| Abstract | Obtaining a degree in the field of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) is a challenging endeavor for many students. Graduate STEM students become experts at problem solving, designing research projects, and presenting their results at national conferences. Those students who decide to go into an academic career face a new and completely different challenge: Where do I start? How do I combine my skills to become a faculty member?
The logical answer for many of these students is the PFF (Preparing Future Faculty) program. PFF is a national initiative to prepare aspiring faculty members for their careers. It is designed to prepare graduate students for the multiple roles (research, teaching and service) they will face as faculty members.
ASU PFF students participate in a series of seminars, workshops, and reading groups, as well as work on cross-disciplinary committees to coordinate the PFF Guest Lecture Series. These activities provide students with the opportunity to interact with faculty, administrators, and other graduate students from a wide variety of academic disciplines and address topics such as:
- career paths and options in higher education
- teaching strategies and instructional technology
- securing research funding
- issues of diversity and inclusiveness
- preparing for the academic job search
- balancing teaching, research, and service responsibilities
- trends in higher education
ASU PFF prepares STEM students for academic careers on a step-by-step basis: from constructing their curriculum vitae, to completing the requirements to become a new faculty member. More than 52% of our graduates have gone on to academic careers, with a combined faculty and postdoctoral positions of 82.4%. This poster will discuss the PFF strategies to help STEM students prepare for the professoriate. |
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