8182006 New Faculty Workshop

1
What is it really like to be a faculty member at
UF ?
David Arnold Asst. Professor Electrical and
Computer Engineering
2
Faculty Life

• Advice from my former Ph.D. Advisor
• Read The Trial by Franz Kafka

3
The BAD News

• It can be
• Busy
• Finish prior commitments
• Write research proposals (no problem!)
• Publish papers (no problem!)
• Find and manage students (okay)
• Teach class (no problem!)
• Answer email (will it ever stop?)
• Serve on committees (hmm no one told me about
  this?)
• Come up with more good ideas (this is tough!)
• Call movers about that damaged furniture
• Follow up with your program manager
• Oh, is it time to go home already???

4
The BAD News

• It can be
• Stressful
• Plan and organize
• Dont fret over minute details
• Make sure you have some release (hobby,
  exercise, etc.)
• Frustrating
• Policies, procedures, paperwork, red tape
• Bruised ego
• Fitting in
• No football/basketball tickets!

5
The GOOD News

• But it really is
• Educational
• You learn old things
• You learn new things
• You learn things you didnt want to know
• Rewarding (especially the firsts)
• Your first class actually learns something
• Your first student presents a paper
• Your first proposal gets funded
• Your project gets externally recognized

6
The GOOD News

• But it really is
• Fun!
• Step back and think about what youre getting
  paid to do
• Create friendships with your colleagues
• Make it enjoyable