Fellowships in Academic Administration Testimonials: Bailey Brown (’20PhD, Sociology)
Bailey Brown
’20PhD, Sociology
Assistant professor, Sociology and Anthropology Department, Spelman College
Host office: Undergraduate Student Life Office of Multicultural Affairs (Spring 2016); Office of Academic Diversity, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Summer 2016)
“The FAA experience gave me the skills to network with people in other fields. This has helped me recruit participants for qualitative research projects, land side gigs and freelance opportunities, and for research projects outside of my discipline.”
What projects are you working on now?
I am currently working on three projects: an edited volume about Black women in STEM, a study of charter schools in NYC, and an additional project on intergenerational experiences in STEM among Black families. Prior to this, I published a book based on my dissertation that examines how school choice policies shape parents’ experiences when selecting elementary schools in New York City.
How did your time as a Fellow in Academic Administration (FAA) prepare you for your transition after you finished your PhD?
The fellowship provided specific professional experience that I used to apply to positions outside of academia. I gained experience developing reports and making presentations on materials outside of my discipline, which also prepared me for academic committee work and consulting work that I have taken on outside of my professor role. The experience also gave me the background to start my own education consulting nonprofit, which I plan to launch in a few years.
The fellowship provided valuable professional experience that I have been able to apply beyond academia. I developed skills in writing reports and delivering presentations on topics outside my discipline, which also prepared me for academic committee work and consulting roles I have taken on alongside my teaching. It also gave me the foundation to begin developing my own education consulting nonprofit, which I hope to launch in the coming years.
How did your experience as an FAA influence your career path after graduate school?
My experience as an FAA motivated me to expand my job search and consider opportunities in other fields. The position also connected me to other organizations that support faculty members leaving academia or transitioning to building their own organizations/companies. Now that I am a faculty member, I see how the experience helps me better support students I mentor and advise now who are looking for opportunities with a sociology and anthropology degree.
What skills did you gain through FAA (or in graduate school more generally) that have supported your work in your current role?
I gained strong time management skills and the ability to multitask across projects. I also feel better prepared to transition out of my faculty role if it no longer aligns with my career objectives. This experience has enhanced my networking abilities, enabling me to connect with professionals in other fields for recruitment for qualitative projects, side gigs, freelance opportunities, and research projects beyond my discipline. I have learned how to effectively market my skillset and research expertise to audiences outside academia.