Graduate School Survival Skills Andrea Parker and Patti Ordóñez

CRA-W Computer Research Association Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research Mission increase the participation and success of women in computing research

What does CRA-W do? Individual & Group Research Mentoring Graduate Students Undergraduates Academic careers Industry/government Undergrads: Undergraduate Research Experiences Undergrads: Distinguished lecture role models Grad Cohort: group mentoring of grad students Grad Students: Discipline Specific Research workshops PhD Researchers: group mentoring of early & mid CMW, CAPP, Hopper & Tapia 600+ students and PhD researchers a year

Who are you? How many of you are: – Undergraduates – MSc students – PhD students – Other

Who are we? About Patti BA in HIS at JHU MS 2010 and PhD 2012 in CS at UMBC

Who are we? About Andrea – From San Jose, CA – Training BS Computer Science PhD Human-Centered Computing – Now Assistant Professor HCI & Personal Health Informatics – How did I survive? Support Network Passion-driven research Prayer – How do I survive now? See above!

Why are you here?

No, really, why are you here? Why are you at this workshop? Why are you in grad school? – Turn to the person next to you and talk it over for the next 3 minutes

Why people are here?

YOU CAN’T GET WHAT YOU CAME FOR UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAME FOR

If you came to learn how to do research Figure out how you’re going to learn that: – Meetings with your supervisor – Lab meetings – Apprentice w/senior students – Classes – Going to talks – Reading papers – Learn to write – Take a course in research methods – Apply for funding

If you came to get a job when you’re done Figure out which job you really want: – Do internships – Teach Find out how to get the skills you need – Research (see previous slide) – Writing – Public speaking – Be strategic in the classes you choose

… but what if you’re not getting what you came for? Sadly, fairly common Figure out what’s bothering you. – Advisor problems – You hate your research – You hate your research group Find someone to talk to

List the 3 most important people in your graduate school career Let’s get together in small groups and discuss among yourselves who are the important people in grad school. Be ready to share with the larger group.

List 3 important people in your graduate school career Surely, your graduate advisor is on your list? – For better or for worse, your advisor holds the key to the next step in your career. – If you are getting a PhD, you will be forever linked to your advisor. – This is one of the reasons picking an advisor is serious business!

Finding the Right Advisor Ask important questions like: – How many students have they graduated? Are they like you? – What kind of relationship do they have with their advisees? – Do they provide opportunities for their students? – Is your potential advisor a leader in your field of interest? – What is their style of advising? Does it go with you? Identify and address problems early!

List 3 important people in your graduate school career Surely, you are on your list? – You are important. You are to be respected and valued. – You must take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. – The way people treat you is a function of how you expect to be treated. – You have the most to gain and lose in your graduate school career.

What to do when you run into trouble? Don’t ignore it. – The problem will only get bigger. – Early detection is the key. Summarize the facts of the issue. – Discuss the facts with a trusted friend. – Develop a plan of action.

Tips for Success What you can do to avoid trouble: – Find a support group – Exercise or do something you like that is not your research – Network (Don’t just work all the time) – Use all resources that are available to you – Distance yourself from difficult relationships

Tips for Success Develop a mentor map Who do you know that can – Help you develop your dissertation research ideas – Point out internship/job/fellowship opportunities – Help you learn what it means to go into academia/industry – Provide feedback on papers – Introduce you to senior researchers/help you develop your network – Write letters of rec & speak well of your work to others – … Identify holes in map & make plans to fill in

Tips for Success Advisor/mentor relationship – One person will not know everything You should have many mentors! – Recognize strengths & weaknesses – Come ready & prepared This is a partnership Bring ideas, questions, and potential answers

Tips for Success Set goals – Long-term: what do you want to do after grad school? – Medium: what do you want to accomplish this school year? – Short: this semester? Break goals into concrete steps – These steps should be S.M.A.R.T. Track your progress – Identify (& celebrate) success – When you miss goals, make a plan to get back on track

What to do when you run into trouble? Ask for help from: – Your graduate advisor (if they are not the issue) – Women groups in computer science and engineering – Professors you have taken a class with and had a good rapport – A trusted resource from your undergraduate institution – Professors you met at GHC (here!) – Counselors – Trusted Peers (in/out of your program/university)

All set? Having said all that, there’s one thing we’d like to leave you with – BE BOLD. Put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to make an idiot of yourself. So, with that in mind, it’s time for a sing along:

To be sung to the tune of “I will Survive” At first I was afraid, I was petrified Thinking I could never do research, I’d have to hide I spent so many nights thinking all I did was wrong I grew strong I learned how to carry on Now my groove’s back! From a dark place. I just walk in and people leave with love of my research taste I have changed the way I work Now I know that was the key And I know for just one second Grad school doesn’t bother me

Once more with feeling! And now I’ll go! Walk out the door I’m turned around now Doubt’s not welcome anymore I used to feel so very hurt that I could cry I thought I’d crumble I thought I’d lay down and die Oh no, not I! I will survive! As long as I know how to think I’ll make it out alive I’ve got all my life to live I’ve got all my thoughts to give And I’ll survive I will survive! Hey, hey!