Biggest Challenges Faced by an Assistant Professor at University of California Riverside
The biggest challenge in Michael's role as an Assistant Professor is navigating the "really really hard" publication process, requiring a "thick skin" to handle criticism and rejection. Successfully incorporating valuable feedback while maintaining momentum and turning criticism into something productive is a key skill, and a difficult one to master in academia.
Overcoming Challenges, Resilience, Criticism, Publication Process, Academia
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Bates
Assistant Professor
University of California Riverside
University of Michigan
History & Economics Michigan State University, (PhD) "Michael Bates has over 6 years of experience in policy research, advising, and teaching across in the areas of labor economics, education, and econometrics.
Economics, History, Art History
Education
Education
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Dealing with criticism and rejection is crucial in academia, particularly during the publication process. Multiple rejections are common, requiring resilience and the ability to incorporate constructive feedback while discerning less valuable critiques.
2. Maintaining a positive attitude and momentum throughout the research and publication process is essential for success. Learning to manage setbacks and frustrations is a key skill.
3. The ability to handle criticism effectively, both in written feedback and during presentations, is a vital skill for academic professionals. Responding productively to criticism is a valuable skill to develop.
Transcript
What is the biggest challenge in your role?
I think the biggest challenge is probably taking criticism. The publication process is really, really hard.
Every paper you work on for several years, you get it to a point where you think it looks really good. You send it out to journals, and no matter what, it's going to be rejected a few times with a lot of feedback.
You have to have a bit of a thick skin and take that, incorporating the stuff that's valuable. Of course, there's also stuff that you disagree with and you'll be angry that they even wrote it, but trying to stay positive and keep the momentum going is probably the trickiest thing.
That happens also when you're giving seminars. People will be criticizing your approach, and being able to handle that on the fly is a skill that's difficult.