A guide to academia : getting into and surviving grad school, postdocs, and a research job /

The book's subtitle reflects its contents. Aimed at those contemplating or progressing along an academic career, from undergraduates through assistant professors, it covers a lot of ground. The volume's eight chapters discuss initial preparations as an undergraduate, applying to graduate schools, the graduate school experience, searching for postdoctoral positions and working as a postdoc, the job application process, assistant professorships, special issues for women and minorities, and work-life balance. The author addresses things to do as well as pitfalls in the process (e.g., inappropriate Facebook profiles). Most chapters begin with a section titled "The Hard Truth About ...." The book includes tips on exams, classes, presentations, publications, committees, and applications (schools, employers, grants), with examples of the latter provided in the appendixes. Chakrabarty (Louisiana State) is a biologist and acknowledges that engineers and medical students may well have special requirements. The focus is on seeking careers in schools offering doctoral programs. The author's recommendation to take classes related only to one's research may be too narrow a focus; he also largely ignores conducting research as an undergraduate. Overall, this is a useful, practical handbook on academic careers in any scientific discipline as well as nonscience fields. Summing Up: Recommended. All students, researchers/faculty, and professionals. R. E. Buntrock formerly, University of Maine