Summer Reflections: Crafting Your Academic Career Plan
Marina Silva-Opps
Empowering Academics to Build Resilience, Prevent Burnout, and Achieve Career and Entrepreneurial Goals; Strategic LinkedIn Profile Optimization; Expert in Strategic Career Transition and Professional Development.
As an academic, the pace of the semester can often feel relentless, with teaching, research, committee work, and other commitments all vying for attention. In the midst of this, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture:
??Where is my career heading?
??Am I achieving my personal and professional goals??
This is where the importance of reflection comes in. Taking the time to reflect on these questions allows us to gain a clearer perspective, reassess our goals, and develop a strategic plan to achieve them.
The summer months often provide an ideal opportunity for this kind of deep reflection. With teaching and committee work usually on pause, we have a chance to step back and take stock. The slower pace allows us to reassess where we are in our careers, what we've achieved, and where we want to go.
With this in mind, I have designed two 6-week reflection plans: one for new academics and one for those at the mid-career stage. These plans ask you to dedicate 20-40 minutes per day to focus on your career and life goals, allowing you to understand where you are now and how you can implement changes if necessary.?
A plan for new professors, lecturers, or assistant professors
A plan for mid-career professors or associate professors
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For both new and mid-career academics:
1??Daily journaling can be a powerful tool to track your thoughts and progress.
2??Use the time efficiently by focusing on a particular topic each day and limiting your journaling to key points and reflections.
3??Remember to revisit and review your entries at the end of each week to understand your progress better and plan for the next week.
Let's be honest, we all know that self-reflection can be a challenging process, particularly when trying to juggle multiple responsibilities. It requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to take a hard look at our current situation. But remember, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. As an academic career coach, I am here to guide you through the process, providing feedback and strategies to help you make the most of your reflection.
If you feel that you might need assistance in this journey, please FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT. Whether you need help setting goals, developing an action plan, or simply need a sounding board, I am here to help.
It's never too late to start reflecting and planning for the future, and with an academic coach, the process could be streamlined and even shortened. So why wait? Take the first step today, and set yourself on the path to a more fulfilling academic career.
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