Going Alt-Ac: A Guide to Alternative Academic Careers

By: Kevin Kelly and Kathryn E. Linder and Thomas J. Tobin

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Synopsis: A growing number of people completing or holding graduate degrees now seek non-faculty positions—also called alternative academic, or “alt-ac” positions—at different stages in their careers. While an increasing number of people with doctoral degrees are hunting for a diminishing pool of tenure-track faculty jobs, most degree-granting institutions do not adequately prepare their graduate students to enter the new reality of the alt-ac job market. Yet the administrative ranks in higher education institutions are growing, as colleges and universities are creating a diverse range of positions that support teaching and learning efforts.Focusing on the range of potential alternative career choices, this highly practical book offers tools and prompts for readers who are:·Considering whether to choose an alt-ac career path·Seeking specific alt-ac positions·Advising graduate students or mentoring recent professional graduates·Encountering alt-ac career challengesThe authors offer case stories—their own and those of colleagues across North America in alt-ac roles—with concrete examples designed to help readers pursue, obtain, and excel in a wide variety of alt-ac positions. The book can equally be used as a resource for graduate courses on professional development and job-market preparation.