"Navigating Your Career" Content Development
Pam Lee — Professional Issues
Questions/Responses/Discussion/Point values
- DP 1: Leaders in a society in econometrics ask Pam Lee to become a co-editor of their new journal in the field.
- Lee agrees to take on this responsibility if the society will pay for an editorial assistant.
- Lee thanks the leaders for the invitation, but she turns down this opportunity.
- Lee explains that it is not the right time for her to accept such an offer and asks if she might be considered again post-tenure.
- Explanation: After considering the value of this opportunity and its potential costs in terms of increasing her workload, Lee ought to consult with her chair and senior colleagues to determine whether editing a new journal would be an asset at this point in her career (i.e. would her colleagues credit her editing of the journal as a form of research?). It is highly likely that the increased work (even with an assistant) would offset any professional advantage gained by accepting.
- A. lose 5 points in health
- B. gain 5 points in research
- C. gain 5 points in research and 3 points in allies
- DP 2: According to information supplied by a friend at a funding agency, a senior colleague in Lee's unit who has previously collaborated on another project with Lee submits a prospectus for a grant proposal based on Lee's independent research but does not credit her.
- Lee confronts her colleague, who denies that her work has anything to do with the grant.
- Lee says nothing, but she decides to avoid future collaborations with this colleague.
- Lee complains to the grant agency.
- Explanation: Lee should avoid being too confrontational, whining, or passive. Saying nothing is the safest course of action. Choosing to confront her colleague risks turning a potential ally into an enemy, as complaining to the grant agency assuredly does. Only by continuing to establish her own research reputation in the field can Lee redeem the situation.
- A. lose 5 points in allies, gain 5 points research
- B. 0 points
- C. lose 10 points in allies, gains 2 points research
- DP 3: External colleagues ask Lee to collaborate as the only econometrician on a multi-million dollar, multi-university research proposal that has the prospect of funding a number of her graduate students for 4 years.
- Lee agrees to participate in writing the proposal although contributing to it will require many hours of work for her and her team.
- Lee declines to participate because of the time commitment to research that is not central to her program.
- Lee agrees to participate and asks her chair for some staff support to facilitate her contribution.
- Explanation: As gaining research funding is a top priority, Lee's work on the proposal could justify staff support. In any case, contributing the proposal ought to be worth her time. The exception would be if it involves extensive work too far from her research area. She must judge whether she should extend her research or delimit it.
- A. gain 5 points research, gain 5 points allies, gain 2 points health
- B. lose 5 points allies
- C. gain 5 points research, gain 5 points allies, gain 2 points health
- DP4: Lee is asked to serve on a review panel in a related discipline.
- Lee declines serving on the panel because she is busy with her research.
- Lee accepts serving on the panel because she wants to see what others are doing in the field and how proposals are evaluated.
- Lee agrees to serve on the panel although its timing means she will miss a unit faculty meeting.
- Explanation: Serving on a review panel is a good way to develop proposal writing skills as well as learning more about others' research in the field. As research is the top priority, colleagues should understand the absence from the meeting.
- A. gain 2 points research
- B. gain 5 points research, gain 5 points allies
- C. gain 5 points research, gain 5 points allies
- DP 5: Lee is considering applying for an Early Career Award, but she wonders whether it is worth it to invest time that could be used to do research.
- Lee decides that she can only invest time in research, as her work is at a critical stage.
- Lee decides to apply for the award, but she does not want to bother others with previewing her application.
- Lee asks her chair for help in identifying senior colleagues and university staff who might assist her in applying.
- Explanation: Prestigious awards are valued as signs of research standing. Lee should consult with her chair, colleagues, and other awardees for help with her application.
- A. 2 points research
- B. 5 points research, lose 2 points health
- C. 8 points research, gain 2 points allies
Decision Points on Institutional Issues (DI)
- DI 1: Lee is asked by her college dean to serve on a task force of faculty, staff, and students developing mechanisms to assist foreign teaching assistants.
- Lee agrees to serve on the task force if it can count as her only service requirement for the year.
- Lee declines to serve on the task force, citing research obligations.
- Lee thanks the dean and accepts this responsibility.
- Explanation: While research comes first, Lee will also be expected to do some service during her pre-tenure years. If she judiciously accepts assignments that interest her, she can likely manage her overall workload.
- A. gain 5 points research, gain 5 points service
- B. 0 points
- C. gain 5 points service
- DI 2: Lee is asked if she would like to become an adjunct faculty member in another college and to have one of her key courses cross-listed in its curriculum.
- Lee agrees to cross-listing the course and becoming an adjunct faculty member.
- Lee agrees to cross-listing the course, but she does not pursue becoming an adjunct faculty member.
- Lee decides to decline both opportunities, indicating that her area complements rather than overlaps with the inviting unit.
