Gabriel Li, Ph.D.

How well do you know your professors? 🔎 You may recognize Professor Gabriel Miao Li, Ph.D. if you have taken his research methods or media and politics courses, but did you know he only joined the School of Communication in 2023? With experience in media and government relations, along with research in the intersection of communication, political science, and social psychology, Dr. Li has already made his mark at the university.

How did your career begin? Did you always intend to work in academia?

“In a previous life, believe it or not, I was working for a railway company—not driving trains, though that might have been more exciting. I spent three years managing media relations and government liaisons. Eventually, I realized the job was, well, less-than-stimulating, so I decided to switch gears completely. I packed up, headed to the University of Michigan, got my Ph.D., and couldn’t be any more fortunate, landed a position at Chapman.”

What was the job-seeking process like for you? How did you make yourself stand out during interviews?

“Job-seeking in academia is like entering The Hunger Games—minus the cool outfits and weapons. You’re up against hundreds of people, all sending in application materials that could double as doorstops. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a Zoom interview, and if you’re really, really lucky, they’ll fly you out for an on-campus interview. That’s a marathon day where you present your research, demonstrate your teaching abilities, and try not to mess up while meeting everyone from students to faculty members to university officials. Honestly, my goal was just to get through the day without fainting. I wouldn’t say I did anything extraordinary to stand out. I just survived.”

Did you have an internship during your educational career?

“Yes, I had an internship as a reporter during college, worked as a research assistant during my master’s studies, and served as a graduate student instructor during my Ph.D. years. These experiences were invaluable, helping me realize that while I might not make a great journalist, my true passion lies in teaching and research.”

What advice would you give students currently struggling to find a job?

“Have a plan, but be flexible about it. It’s wonderful to have a dream job and a plan to get there, but it’s also important to acknowledge our limitations—not just in terms of being realistic, but in recognizing that there are many things we haven’t yet encountered or considered. As you gain more life experience, you might discover that your dream job isn’t as glamorous as it seemed on TikTok/Instagram, or you might find yourself excited by a career you hadn’t previously thought about. One of my best friends studied accounting and worked in duty-free retail industry before realizing her true passion was in the arts and filmmaking—she’s now a Palme d’Or winner.”

Any networking tips you can share?

“I might be worst person to ask for networking advice—I’m extremely introverted and try to avoid networking whenever possible (now you know why I’ll never be a good journalist). That said, my honest advice is to be yourself. You can’t maintain a façade forever, and it’s important to find a job that suits who you really are. Plus, there are jobs out there that don’t require that much networking, and I’m living proof you can find one.”