Thread by @_Lindsay_Allen

Finally threading my tips for junior faculty success, from my talk @AcademyHealth #ARM19

Important caveat: Success is subjective. My definition is doing important/rigorous work, earning peer respect, & meeting goals toward/beyond tenure, while always putting my family first.

First, thanks to my fellow presenters Ben Sommers, @lauragotmd, Tim Huerta, & @ChrisHarle . Second, I owe much of the content here from conversations/Tweets with all-stars like @bradfowd1, @christopherruhm, @Shooshan5, and @valeriealewis. Thank you! Here goes:

Goal: Be EXCELLENT in Research

1. Develop a cohesive research portfolio/agenda. You want to show that you are advancing the field in a few distinct subject areas - that requires commitment to and depth in those areas. Think *beyond* tenure. What do you want your work to DO?

2. Manage your time by setting goals for the year, then work backward to fill in your weekly/monthly calendar. Frequently assess whether your share of time spent on research, teaching, and service = expectations from your institution (or the institution to which you aspire!)

3. Set up a formal or informal network of mentors, with a variety of perspectives represented.

What do mentors do? In part:
- introduce you at conferences
- read early drafts
- suggest grant mechanisms & journal outlets
- provide guidance on tricky professional situations

4. Cultivate humility. You are very smart - but you don't know everything. Hear 👂👂 what others are saying when they provide comments. They are likely strengthening your work & improving your chances of success. There is a fine line between useful confidence & harmful arrogance.

5. Coauthor strategically. Save time & energy by knowing/capitalizing on your strengths, & partnering with people who are strong where you are weak. Have authorship conversations EARLY on. Protect your needs while respecting those of others.

6. On grants:
- diversify your funding portfolio w/ in-house funding, 5% contributions, & larger roles
- seek opportunities appropriate for your career stage (e.g., ESIs get preference at some NIH agencies)
- Use your resources; e.g., @WVUHealth has "Tweak my Aims" & R Clubs

Goal: Be EXCELLENT at Teaching

1. When possible, focus on discussion. Let students know you don't mind if they're wrong, but you do mind if they aren't engaging during class. Respect that engagement looks different for introverts & extroverts - offer opportunities for both.

2. Manage your time: set one day for teaching responsibilities (prep, grading, & office hours). Let students know when they can expect you to answer emails (e.g. 2x a day & never on weekends). Give them a list of "check first" resources: syllabus, their text, Google, the TA.

3. Make things as easy as possible on yourself & the students. Don't try to prescribe every second of a class session - it curtails useful tangents & conversation. Give the students the resources they need to succeed (e.g., why ever withhold formulas on an exam?).

Goal: Be UTTERLY AVERAGE in Service

1. Choose service as strategically as possible. You have a low service requirement, relative to teaching/research. Say yes to opportunities that will help you network (e.g., search committees, speaker series) and magnify your name recognition.

2. Say no to opportunities that will overload you and steal focus from priorities.

Here's how:
"As junior faculty, I'm expected to focus more on XX ..."
"I'll have more time next semester; does that work with your time frame?"
"I have a contact who's a better fit for this..."

Miscellaneous Major Lessons:

1. Develop, broadcast, and lean into your brand (everything from your research topics to what you wear). It'll minimize the mental costs of decision making.

2. Make things easy on yourself. Delegate with diplomacy and leverage all available resources.

3. STAY POSITIVE. This is the best job in the world. If it's not fun, change your work or your attitude. Adopting a "win or learn" mindset.

Now go get 'em, 🐯!!

🔚