The Association for Jewish Studies is pleased to offer new professional development opportunities. All members are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to early-career scholars, contingent faculty, and individuals from underrepresented communities (women, LGBTQ, scholars of color, and scholars with disabilities). Beginning in early 2020, the AJS is introducing three pilot programs: 1) free one-on-one career consulting with The Professor Is In, 2) a mentorship program with mentors and mentees from a diversity of backgrounds and career trajectories, and 3) a partial subvention towards the cost of a one-day Op-Ed writing workshop sponsored by The Op-Ed Project.
Space is limited in each program. Although AJS members may apply to all three initiatives, they may only be selected for one program to ensure that as many members as possible have access to professional development. The AJS cannot guarantee that all who apply will be selected to participate, but it will do its best to accommodate applicants.
Services offered by The Professor Is In include:
• an "interview intervention" or mock-interview ahead of a preliminary job interview
• a "campus visit intervention" or mock-interview ahead of on-campus interviews
• access to the Unstuck Productivity Program to assist with writing productivity
• a 30-minute Skype consultation
• two edits of a job document, such as a cover letter or resume
The AJS can provide these free services, valued at more than $200 each, to 25 members. Applications will be received on a rolling basis until slots are full, but the AJS encourages you to apply early.
Following the success of the AJS Conference Mentorship Program, the AJS is now launching a year-round mentorship program to support early-career scholars and contingent faculty. This pilot program will run from late February through July and will match 10 mentees with 10 mentors. The pairs will meet (virtually, by phone, or in person-depending on location) approximately once a month to discuss a variety of topics related to academia and professional development. Click here to learn more about the mentors for this program. Friday, February 14, 2020 is a firm deadline for applying to the mentorship program.
The AJS is committed to fostering greater understanding of Jewish Studies scholarship among the wider public. In partnering with The Op-Ed Project, an organization committed to increasing the ideas and impact of a diversity of voices, the AJS will partially subvent the cost for 20 members the opportunity to participate in its "Write to Change the World" one-day seminars. The cost of this program is $310, but if selected, members would only need to pay $50. In keeping with the mission of The Op-Ed Project, many of the subventions will go to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds (women, LBGTQ, scholars of color, and scholars with disabilities). Subventions are also limited to members who are in the last year of a PhD program or have already received a PhD. To learn more about this program and to see the schedule of programs, click here. Applications will be received on a rolling basis until slots are full, but the AJS encourages you to apply early.
