Why you shouldn't list your GPA on your CV or LinkedIn

Transitioning from Fellowship to Faculty – Tips and Tricks: Job Offer through Contracts Moving from fellowship to your first faculty position can be exciting — and overwhelming. This session offers practical guidance on how to evaluate job offers, navigate contract terms, and set yourself up for long-term success. 💡 Hear expert advice from experienced faculty and get the insights you need to confidently take the next step in your career. https://lnkd.in/eAGWTnPv

My new article in The Review of Higher Education (RHE) is now live! I show that highly "employable" majors pay off for graduates even in the absence of technical skill use. As a result, I advance a conceptual framework that views majors as unique sites of cultural value. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/eUsRJAwf

One experience I had was when I was assigned to be the supplemental instructor for the afterschool writing workshop for the Brooklyn College SEEK program this past summer. I was assigned to be the instructor for the afterschool writing workshop despite not having any teaching licenses or teaching certifications. Therefore, I took the steps to encourage incoming freshmen students on how to choose a career effectively. I told freshmen to look into the major fair, have a career talk with their guidance counselor, and to be careful to choose what major, minor, or concentration they should specialize in. I told them that some majors may pay well then others due to having select technical or academic skills, but in the end of the day it boils down to what you are able to do and whether you are able to find the demand for your specialized skills. I told students that beyond your academic life, your health is what matters the most. I also told them that you should be prepared for hardship, and most importantly, always improvise, improve, and adapt to your situations and failures. Whether your career is in STEM, business, or humanities, everyone should strive to network with people in their career to find the best opportunities for themselves.

I’m excited to have been invited to give a talk today on applying for academic jobs at the Imagining Better Education Conference at Durham University this afternoon. I was incredibly fortunate to have had a fantastic PhD supervision team, mentors, and colleagues who guided me through mock interviews, job talk preparation, and reviewed drafts of my application materials when I applied for my first faculty post. But I was also equally fortunate to have had advice and guidance right at the start when I decided to pursue an academic career of what skills I needed to build to be competitive but also the realities of academia and the job market. Since then, serving on multiple hiring committees has provided important insights into the realities of the current academic job market, and what it takes to secure a faculty or postdoctoral position today. Now more than ever, we need to be transparent with PhD students about the job market, what the process of getting an academic job involves and how to strategically prepare for it from the start of the PhD, and not just at the end. Today’s session will focus on that! How to start thinking about career goals early, and how to plan for them throughout the PhD to position oneself competitively for the job market (whether academic, alt-ac, or industry).

How can we best prepare all high school students for the world they’re entering? College Board and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are answering that question with AP Career Kickstart—a groundbreaking collaboration between education and business. These AP career courses equip students with in-depth learning and professional skills that open multiple pathways after high school. Read more: http://spr.ly/6040Aq1xA

🚨 Before You Click “Submit,” Pause and Ask Yourself These 5 Key Questions Submitting your graduate school application is a big step, don’t rush it. Take a moment to review and be sure everything is in order. Ask yourself these key questions: ✅ Research Alignment: Is the department’s ongoing research area truly aligned with my academic interests and professional goals? ✅ Requirements Check: Have I met all the graduate school and departmental application requirements? ✅ Academic Standing: Does my CGPA meet or exceed the program’s minimum requirement? ✅ Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose: Have I clearly articulated my motivation, academic background, relevant experience, research interests, and future goals? ✅ CV / Résumé: Is my CV well formatted (professional font, justified text, consistent layout)? Have I properly highlighted my roles, responsibilities, achievements, and research contributions? Taking a few extra minutes to cross-check these details can make all the difference in your application’s success. #GraduateApplications #StudyAbroad #MastersApplication #PhDApplication #AcademicGoals #PersonalStatement #ResearchFit #Scholarships #GradSchoolJourney #HigherEducation #ApplicationTips

