Ronald Bobroff, M.A. 1993, Ph.D. 2000
Associate Professor of History and Faculty Director of General Education, Bryant University – Smithfield, RI
2000 Ph.D., History; 1993 M.A., History
How has being a History graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"The Duke program helped give me a solid foundation in the research skills and professional expectations that have made me a successful scholar and member of the departments in which I have worked. Through service in the Graduate Student Association and student government I also learned more about how departments and universities work and began to build a professional network."
What advice would you give students in Duke's History programs?
"Don’t just focus on perfecting the dissertation and developing the one boutique course that covers your topic. If you are hoping to become a faculty member, find every opportunity to learn to teach innovatively and inclusively; develop a quiver of courses with some breadth in your general geographical and/or chronological space. But also cultivate knowledge of employment options outside of academia. Use Duke’s alumni and career networks to explore opportunities in for-profit, non-profit, and government sectors. Overall, be flexible, but also protect yourself. Hope for but do not expect reward for sacrifices you might make. Especially given the current higher-education climate, university and college administrations tend to make decisions that they think are good for the survival of the institution itself and not necessarily good for the faculty, especially Humanities faculty."
