New faculty members during their first three to five years tend to focus on individual career development, focusing on required deliverables in the areas of research, teaching, and services. The balance in research versus teaching depends on the mission of the home college or university. An upwardly intellectual trajectory begins to emerge that forces them to define their "brand." The individual career advancement and the brand development in the early years is followed by an expected commitment toward the home department and the institution at large. Promotion to full professorship and academic maturity are achieved when a faculty skillfully leverages its strength and past expertise. A successful academic career will require an understanding of the factors that affect all three stages.

Dr. Kishore Gawande earned his Ph.D. in economics at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Currently his research is in the areas of political economy of trade agreements, the firm in political economy, causes of internal conflict, and conflict and development. His research also includes global health, such as Combating Child Malnutrition in Post-Conflict Zones: Assessing an Intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His teaching interests are in international economics and politics, development finance, and applied econometrics. Well-published Dr. Gawande has been recognized for teaching excellence, and is the recipient of several NSF grants. His vitae: CV