How to Build a National Reputation for Academic Promotion

Abstract

Developing an outstanding local, regional, and ultimately, national or international reputation in an area of expertise is an essential component of advancement and promotion in most academic departments. For residents, getting off to a strong start by selecting a program with a positive track record of helping residents to successfully launch academic careers is an important first step to establishing a successful career. For faculty members, it is important to join departments that have supported the successful development of faculty who have attained reputations of excellence, value mentorship and are equipped to provide the necessary resources and time to facilitate your career development. Once faculty members discover their unique academic passions, they are in a better position to focus on activities that will bring them the most satisfaction, which is the foundation necessary for establishing a record of academic excellence that fosters recognition in one’s field of interest. This chapter focuses on the following principles to help early career academicians best position themselves for academic success by seizing and capitalizing on opportunities as well as obstacles to avoid. Important guiding principles are: strive for excellence, not for reputation; be known as a good friend, classmate, and colleague first and foremost; learn to focus on what is most important to one’s academic passions and values, even if it means sometimes saying “no”; publish—often and well; network; volunteer; collaborate; reach out to others, including to faculty more junior than you and to the public.