For several years Career Services has organized two academic career series for doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows: the Academic Career Conference held in the fall and Faculty Conversations on the Academic Job Search and Academic Life held in the spring semester. The speakers featured in these programs are members of the faculty and the administration. This year more than ten Penn faculty from many departments and several administrators, including the President, took the time to speak on such topics as interviewing, how a search committee operates, negotiating offers, understanding tenure, life in the academy and "having a life." Many others who were asked but had conflicts offered to speak at another time. And five faculty members from other institutions also participated.

For future academics, the importance of hearing faculty members speak on these topics cannot be underestimated. Doctoral students are very grateful for the chance to hear about issues that are or will soon be real concerns and to ask questions about them. Faculty speakers often find it enjoyable to present and discuss these issues with students from various disciplines.