culture What does it take to be successful here? Who do you work with in the department? Do you work with other university faculty? Grants What are the expectations about grant submission? What types of funding to faculty typically seek? What assistance is available for grant submission? How are research assistants supported within the department? Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Offer! Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

#4. Negotiate the Offer

Negotiations Starting date & time till tenure A January start may buy you extra time on the tenure clock Pre-tenure sabbatical? Teaching & service Course releases Which courses Committee service expectations Other commitments, e.g., advising undergrads Money Salary (and summer support) Travel allotments, consulting, startup, etc. Get EVERYTHING in writing

Money: Salary Amount Pay raises Summer salary Benefits Subsidized housing Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Money: Funding Startup and ongoing Research equipment Travel Students Books and memberships Class/lab equipment Intellectual property rights Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Negotiation Rules If you never hear “no”, you're not asking for enough. But know when not to apply this rule. Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Other Research Job Opportunities Distribution Statement “A” (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited)

Postdocs Find job postings Additionally contact individual professors that you want to work with Apply professors & industry labs Interview Negotiate offers Probably not much wriggle room

Research Faculty Find job postings At the discretion of each department since it’s a soft money position Apply Often same as tenure track positions Interview Find more about grant opportunities Negotiate offers Some departments offer to pick up first N years of salary until you bring grant $

Researchers at Industry Labs Find job postings Most labs have a standard “career” section on their web page Apply Online to their system and let your contact know Interview Negotiate offers Typically a lot more wriggle room (sign on bonus, stocks, etc.)

Other Tips Two body opportunity If they like you, they will try to help your partner at least get an interview Interview at many places (even if you have an offer already) Opportunities to meet great people, to advertise your work, and to get free airline mileage Put you in an advantageous position to negotiate

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