An academic’s curriculum vita (cv) summarizes their academic experience.
They differ from a resume.
Where a resume tends to be concise, a CV can read like an incomplete multi-volume book series!
(Game of Thrones anyone?)
Notably, many academics update their CV on an as needed basis - adding things for their annual review or sharpening it to apply for jobs.
By minimizing the frequency with which they update their CVs, academics miss important opportunities to reflect on where they have been, what they have been doing, and where they want to go.
Why?
BC if you use even minimal version control, you can use it to assess how you are doing, ask if you evolving, and chart profess towards your goals.
How?
Six steps.
First, create a CV.
See here: https://lnkd.in/ewqus34t
I tell my first year students to start one in the Fall. Date stamp it. Then to update it once a month & date stamp it.
Second, create two CVs.
One is your long form - the other is your short form.
A short form cv captures what you consider the mist important activities.
I like the NSF format: https://lnkd.in/euiSmuXx
Reducing your cv to short form helps you think through what is important.
Third, update it on a regular basis.
I find it easiest just to do when something comes up - I have a terrible memory & forget things.
Most of my colleagues do it every few months.
Fourth, I compare my original and current CV every six or so months.
I do a simple compare docs in Word.
I look at the results & ask myself is this where I want to be headed?
If I don’t see change or interesting trends, then I know it is time for a change.
Finally, I write out goals.
I reflect on my cv, how it has changed, and who do I want to become at work.
I take a photo of that doc, datestamp it, and put it in the folder where I keep my CV.
Six months later. I look at it and think about ‘how am I doing’.
This helps me focus and let’s me reflect on whether I’m fulfilling my goals and living up to my potential.
A CV is more than a way of curating your experiences. It is a tool that you can use to make you better!
Best of luck.
Comments