2025 Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences Workshop
August 4-8, 2025, from 8am - 11am PT | 9am - 12pm MT | 10am - 1pm CT | 11am - 2pm ET each day

Overview
Securing a position and being successful in academia can seem daunting. Further, the universe of academic career options in the geosciences looks overwhelming. The Preparing for an Academic Career in the Geosciences workshop has been designed to confront these concerns and discuss tips, strategies, and coping mechanisms for success in teaching and research in academia from a variety of geoscience professionals at a range of institutions.
What kind of institution is right for you? How can you craft the strongest research and teaching statements to land an interview? What does it take to get your first grant? What does it take to succeed as a teacher? How do you stay focused and keep your lab and classes motivated so you can meet criteria for tenure? The workshop will provide a stimulating and resource-rich environment in which to explore these kinds of questions and other important facets of an academic career.
Faculty members and administrators will provide guidance and information that will help participants to be stronger candidates for academic positions and to succeed in academic jobs. Session topics focus on becoming both a successful teacher and researcher. Each participant will develop or revise a plan for the next career stage and will take home ideas to improve teaching immediately.
- Note: We have also developed a set of online resources for those who are preparing for an academic career in the geosciences. These web pages focus on the job search process, preparing to teach, and moving your research forward. You do not have to attend the workshop to view these pages.
- View past Preparing for an Academic Career Workshop pages
Learn more about this workshop »
Who should participate?
This workshop is designed specifically for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and others who are interested in pursuing academic careers in the geosciences (including geology, geochemistry, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, geography, environmental science, and other allied disciplines). We recommend faculty members already in a full-time faculty position consider attending the Workshop for Early Career Geoscience Faculty instead.
Dates and Details
The workshop will be held over Zoom on each day, August 4-8, 2025, from 8 am - 11 am PT | 9 am - 12 pm MT | 10 am - 1 pm CT | 11 am - 2 pm ET
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, July 30th, 2025
The cost to participate is $120 for NAGT members and $175 for non-members. Join NAGT now to get the member discount!
(Student memberships are $35, Post doc memberships are $85))
Workshop Leaders
Staff
Holly Kelchner, Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College