The Role of the Curriculum Vitae in Academic Life

The following is a presentation created by Diane J. Mick PhD RN CCNS GNP FNAP. It was designed to:

Articulate strategies for developing an effective CV Outline elements of a carefully constructed CV Differentiate items that belong on a CV from those that do not It's a fast scan and a great guide to review before you put together your CV.

What is the role of the CV?

The CV is a:

Formal record of one's progress on the academic ladder The centerpiece of the academic review process

What's good about your CV?

Consider your CV as a:

Tool for self-assessment Source of positive encouragement when your path deviates from the "Big Plan"

Why do you need to keep an updated CV?

You will be asked for it frequently for:

Job applications Speaking engagements Introductions

Getting started

Consult with the person in your department who is responsible for the academic review process Find out whether your institution has a required CV format Ask more senior colleagues (faculty) for copies of their CVs

Design considerations

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Be conservative Keep it in perspective. The length of your CV is not an accurate indicator of your worth as a person. Avoid Fancy paper Multiple colors Spiffy fonts Embedded photographs Other desktop publishing marvels

Elements of a CV

Demographic information

Education Research interest and research support Accomplishments relevant to your professional career Intramural and extramural professional activities Invited speaking engagements Teaching and other educational activities

Demographics

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Do not include: Date and place of birth Marital status Number, gender, and ages of your children Political leanings Religious tendencies Social security number Do include: Post-secondary education Degrees Licensure's Certifications Chronological listing of employment following post-secondary education Academic titles Administrative titles

Research Interests and Research Support

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Limit this section to a few terse statements about your major area of interest. It should be just a line or two, not a full-scale description. Statements should be analogous to global specific aims of a grant application Advertise general direction Allow titles of your published work to convey the details List amounts, dates or duration, and titles of awards you have received as the Primary Investigator (PI) Early in your career, list all research support, including individual fellowships to establish a funding history When listing awards on which you are Co-Investigator or Consultant, be scrupulous about identifying the PI

Professional Accomplishments

List awards and honors relevant to your professional career Prizes for research or teaching Elected memberships in scholarly societies (it's okay to list awards for volunteerism, but avoid activities like Eagle Scout, PTA Parent of the Year, etc.

Professional Activities

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Describe how you contribute to your institution and to your health care specialty Distinguish between service to a divisional education committee from service to a campus-wide group Include peer-review involvement Grant reviewer Editorial board member Study section member Include dates of service and your precise role

Invited Speaking Engagements

Invitations provide evidence of your reputation outside your own institution Critical criterion for advancement in academia Include title of presentation, audience, location and date

Teaching

Course load, contact hours, #s of students Guest lectures in other courses Outline course titles, dates, description of your role in course leadership, design, or development Tutorial and/or advisory services Thesis and dissertation advisement

Paper in preparation as a promissory note

Can backfire, if it remains on your CV for too long -- it can look like padding Submitted is okay (it's not necessary to identify the journal)

NIH Biosketch

Keep an updated copy of an NIH biosketch along with your CV A biosketch forces you to pare down

Updates

Update at least quarterly Update when you have published a paper, given a presentation, etc.

References

Barrett, K. E. (2002). Preparing your curriculum vitae. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 34, 362-365. Hinck, S. M. (1997). A curriculum vitae that gives you a competitive edge.Clinical Nurse Specialist, 11, 174-177.