- Explanation: There are risks and benefits in being an adjunct faculty member in another unit. The key concern for Lee ought to be how closely her research fits the mission of the inviting unit and whether her work for the other unit will be valued by colleagues. More responsibilities can also increase workload.
- A. gain 5 points teaching, gain 5 points allies, lose 5 points health
- B. gain 5 points teaching
- C. lose 5 points allies, gain 5 points research
- DI 3: Graduate students in the university ask Lee to be a speaker for a local conference they are organizing.
- Lee agrees to be a speaker because she can discuss her research.
- Lee declines speaking because she is too busy with her research.
- Lee agrees to be a speaker and asks the students if she can provide any other help for the conference.
- Explanation: Although there is little prestige associated with a student conference, there is a possibility that Lee might interest some students in her research. Participating can be seen as an extracurricular contribution to teaching. But Lee should avoid accepting other responsibilities associated with the conference as they are unlikely to generate rewards.
- A. gain 5 points teaching
- B. 0 points
- C. gain 5 points teaching, lose 5 points health
- DI 4: Lee is asked by colleagues in another unit to help find a speaker for their unit colloquium.
- Lee suggests a short list of possible speakers and provides contact information.
- Lee indicates that she is not able to assist these colleagues because of other commitments.
- Lee suggests that she would like to speak at the colloquium.
- Explanation: Helping out colleagues in this way should not take much time and might facilitate future collaborations as Lee could suggest bringing individuals she would like to meet.
- A. gain 3 points allies
- B. 0 points
- C. gain 3 points research
- DI 5: Lee is asked to serve as the junior faculty representative on the college's executive committee.
- Lee declines, citing research priorities for this academic year.
- Lee declines, citing her lack of familiarity with such groups.
- Lee accepts and asks her senior colleagues for guidance in proceeding.
- Explanation: It is an honor to be asked, but one should accept such an opportunity only if one is able to contribute productively. Declining for research or inexperience is appropriate, while taking on the responsibility with assistance is a plausible way to minimize frustration.
- A. gain 5 points research
- B. gain 5 points research, gain 3 points allies
- C. lose 1 point research, gain 3 points service, gain 5 points allies
Decision Points on Unit Issues (DU)
- DU 1: After developing two new course preparations in her first term, Lee is asked to develop new courses in three successive terms.
- Lee teaches four new course preparations during her first term and continues to develop new courses in successive terms.
- After teaching four new course preparations in her first year, Lee asks to repeat these courses for two more years.
- After teaching four new course preparations in her first year, Lee refuses to teach any more new courses.
- Explanation: Faculty should not devote almost all energy to curriculum development and teaching because they will be primarily evaluated on research achievements. While a new curricular program could require intensive development, a unit should take care to allow faculty members appropriate time for writing research proposals and publications.
- A. gain 5 points teaching, lose 10 points health, lose 10 points research
- B. gain 5 points teaching, gain 5 points health, gain 5 points research
- C. gain 5 points teaching, gain 5 points health, lose 5 points allies
- DU 2: Lee's chair assigns her a mentor, who has volunteered to serve in this capacity.
- Lee tells the chair and the mentor that she doesn't need any help.
- Lee thanks the chair and the mentor and sets up regular meetings with both.
- Lee works out a schedule of meetings and goals with the mentor. They plan to focus on Lee's developing stronger research proposals.
- Explanation: Even if the mentor's personality and research area are different from Lee's, a mentoring relationship will likely gain her allies, enhance her understanding of the unit's programs and institutional values, and thereby reduce her level of stress.
- A. lose 5 points allies, lose 5 points health/family
- B. gain 5 points teaching, gain 5 points health/family
- C. gain 5 points teaching, gain 10 points research, gain 5 points health/family
- DU 3: Lee's undergraduate students complain to her and at the same time to her chair and the dean of students that the course is too demanding.
- Lee tells the students that the course is fine as it is and complains about the unprofessional attitude of the students when the chair asks her what has happened.
- Lee consults with the chair and another faculty member who has taught a similar course to determine if the workload of her new course can be better calibrated.
- Lee does nothing because the material is required as the course is a prerequisite.
- Explanation: To maintain instructional effectiveness and unit support, Lee ought to consult with her chair and colleagues, who should help her resolve the situation to mutual satisfaction.
- A. lose 5 points teaching, gain 5 points enemies, lose 5 points health
- B. gain 5 points allies, gain 5 points health
- C. lose 10 points teaching, lose 5 points health
- DU 4: Lee's chair sends her note encouraging her to sign up for a term-long seminar on teaching.
- Lee signs up for the seminar, thanking her chair for the good advice.
- Lee declines joining the seminar because she is too busy with research.
- Lee signs up for the seminar because she would like to improve her teaching style, and the seminar seems an efficient mechanism.
