Strategies for Success: The Long Game

Adopting a “promotion mindset” from the beginning of an academic career starts with ensuring appointment to the optimal rank and track. Sustaining progress toward promotion requires a realistic career plan that is modulated as necessary based on regular reviews, appropriate advice and mentoring, individualized faculty development, opportunities to build academic credentials, and consistent documentation. Faculty members need to be well-informed about the expectations for academic promotion in their schools and to seek opportunities in routine activities to enhance their promotions credentials, including scholarship. Many clinical and educational activities have scholarship potential if carefully planned, conducted, and reported. External advisors and national organizations can be important resources in developing an academic career and advancing toward promotion. Maintaining appropriate records is essential, both to monitor progress and to secure the data needed for promotion.