"service activites"....what does that include?

"service activites"....what does that include?

anon again (guest) 17 Dec 2010 21:14

I am new to the job market and I was wondering what all is included when SC ask you about "service activites." I assume it means serving on committees…but what else?

anon! anon! (guest) 17 Dec 2010 22:25

As I understand it, there are two kinds of service: internal (like, at your institution) and external (like, to your field).

External service is stuff like: serving as a reviewer or action editor at a journal; guest editing a special issue; writing book reviews; reviewing applications for grant competitions or conference presentation proposals; and editing volumes.

Internal stuff is like: serving on committees inside and outside your department; or organizing stuff for the departmental community (like, having regular statistics tutorials for students in the department, or organizing a departmental social hour once a week for faculty to mingle with students).

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but others may have other ideas.

anon and on and on (guest) 18 Dec 2010 01:06

I'll second the external service highlighted by "anon! anon!" and add some more items regarding internal service. This is especially important if you're at a smaller school compared to an R1-type place. (I did my grad work at an R1, and the faculty generally did as little "service" as possible; I've also been a VAP at two SLACs, and those places absolutely depend on everyone making some sort of contribution.)

Internal service - there are always going to be departmental committees, like setting up colloquia, determining the curriculum, advising undergraduate things like Psi Chi or the Psychology Club, possibly maintaining the department website, etc. However, this also includes advising undergrads, and serving on ad hoc search committees.

There's also the service that you may need to do for your institution, beyond the department. This includes positions like being on faculty council, the IRB committee, the tenure/promotion committee, advising student organizations, and being the outside person for search committees in other departments.

Again, the requirements are going to be WILDLY different depending on the school. Even so, I have had several senior people remind me that no one gets tenure because they're a service superstar …

anon again (guest) 18 Dec 2010 04:09

Thank you so much, your input is very helpful. I am looking for a position at a smaller school and the detailed internal service discription is especially helpful. I too did my grad work at an R1 where the faculty seemed to avoid "service"…..perhaps this is why I am not sure what all it includes…….come to think of it that may be why I was asked about it. Hope my vauge answer didn't blow it for me. I'm more than willing to contribute. Hopefully now I will be able to be more detailed in my future answers.