Not all recommendation letters are created equal. A strong LOR can elevate your entire application, but a weak or generic one can do the opposite. Here’s what truly makes a recommendation letter stand out in global admissions: → Choose the right recommender - someone who knows your academic journey, work ethic, and strengths, not just your grades. → Make it personal - universities can instantly spot generic letters. Strong LORs include real examples: leading a project, excelling under pressure, or contributing meaningfully in class or on campus. → Show measurable achievements - improved grades, research outcomes, awards, leadership roles, or quantifiable results from internships add credibility. → Highlight growth with honesty - the best LORs show how you’ve overcome challenges, developed skills, and grown—not just praise without depth. A quick checklist to ensure quality: → Is it on official letterhead, signed, and dated? → Is it tailored to the specific program? → Does it clearly explain how long the recommender has known you and in what capacity? A bonus tip: share your CV and target course details with your recommender. It helps them write a letter that is both personal and relevant. → Save this post and share it with your recommenders, because a strong LOR can open doors worldwide. #LORtips #StudyAbroad2025 Mrinalini Batra

Night 1 of the NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC JOB SEARCH BOOTCAMP (COHORT 1!) is in the books! Last night, we kicked off our multi-day, high-impact bootcamp designed to help scholars approach the academic job market with clarity, confidence, and community. Our focus for  DAY 1: DECODING THE HIGHER ED JOB MARKET. We laid the foundation by breaking down not only the culture of academic hiring but also the specific challenges and opportunities of the 2025–26 search cycle. As many institutions navigate budget shifts, political pressures, and evolving policies, job seekers need more than strong materials. They need strategy. We explored: ✅ HOW UNIVERSITIES ARE STRUCTURED—AND WHY IT MATTERS We broke down the pillars of university administration, explored institutional types (R1s, CCs, MSIs), and mapped out key role pathways so candidates can tailor their strategy to what institutions actually value. ✅ WHY THE ACADEMIC JOB MARKET ISN’T A MERITOCRACY We explored the hidden dynamics—like internal hires, unspoken norms, and structural privilege—that shape who gets hired (and who doesn’t). ✅WHAT’S CHANGING IN THE 2025–26 CYCLE From field-specific trends to shifting state policies, we examined how politics, budgets, and demographics are reshaping the landscape. ✅POSITIONING YOURSELF ACROSS INSTITUTION TYPES We discussed how to frame the candidate's strengths for different environments—from R1s to regional comprehensives to community colleges. We’re combining real-time guidance, expert frameworks, and peer support to demystify the process and help every participant craft a search that aligns with their goals and values. I’m looking forward to today’s session: DECODING THE CULTURE BEHIND THE JOB POSTING where we will unpack the hidden signals, power dynamics, and institutional fit cues embedded in every ad because what’s not said is often just as important as what is. Missed this round? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started. 🎓 Join the Waitlist for Academic Job Search Bootcamp – Cohort 2 Be the first to access early enrollment, updates, and exclusive bonuses when the next round opens. 🔗https://lnkd.in/eUNdkwkP

Here’s How to Win Scholarships! => Research Smart – Target scholarships that match your goals => Personalize – Tailor your statement & CV for each application => Show Academic Strength – Highlight grades & relevant experience => Get Strong References – Ask mentors who know your work => Tell Your Story – Be clear, passionate & future-focused => Beat Deadlines – Submit early & error-free => Prep for Interviews – Practice & be authentic => Stay Organized – Track apps & apply widely *** Tip: Apply through official portals & seek feedback from advisors!

😟Worried about choosing the "right" college major? You're not alone. Here's something that might surprise you: today's graduates may change careers (not just jobs!) up to 9 times in their lifetime. In my latest blog post, I'm sharing why following your interests and abilities—rather than chasing "safe" majors—actually leads to better outcomes, both in college and beyond. ✨Plus, practical tips for students navigating this stressful decision.✨ 🎓Read more: https://lnkd.in/dGnpmA4G #CollegeAdmissions #CollegePlanning #EducationalConsulting #CollegeMajor #CareerPlanning #HighSchoolStudents #CollegeAdvice