Section: Academic Careers

Academic Careers Week

October 8 - 11, 2012

Academic Careers Week Handouts

Writing your Cover Letter & CV
Monday October 8 - 12:00-1:00pm Doheny Memorial Library - DML 240

Presented by:
Tara McPherson, Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts, CET Faculty Fellow
John Walsh, Associate Professor of Gerontology, CET Distinguished Faculty Fellow

Putting together a cover letter and CV can be a daunting task. How will yours stand out among all the other applicants? Professor Sally Pratt from the Slavic Languages & Literatures department and Professor Geoff Spedding from the Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering department will provide insight into what faculty look for when they review cover letters and CVs.

Event Archive: Click here to Watch Presentation Materials: Click here to Download the PowerPoints


Instant Contact: How to Shine in 1 or 2 Minutes on your Interview Day
Tuesday October 9 - 12:30-1:30pm Doheny Memorial Library - DML 240

Presented by:
Steven Ross, Professor of History, CET Faculty Fellow

On your interview day you will meet many people and only have a minute or two to explain to them your academic interests. This program will allow you to practice! History professor and CET Faculty Fellow, Steven Ross will provide a brief overview of what to expect on your interview day. Following this, you will break into small groups, where you will have a chance to explain your research interests in a short one or two minute description. The members of your small group along with a USC faculty member will provide constructive comments on your short description.

Event Archive: Click here to Watch


Negotiating the Academic Job Offer
Wednesday October 10 - 12:00-1:00pm Doheny Memorial Library - DML 240

Presented by:
Dani Byrd, Vice Dean for Faculty and Research Professor
Bruce Zuckerman, Professor of Religion, CET Distinguished Fellow
Ian Ehrenreich, Asst. Professor of Molecular Biology

You’ve been made an offer! Now what? How does one go about negotiating an academic job offer? A panel including Michael Quick, Professor of Biological Sciences & Executive Vice Dean of the USC College, Bruce Zuckerman, Professor of Religion, and Lacey Donohue from the College Writing Program share their experiences with negotiating academic job offers.


Drafting your Teaching Philosophy / Research Statement
Thursday October 11 - 12:30-1:30pm Doheny Memorial Library - DML 240

Presented by:
 Armand Tanguay, Jr., Professor of Electrical Engineering/Electrophysics, CET Distinguished Fellow

How does one go about articulating a teaching philosophy and a research statement? How are these documents used by search committees? Professor Armand Tanguay, Jr. from the Viterbi School of Engineering share his insights on crafting these two documents.

Event Archive: Click here to Watch Presentation Materials: Click here to Download the PowerPoint

Click on a link below for resources about specific topics: