1. Preparing for entering academia : The hard truth about the academic life ; Getting a head start as an undergraduate volunteer ; The undergraduate CV ; Finding your research interests
2. Applying for graduate school : The hard truth about applying to grad schools ; Master's degree versus Ph. D. ; Apply to people not programs; and finding a good fit ; Contacting professors ; The graduate application ; Statement letter ; Graduate record exam (GRE) ; Write a CV ; Reference letters ; Get a website/cards ; Recruitment weekend
3. Graduate school : The hard truth about grad school ; Seminars ; Tool up early ; The notebook and the pencil ; Different kinds of advisors ; Candidacy ; Working with other graduate students ; Classes ; Publications ; Being a teaching assistant ; Tips on managing your time ; Picking a dissertation topic and writing your thesis ; Choosing a committee ; Grants and thesis proposals ; Meetings/societies ; Knowing when to finish
4. Finding a postdoctoral position : The hard truth about finding a postdoc ; Types of postdocs ; What a postdoc does ; A postdoc that's not a postdoc
5. Postdoctoral positions : The hard truth about postdocs ; Being the new guy or gal in the lab ; Advisors ; Running out of time
Applying for jobs : Applying for jobs ; Applications ; Job interviews ; Research presentations ; Typical questions you are asked in a job interview ; Not getting the interview/job ; Getting an offer
7. Assistant Professor : The hard truth of being an assistant professor ; Negotiating start-up ; Other considerations before you actually start your new job ; How to spend your money and what to expect ; The first year ; Hiring people (technicians, students) ; Finding graduate students ; Making a new course ; Service ; Getting your first grant ; Getting papers out ; Mentoring committees, reviews ; Tenure package and reviews
8. Special considerations for women and minorities, and balancing work and family : The hard truth about being a minority in science ; The hard truth about being a woman in science ; The two-body problem ; Balancing work and family
Appendices : 1. Example undergraduate curriculum vitae ; 2. Example graduate student CV ; 3. Example thesis proposal ; 4. Example job cover letter ; 5. Example research interests for job application ; 6. Example C.V. for job application ; 7. Example teaching statement and philosophy for job application ; 8. Example extra statement for job application (curatorial statement) ; 9. Example chalk talk for job interview ; 10. Example start-up wish list ; 11. Review package summary presentation.
