Can Professors be Strategic in Their Careers?

Over the past 14 years with HigherEdJobs, I have had the privilege of working with the amazing people who help young men and women further their lives at our institutions of higher education.  I could not have asked for a more fulfilling career.  I know faculty members believe strongly in the value of the work that they do -- educating students, furthering knowledge, and contributing to the greater good.  Passion is often an ingredient to what makes them do what they do.

In this section of Work Strong, the practical formulation and documentation of a plan becomes front and center in the discussion. I believe the strategic nature of the process and formality of the career fitness program suggested is absolutely necessary.  The need to dispassionately review the plan is imperative as well.  However, as I was reading through it, I found myself wondering if many faculty members can be strategic enough to first establish a plan and then dispassionate in truly evaluating it?  If passion is what fuels your career choice, can strategy play a role in the plan and, if so, can that passion be set aside in revising and measuring the success of that plan?

I also found myself thinking about a good friend, who I shall refer to as Preston.  Preston made a very specific career choice in choosing a career in the fine arts over a career in the hard sciences.  He is extremely talented, committed, honest with himself and we all knew (and still know) that he can do whatever he sets his mind to.  Along the way, Preston realized a career in teaching college students his fine arts skills was what motivated him.  As always, he set his mind to it and achieved the goal.  However, as many people learn in the fine arts, Preston's plan to acquire an elite teaching position was not given to him right after graduation.  He then decided to create his own opportunity, creating a position for himself by working for two schools, which has led to some benefits and a solid step in his career plan.  To me, seizing this opportunity is what we all can emulate from Preston's experience.  The plan did not go as designed.  Don't give up.  Revise the plan.  Ph.D.s do not come with Best Buy warranties -- they come with the opportunities that you can help create.

Can you be strategic and create opportunities in what you do today, and can they lead you further along in your career plans?  What are some of the best opportunities you have created for yourself in your career?