The (international) academic job market- How to position yourself for success
By: Kerri Bodin (NASSM Student Representative) and Guangzhou Chen (November Student Engagement Session Organizer)
The NASSM Student Engagement Initiative was established in 2020 as a way for NASSM students to access professional development and networking opportunities year-round. Sessions are hosted monthly by NASSM student representatives, and each covers a timely and relevant topic for sport management students. For more information on how NASSM student representatives go about planning and hosting these sessions, check out Swarali Patil’s recent blog post here.
The most recent iteration of the NASSM student engagement initiative, the November 2021 session, was organized and hosted by Guangzhou Chen, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Guangzhou is currently the student representative on the NASSM Conference Committee.
The November engagement session, called “The (international) academic job market: How to position yourself for success” was focused on tips and tricks for the faculty job search. Given the session topic, this was tailored for graduate students at the end of their PhDs, however students at all stages of graduate studies were encouraged to attend. 57 total students registered to attend the session.
The session started off by introducing each of the five faculty member panelists; Dr. Alison Doherty (Western University), Dr. Timothy Kellison (Georgia State University), Dr. Natalie Smith (East Tennessee State University), Dr. Jeffrey Farr (Frostburg State University), and Dr. NaRi Shin (University of Connecticut). Each panelist brought a variety of experiences to the panel. While some had extensive search committee experience, others could speak to their recent experience job searching and navigating the market. Finally, we heard some great tips for international students as well as insight from a variety of institution types (e.g., R1, R2, teaching). Key takeaways and highlights from the rest of the session are provided below.
Key Takeaways
Demonstrate that you are a “good fit”
Make sure your application materials are tailored to the specific job posting and demonstrate that you have done your homework in terms of the school, department, and “fit”.
Your CV is a standard document, but your cover letter and other materials need to be tailored to the job posting, institution, and/or department
Articulate how you will contribute to the institution/department - search committees are often looking for someone that understands the institution, department, and city
It may be tempting to apply for everything, but make sure you actually want the job or to live in the city in which the institution is located
Be prepared and maintain professionalism
Do fill out all online application forms needed because HR may exclude your application if anything is missing
Revise, revise, revise! Have someone read your written documents and provide feedback to avoid any typos
Remember to stay professional during the interview, campus visit, job talk portion of the process
Distribute your attention equally to all members of the search committee as well as those individuals you meet during the campus visit
Prepare questions to ask those that you meet during the interview process – this demonstrates that you are engaged and interested in the institution
Be prepared to speak about topics that were asked about in the job posting (e.g., equity, diversity, and inclusion)
Know yourself and highlight your skills
Search committees look at all candidates equally, regardless of international student status or other factors, so be confident in your application and the strengths you bring to the table (e.g., language skills, global perspectives, international networks)
Monitor how you present yourself, but above all be authentic! You bring skills and experience to the table that are valuable
Before applying for jobs and going on the market reflect on what you want out of a job and a potential institution; this will help tailor your search and help you find the best fit!
Additional Resources
Are you looking for an academic job? There are a number of websites and platforms that list higher education job postings in sport management and related fields. These include, but are not limited to;
For a complete version of the notes from the November 2021 Student Engagement Initiative session, please email students@nassm.org. For more details on the NASSM Student Engagement Initiative, please visit NASSM.org. To register for upcoming NASSM Engagement Initiative sessions, please follow NASSM on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
The NASSM Student Board also hosts activities at the annual NASSM Conference. Stay tuned for more info on mentor programs, student socials, and the student symposium. We look forward to seeing you at our future sessions and connecting in-person in Atlanta!