A Course To Prepare Future Faculty in Chemistry: Perspectives from Former Participants

Abstract

In 2001, the ACS reported, â��The Ph.D. in chemistry usually prepares individuals for careers in basic research. The degree does not typically prepare these highly skilled research professionals to be faculty members.â� In 2004, a report of a workshop held at NSF noted that â��the purpose of the postdoctoral experience should â�¦ prepare postdocs for professional careers that are not solely as faculty members at research-intensive universities.â� For the past 10 years the UCLA Chemistry and Biochemistry department has addressed these issues through a Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) course for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars. To assess the long-term impact of the course, a questionnaire was sent to 91 people with whom we still had contact information and who had participated in the program between 1994 and 2002. From the 41% response rate, 86% (32) identified themselves as being in academic positions from the full range of types of higher education institutions. The survey revealed that all components of the seminar were helpful for the academic recruitment process and that some aspects continued to be useful for the respondents in their current faculty positions.