Reading the Tea Leaves

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Reading the Tea Leaves
Discerning Your Path
Timing Career Moves

• Chris Maziar
• Vice President for Research and Dean of the
  Graduate School
• University of Minnesota

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Background as Disclosure

• Great Parentsno long-lasting ill effects evident
• Midwesternergrew up in small town Indiana
• Very attached to Z in last name
• ENTJN nearly off-scale
• Decided to be scientist in second grade
• Had no intention of being an engineer or going to
  Purdue
• Futile attempt to join campus revolutionary group
• Mary Margaret (aka Maggie), Tekla, Ignatius (aka
  Iggy) and Dominic (aka Neeko)
• Indulgent Aunt

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Beware what you wish for!
Some First Questions

• What do you want out of your effort?
• Does your work give you a sense of achievement?
• Are you happymost of the time?
• Can you get the tools to do the work you want to
  do?

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Key Decision Points

• Deciding to Get in the Game
• Seeking the PhD
• Choosing a specialty
• Choosing an advisor
• Academe or Industry
• Post-Doc
• Research 1 or Comprehensive
• Setting-up Research Program
• Getting Ready for Tenure
• Doing Something with Tenure
• Changing Research Directions
• Service through administration

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Listen to all kinds of folks

• Family and Friends may not understand your field
  but they know when youre happy!
• Colleagues with perspective on your field
• Value wisdom over titles

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Quotes from my Past

• There is no more exciting job than that of a
  full professor.Mrs. John Hancock
• Academic Administration is more of a call or
  vocation than something to aspire to.Bob
  Berdahl
• The faculty have the privilege to dislike the
  administration. The administration does not have
  the option to dislike the faculty.Henry Yang

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Be Prepared for Changes in Attitudes

• One day you are outstanding in your field.
• The next

Youre overhead.
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Deep Rootsboth Good and Bad

• Folks know you and not just the position
• Loyalty and loyalties come easily
• May not be as quick to see the opportunities for
  change
• May have fewer opportunities to learn new things

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Timethe Nonrenewable Resource

• En joy what you are doing
• Lack of time is chronic complaint among P3E
• Professionals Perched on the Pinnacles of
  Excellence
• Its a remarkable privilege to do our work

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Pondering a Move

• Is there a good team to work with?
• Is the place ready for change?
• Are there sufficient resources? Are the
  fundamentals sound?
• Do you have the energy, stamina and interest to
  commit 3-5 years?
• Is there good mission alignment?

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University of Minnesota
Founded in the Faith that We are Ennobled by
Understanding Dedicated to the Advancement of
Learning and the Search for Truth Devoted to the
Instruction of Youth and the Welfare of the State
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