Handbook of Career Development in Academic Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Book excerpt: Working in academic psychiatry is fulfilling, replete with extraordinary colleagues and inspiring opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. Even so, getting started in an academic career can be a bit unsettling. After years of education, a new faculty member may feel unprepared for the everyday duties associated with a different academic role -- negotiating with the chair, writing letters of recommendation for students, participating on committees with colleagues, and balancing personal and professional life. The Handbook of Career Development in Academic Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Second Edition, provides real-world advice with compassion. Readers will find just what they need when they need it: step-by-step guidance to approaching the tasks and challenges that face them, questions to discuss with mentors and colleagues, and professionally vetted online career development resources. Readers will also hear the voice of sympathetic, experienced academic clinicians who share how best to navigate challenging situations encountered in academic settings. Each chapter features: Smart Strategies: A list of specific actions readers can take to reach their professional goals Questions to Discuss with a Mentor or a Colleague: A list of questions that simplifies and normalizes the process of soliciting career advice and assistance Additional Resources: A collection of the most recent and innovative websites, books, and articles that will assist readers on their career path, even after they've finished reading the book Readers who seek out the advice in this book will find that they are better equipped to forge their academic careers -- and flourish.