A Narrative on Career Transitions in Academic Psychiatry

Abstract

Navigating and negotiating the stages from instructor to assistant, associate, and full professor to chair is an exciting, if at times exhausting, journey. Becoming a member of an academic department has the allure, and burden, of participating in, and supporting a community of scholars. In addition to proceeding through their career considerations, faculty members go through their own adult developmental stages. Suggested issues to consider that may enhance faculty members' opportunities in academia are listed. The tenure rules and the culture of each department, plus the priorities of the chair, become important when choosing to invest in a new department.

Keywords: Academic career; Adult development; Fitting in; Salaries; Time management; Transitions.