To maintain and strengthen its excellence, the University must recruit and retain an outstanding faculty. Many faculty members who are being recruited by the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor have partners who are accomplished professionals in their own right. Therefore, the ability of a dual career partner to find a suitable career opportunity is a key factor in the recruitment process and ultimately in the couple’s decision. The LSA Dual Career Program was created in response to this important need.

The Dean’s Office welcomes the chance to work with partners and appreciates that LSA has been enriched by the presence of partners who have joined our faculty and staff over the years. We are committed to meeting the needs and challenges faced by many dual career couples in higher education.

At her or his own initiative, the prospective faculty member should tell the chair of the search committee or the unit Chair/Director about interest in LSA’s dual career services.  Typically, the unit Chair/Director takes the lead in gathering initial information about the dual career partner (such as an electronic version of the CV and personal statement regarding career objectives). This information may then be forwarded to the LSA Dual Career Coordinator for additional assistance.

Services Available to Everyone
The Office of the Provost maintains a dual career Website. Available to everyone both inside and outside the University, this site provides easy access to information about employment opportunities and career resources at the University of Michigan (including how to search and apply for jobs), other area colleges and universities, major employers in the area, career search resources, and information about Ann Arbor:  http://www.provost.umich.edu/programs/dual_career/index.html

Services for Partners of Tenured and Tenure-track Faculty
Due to limited resources, services are available only to the partners of tenure-track or tenured faculty members.

Academic Careers
As used here, the term academic career includes instruction, research, and/or clinical work.  Working together, the department or program along with the Dual Career Coordinator, will help the dual career partner to connect with appropriate faculty and staff across campus. At such meetings, the partner can learn more about the University and begin to explore career options. In other cases, a more proactive approach may be taken to look for ways the University can utilize the partner’s expertise and experience.

If for some reason the partner is more suited to a position at an institution other than the University of Michigan, contacts at nearby institutions (see website) may be arranged.  Every effort will be taken to ensure that the partner has an opportunity to network both at Michigan and other institutions in S.E. Michigan.

Non-academic Careers
Working with faculty and staff in the department or program and the College, the LSA Dual Career Coordinator, as well as the Dual Career Specialist for the Provost’s Office (in Human Resources & Affirmative Action), help partners to search for non-academic jobs. This group of partners includes people looking for staff or professional positions in such areas as education, private industry, the non-profit arena, and government.

The LSA Dual Career Coordinator can assist in the following ways:
·   Consult with partners about the job search and help arrange informational interviews and/or identify positions of interest;
·   Provide career guidance and counseling
·   Review résumés and assist with revisions
·   Assist in enhancing  interviewing techniques
·   Provide information about the local job market and area companies, as well as the range of employment opportunities in Ann Arbor and southeast Michigan;
·   Explain where and how to apply for lecturer and non-academic positions at the University of Michigan

Southeast Michigan, well known as the headquarters of the automotive industry, has numerous high technology, consumer, and financial services companies, as well as several dozen institutions of higher education. Due to the area’s diversified economy, businesses and organizations in a wide variety of fields can be found. Job availability, of course, varies by field and fluctuates with the economy. Partners willing to commute outside of Ann Arbor will find the widest range of opportunities.

Job Search vs. Job Placement
University faculty and staff who assist in dual career efforts do a great deal to help partners in their job search. But the University cannot and does not guarantee job placement. The success of any job search—and how long it takes— depends on many factors. These include the economy, the “fit” between a partner’s credentials and job openings, and an individual’s flexibility.

Questions?
Questions can be directed to Dual Career Program Coordinator Sally Schmall sschmall@umich.edu or (734) 764-2430.