Academic Careers: Negotiating and Advancing Within the Physical Therapy Profession
There is an ever-growing need for physical therapy researchers and educators; however, understanding the pathway that leads to this career can be daunting. Furthermore, once engaged in an academic career, faculty face pressure to advance. In this panel presentation and discussion, attendees will learn successful strategies to acquire, retain, and promote within an academic position. Speakers will outline the process to search, interview for, and then negotiate an academic research or teaching position. Presenters also will discuss the promotion and tenure process for both research and teaching faculty pathways. Therapists will take away helpful tips and critical steps to consider during each process for success. A panel including both junior and senior faculty, as well as faculty with administrative oversight of both hiring and promotion and tenure processes, will address attendees' questions and provide advice. Sponsored by the Early Career Researchers SIG, the session will be of interest and benefit to postprofessional graduates in search of an academic position, clinicians considering joining as teaching faculty, students debating postprofessional education, and faculty preparing for promotion and tenure review.