Initial Publication Date: October 9, 2020

Workshop Goals

Participants will:

1. Identify common challenges encountered by paleontologists preparing for common career paths.

2. Identify realistic expectations for teaching-intensive positions.

3. Develop an action plan to improve candidates' competitiveness for teaching-intensive positions.

4. Identify professional development opportunities supporting pedagogical knowledge and resources for effective teaching in your specialty.

5. Consider strategies for managing time and a work-life balance in teaching-intensive positions.

6. Contribute to a network providing mentorship and peer support.

Workshop Program for Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 Live Session

1. Welcome and introductions; workshop goals

2. Discussion: Being a paleontologist AND teaching - it's not just a fallback!

3. Discussion: Low-budget, high impact research

4. Discussion: Gaining relevant teaching experience

5. Wrap-up and planning

1. Welcome and introductions; workshop goals:

Identify realistic expectations for teaching-intensive positions.
Develop an action plan to improve your competitiveness for teaching-intensive positions.

2. Discussion: Types of positions and contexts

3. Reflection on own skills, abilities, and career preferences/goals.

4. Discussion: Compare and contrast current job ad language.

5. Discussion: Elements of a competitive application (not all-inclusive!)

Reading a job ad for relevance, and when to apply.
How a cover letter shows that you are a good fit.
Making a clear CV
Writing an understandable research statement
Writing a genuine teaching statement
Addressing diversity, inclusion, and equity
Remote/online teaching
Other: communicating with search committee/human resources, online application forms, what "instructor" means in different contexts, teaching demonstrations

5. Wrap-up and planning