Professional Development Component

Union College Future Professors Program

In keeping with the mission of the Future Professors Program, the Professional Development Component is a vital element in the program.

Apply to graduate program in your area of interest. Your faculty mentor will assist you in identifying appropriate graduate institutions and in preparing applications to these universities.
Set aside substantial time periods to discuss the academic profession with your faculty mentor. Topics covered should include the following: different types of faculty positions (tenure-track, visiting, adjunct), tenure, academic job market projections in the field, publishing, teaching, college and community service, higher education 'politics', curriculum trends, administration and institutional requirements and suggestions for faculty professional development.
Attend a winter-term workshop on preparation for the academic job market (academic resume preparation, etc.).
Attend the job seminars of at least two faculty candidates for the same job at Union (in your own or a related department). With departmental permission, you will look at the materials submitted by several applicants for a faculty position at Union.
Participate actively in the seminar "Skills for the Academy" throughout the academic year. (Approximately two seminars per month. Not for academic credit.)

Attend one faculty meeting and one departmental meeting per year (by invitation).
Join a professional organization in your field (if available) and participate in a meeting of that organization. [Note: There is travel money available for this purpose.]
Review the current curriculum in your field of study, look at trends in the discipline and discuss this with your mentor.
Attend periodic workshops offered by the Career Development Center.
Read professional development literature, view videos and tapes.
Bring information from the Future Professors program to campus by writing articles for Concordiensis, presenting at campus organization meetings, and informally discussing the program with other interested students.
Volunteer to enhance the Future Professors program by planning a special event or workshop.