Considering a Career in the Field?

The field of Cinema and Media Studies continues to grow and thrive; although the academic job market remains challenging, students and scholars in film, television, and media studies can still find positions across a variety of institutions, departments, and fields. The Society is committed to assisting scholars at the beginning of their careers (through mentoring opportunities at the annual conference) and at later stages as well, through our online career center, professional development opportunities, and publishing and networking venues.

Online Career Center

SCMS provides one of the largest databases of employment listings in film and media studies (see the 2010-2013 Career Center Report here for more information about our Center and jobs in the field).

SCMS is committed to fostering equitable and respectful job search processes. In the job market, applicants often face a demanding process. SCMS emphasizes the need for empathy and fairness in job searches, recognizing the challenges faced by applicants. We encourage university search committees to consider the following best practices.

A charge of $100 per job ad is required for non-members and individual members. Institutional members can post a job ad for free for the duration of their membership.

To post an opening:

• Purchase a Job Ad
• Submit an Opening

If payment is not received the posting will not be approved or posted on the SCMS website.

Once payment is received please allow one business day for the job posting to be posted.

Professional-Development Workshops

During the annual conference, SCMS offers professional development workshops—often sponsored by the Professional Development Committee or the Graduate Student Organization—that focus on different topics of interest to our membership. Previous workshops have focused on finding a tenure track position, publishing the first book, or life after tenure. Take a look at the conference program (available online in December).

Publishing and Opportunities

The Journal of Cinema and Media Studiesis one of the leading peer-reviewed journals in the fields of film and media studies. The journal welcomes submissions from SCMS members on a variety of scholarly topics. (For detailed submissions information, please visit the page JCMS Submissions.) In addition to publishing some of the best film and media scholarship, Cinema Journal often lists CFPs for other print and on-line journals along with CFPs for national and international conferences.

Mentoring Opportunities

Currently under development, the SCMS mentorship program will be available soon. Institutional Members Institutional Members have unlimited access to the Career Center, and can highlight their programs for potential job candidates or future undergraduate and graduate students through the Programs/Schools area of the website.