ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONALIZING YOUR CAREER

1
ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR INTERNATIONALIZING YOUR CAREER

• David J. Sammons
• Director, UF/IFAS International Programs

2
Big Question For The Day

• Why?

3
Excerpt from IFAS Tenure, Permanent Status, and
Promotion Document

• Item 21. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
• Please describe teaching, research, and service
  activities and their significance for the
  nominees scholarly career.

4
What does this mean?

• Faculty are expected to document an intentional
  and proactive effort to build global content into
  the accomplishment of professional
  responsibilities evidence of such commitment is
  valued by IFAS and the University of Florida.

5
Times Have Changed

• We now act on these principles
• A global element is critical to professional
  development
• International engagement is an expectation for
  professional advancement
• International prominence contributes to our
  institutional goal to achieve Top 10 status.

6
Evidence of the Importance of International
Engagement?

• IFAS now includes a statement about the
  desirability of international experience in
  position descriptions as part of the search and
  screen process.
• IFAS now requires a chapter on international
  engagement as a part of departmental reviews.

7
Evidence of the Importance of International
Engagement?

• IFAS houses an office of International Programs
  with 4.5 FTE to provide the leadership and
  visibility required for international engagement
  across our mission areas.

8
I started with the question Why?

• Only part of the answer resides in the
  promotion/tenure process, career advancement, and
  institutional prominence.
• It is also important to note in response to this
  question that
• INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT IS THE RIGHT THING TO
  DO!

9
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
BECAUSE

• Such activity raises our institutional profile as
  global players
• It opens new and challenging opportunities for
  our faculty, staff, and students
• It expands our educational and research capacity
  through exposure to circumstances, challenges,
  issues, and questions of global significance.

10
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
BECAUSE

• It directs our institutional capacity and
  resources to the solution of global problems that
  impact us here at home
• It recognizes that knowledge, the currency that
  defines a university, does not reside entirely in
  Florida or the United States
• It affirms that borders are of diminishing
  significance in a globalized world

11
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO
BECAUSE

• It contributes to making the world a better place
  through the generation, application, and
  dissemination of knowledge in the global arena
• And, perhaps most importantly, it can lead to
  personal satisfaction and professional
  fulfillment.

12
Summary Validation for International Engagement

• Contributes to professional growth and
  advancement
• Makes UF a better institution
• Expands our educational and research missions
  beyond the states borders
• Contributes to making a better world
• Provides opportunities for personal satisfaction
  and fulfillment

13
Organization of Todays Program

• Perspectives of IFAS administrative leadership on
  international efforts
• UF/IFAS faculty experiences internationally
• Campus level support for international engagement
• Grants and funding opportunities
• Open discussion QA