- Explanation: Although teaching seminars take time that might be used for research, they provide opportunities to enhance one's courses and to network with colleagues beyond one's unit. They also open a window into the teaching practices, policies, and theories used in other unit. Such information is useful, particularly for candidates preparing teaching summaries for evaluation.
- A. gain 5 points teaching, gain 8 points allies
- B. gain 5 points research, lose 5 points allies
- C. gain 5 points teaching, gain 5 points allies
- DU 5: Lee is nominated for a college teaching award and is asked by her unit colleagues to supply a vita, some syllabi, and other information for the award nomination package.
- Lee is too busy finishing a grant proposal, so she asks to be removed from consideration for the award.
- Lee agrees to supply the vita and the syllabi, if a staff member can assist her in collating materials and polishing up the final version.
- Lee spends all weekend preparing to teach and working on the award nomination materials. She must stay up all night on the following Monday to finish the grant proposal by the deadline.
- Explanation: It would be most productive for Lee to get assistance if someone is available to help her. Otherwise, she ought to have her vita and teaching portfolio ready for such occasions.
- A. lose 5 points allies, gain 3 points research
- B. gain 5 points allies, 3 points health, gain 3 points research
- C. lose 5 points health, gain 3 points research
Decision Points on Health/Family Issues (DHF)
- DHF 1: Although Lee kept up an active exercise regimen through graduate school as a competitive runner, she struggles to find time for physical activity given a schedule of intense research and teaching.
- Lee keeps up her running schedule by finding another new faculty member in the same predicament who becomes a running buddy.
- Lee decides to switch to biking every day to work as it is easier to fit into her erratic schedule.
- Lee only exercises on some weekends.
- Explanation: It is important to balance work (an active research program, effective teaching, adequate service) with a satisfying personal life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a physical fitness component, enhances one's abilities to work and ought not to be sacrificed.
- A. gain 5 points in health and 5 points in allies
- B. gain 5 points in health
- C. 0 points
- DHF 2: Lee's widowed father is diagnosed with terminal cancer. His doctor estimates that her father, who lives at a distance and has no other close relatives, has three to six months to live.
- Lee asks her colleagues to help her manage classes on days she is out of town with her father.
- To nurse her father in his home, Lee asks for release from teaching under provisions of the active service-modified duties procedure and proposes to design a new specialty course in her area.
- Lee does not tell anyone about her father or ask for any accommodations.
- Explanation: The extreme circumstances of this situation justify asking for assistance from colleagues and/or the institution. If Lee does not ask for such help, there are likely costs incurred.
- A. gain 5 points in allies
- B. gain 5 points in teaching
- C. lose 5 points in health, lose 5 points in research
- DHF 3: Lee's apartment building goes condo. She must move further from the university, commit to buying a too expensive apartment, or share someone elseís place.
- Lee chooses to move and accepts a longer commute.
- Lee decides to buy her apartment, which allows her to continue biking to work, and takes on a big mortgage, anticipating a salary raise in the near future.
- Lee opts to become the roommate of another faculty member who has a large house near campus, so that she can continue biking to work.
- Explanation: Lee's first priority is research. But her housing choice should enhance her personal life without incurring a cost for her research schedule. Depending on her preferences, some factors--long drives, increased bills, sharing space--could be stressors and/or inhibit her research productivity.
- A. lose 2 points research, gain 5 points health
- B. lose 5 points health, gain 5 points research
- C. gain 5 points allies, gain 5 points health
- DHF 4: Lee realizes that some of the faculty members in her unit eat lunch together on a regular basis and often invite colleagues from other units to join in for what is mostly a social hour. When she is asked to join this group, she
- says she is too busy to eat lunch and that she eats at her desk
- agrees to join them, but only once
- decides to join the group on certain occasions
- Explanation: It's good to take a break on most days. Even if lunch seems like socializing, it is also about networking and doing business, as enhancing collaborations and gaining a greater understanding of one's colleagues within and outside the unit are likely outcomes.
- A. 0 points, lose 3 points allies
- B. gain 1 point allies
- C. gain 5 points allies, 5 points health
- DHF 5: Riding her bike to work, Lee is hit by a car and suffers a broken leg.
- Lee asks her colleagues to help her manage classes while she recuperates.
- To recuperate, Lee asks for release from teaching under provisions of the active service-modified duties procedure and proposes to design a new specialty course in her area.
- After missing one day of teaching, Lee arranges for car service, asks for a handicapped accessible classroom (reached by elevator), and continues to work during the term.
- Explanation: The extreme circumstances of this situation justify asking for assistance from colleagues and/or the institution. If Lee does not ask for such help, there are likely costs incurred.
- A. gain 5 points in allies
- B. gain 5 points in teaching
- C. lose 5 points in health, lose 5 points in research, gain 5 points teaching
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