As someone aiming to pursue a PhD, I am grateful to be working in academia as a lecturer. This has given me the opportunity to experience the realities of academia from a faculty perspective, highlighting the need to balance teaching alongside research and administrative responsibilities, the importance of organisati<\/p>\n
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onal skills from my email to the virtual learning environment I use (Canvas), and the value of investing in the student experience.<\/p>\n
My career journey was not so straightforward. If there is one lesson I learned during my time at Kent, it was to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way; if the opportunity was not present, I would be proactive in creating them through networking or through support and guidance from the university. As proof of this, I made a speculative application for this academic role. Even though there were no vacancies advertised for months, I decided to apply anyway. To do this, I had to ensure that my CV and application were tailored to the roles; further, I had to be proactive in growing my network at the university I was applying to.<\/p>\n
I also considered how to pitch myself effectively as an applicant. Upon the suggestion of my supervisor, I underlined my willingness to broaden what I would be able to teach. Although my research focus is on 20th<\/sup> century modernist poetry, for instance, I emphasised during interviews and in\u00a0my CV that I could teach modules outside, but cognate to, my own research areas.<\/p>\n Now in my current role, I teach an introductory module about close reading literature. More broadly, I am also teaching modules about: communication and the critical analyses of different mediums of texts; and narratives and ideologies, framed through a world-literary lens of resources.<\/p>\n Support from the Careers & Employability Service and academic staff<\/strong><\/p>\n Due to the short one-year span of a Master\u2019s programme, I utilised the Careers & Employability Service (CES)<\/a> to kickstart discussions about my career ambitions, particularly through the 45-minute Careers Advice sessions. Going into detail about this helped me think about what options were suitable for me. Furthermore, this helped demystify what the process and steps would be for me to progress in my career aspirations.<\/p>\n After graduating, I spent time developing applications for universities in the Philippines. I remained in contact with CES (recent graduates of up to three years are able to access their support), as I wanted further guidance and support to make a strong application. During this time, I was able to meet with Helen Johnson online where we discussed an upcoming interview and ideas about a teaching demonstration as part of the application process. Even though my job is outside the UK, the advice and suggestions were applicable in thinking about what employers would be looking for during the teaching demonstration, as well as in negotiating a possible job offer.<\/p>\n I am especially indebted to my referees, Dr Claire Hurley and Dr Ryan Perry, whose genuine support and knowledge of my academic skills and potential were instrumental in getting this job. The support that students have from both the academic and professional services make a huge difference in developing the confidence and the positive attributes necessary to flourish in the workplace.<\/p>\n Final Advice<\/strong><\/p>\n When I was a research student at Kent, I concentrated on participating in activities that would help me develop<\/a> in my academic prospects. Now in my first academic job, I greatly value the importance of these activities, such as presenting at academic conferences, editing the university\u2019s graduate peer-reviewed literary journal (Litterae Mentis<\/em>), and contributing to the Templeman Library\u2019s exhibit on T. S. Eliot and \u2018The Waste Land\u2019.<\/p>\n As such, if I can give any advice to students, it is to be proactive and to engage in co-curricular activities, volunteering, part-time jobs, and representation alongside your degree, even as a postgraduate. For research students<\/a>, I would encourage you to share your ideas, to present at conferences, and to be part of the wider research community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"