The Difficult Transition? Teaching, Research, Service: Examining the Preparedness of Communication Faculty Entering the Academe

: Using a survey of communication graduate students seeking academic employment, this study examined the categories and levels of preparedness of new professors/instructors as they enter academe. Preparedness was examined in several ways--specifically knowledge about higher education requirements and their preparation for teaching, advising, and service in the field of communication. In general, the future communication faculty reported that most had participated in teaching preparation activities. Few reported participating or having access to preparation in other academic areas. In hindsight, most respondents would have liked more preparation opportunities in all areas. Even though they did not have extensive preparation in any area, except for teaching, most reported they were confident in their ability to perform the skills of a future faculty member.