Going Alt-Ac: A Guide to Alternative Academic Careers

Going Alt-Ac: A Guide to Alternative Academic Careers

<p>A growing number of people completing or holding graduate degrees now seek non-faculty positions―also called alternative academic, or “alt-ac” positions―at different stages in their careers. While an increasing number of people with doctoral degrees are hunting for a diminishing pool of tenure-track faculty jobs, most degree-granting institutions do not adequately prepare their graduate students to enter the new reality of the alt-ac job market. Yet the administrative ranks in higher education institutions are growing, as colleges and universities are creating a diverse range of positions that support teaching and learning efforts.</p><p>Focusing on the range of potential alternative career choices, this highly practical book offers tools and prompts for readers who are:</p> <ul><li><p>Considering whether to choose an alt-ac career path</p></li><li><p>Seeking specific alt-ac positions</p></li><li><p>Advising graduate students or mentoring recent professional graduates</p></li><li><p>Encountering alt-ac career challenges</p></li></ul> <p>The authors offer case stories―their own and those of colleagues across North America in alt-ac roles―with concrete examples designed to help readers pursue, obtain, and excel in a wide variety of alt-ac positions. The book can equally be used as a resource for graduate courses on professional development and job-market preparation.</p>