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Post by aprof on Feb 10, 2015 17:51:40 GMT -5
I am an assistant professor on my first year. I was wondering if people with more experience could speak to whether it is worthwhile serving on ASA section committees. Obviously some committees are fairly hard to get into (i.e., require elections, etc), but there are some that are fairly trivial. Specifically, my question is whether is worthwhile trying to serve on these things this early on the tenure track. I bet they can be good socialization/networking opportunities, but are they worth the effort?
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styles
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by styles on Feb 10, 2015 21:27:51 GMT -5
Although the networking and national service are important considerations, you can get the former by attending and/or presenting your research at meetings. You definitely want people to know who you are and be aware of your work when it comes time to constructing your external review list (keeping arms-length of course) come tenure time.
I would ask your department Chair what the department, college and university expectations are regarding service (at the department, college/university and national levels). Although national service is expected at my institution for advancement to Full it is not expected to Associate. Actually our department protects junior faculty with limited service, departmental or otherwise (to the extent that it can).
As with most things, it’s not necessary a yes/no issue but rather a balancing act. At the end of the day you need to be spending your and effort on what gets weighted most for tenure at your institution. At R1 and R2, it’s not usually service.
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Post by Do it on Feb 10, 2015 22:31:20 GMT -5
Having been involved with two different sections, I say it's a great way to network. All of a sudden you're in the room with and emailing with fancy pants section chairs. It's a fast track to name recognition, and the work involved is negligible.
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Post by Not worth it on Feb 11, 2015 22:18:54 GMT -5
I was a chair of a SSSP division and found the experience totally lame. You get to organize several sessions at a conference, help with newsletters and do other boring stuff. The connections are not worth the hassle for me, but some sucker has got to do the work. Keep writing and. Improving your teaching until you get tenure.
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