1. Structuring Your Early Career as a Graduate Student
Things I Wish Somebody Would Have Told Me At The Start
Presented By Jack Anger, B.A. and Miranda Clements, B.A.

2. Agenda Why Graduate School is Great Graduate School vs. Undergrad
Independence
Involvement
Self-care
Resources
Research
Tips

3. Ice Breaker: What is your biggest fear about grad school?
What are you looking forward to?

5. Top 5 Reasons to Love Graduate School
Opportunities to teach
Learning new and interesting things in your field
More/better options for career and continuing education
Meeting new people
Contributing to society
TA positions, GA positions, presenting to colleagues
Expanding your knowledge and working towards becoming an expert in a given area
Setting yourself up for success, reaping the rewards
Especially people with similar interest and who can be valuable contacts in the future
In health and human services, we’re all committed to public service in some way or another

6. Major Differences from the Undergraduate Experience
Expect a change in:
Difficulty level
Self-directed method of learning
Limitations in frequency/type of course offerings
Program of study
Scheduling
Planning
Saying “no”
Collaboration
Responsibility
Your interactions with professors and professionals in the field

7. Independence You got yourself here, you will get yourself through
Advocating for yourself
Autonomy
Responsibility
*You DO get a say in your educational decisions
Be proud of yourself for getting here! The admitting committee believed you could do it, you need to believe you can do it too
You are seen more as a colleague; you are expected to be professional and make meaningful contributions to your department
Be prepared to advocate for what you need; your learning style, communication style, and extenuating circumstances
Also be prepared to figure things out for yourself; no one gets fed off a silver spoon in grad school. Your professors are not going to simply give you what you need, you are expected to research and problem-solve--they are just there to help you along the way
They WILL steer you in the right path if you need it, but they want to see that you are putting in the effort independently
You are responsible for your own success. Use the resources available to you and figure out what you can do to motivate and drive yourself. It isn’t about performing on a test to get a grade anymore; it’s about learning because you need to know the information

8. The Importance of Involvement
This is a MUST!
Don’t wait to live until grad school is over
◦Grad school is still a part of your life: LIVE IT!
Get Involved:
◦On campus, and off campus within the community
◦Graduate Student Government
◦Networking
◦Departmental Gatherings
◦Honors Societies
Flagstaff is beautiful and has an active culture and community; don’t forget to experience it
NAU has many extracurricular opportunities available to you
Rec center and wall acquatic center are free to use, you can take fitness classes, etc. for free
Various clubs and activities
Make friends outside of your cohort

9. Bad Feelings Happen!
-Know what is normal and what isn’t
-Make the best of it or make a change
-Actively integrate de-stressors into your life

10. Stressed or Depressed? Signs of Depression (get help)
-Withdrawing from other people -Feeling sad and hopeless -Lack of energy, enthusiasm and motivation -Trouble making decisions -Being restless, agitated and irritable -Eating more or less than usual -Sleeping more or less than usual -Trouble concentrating -Trouble with memory -Feeling bad about yourself or guilty -Anger and rage -Feeling that you can't overcome difficulties -Trouble functioning in your class or in your personal life -Thoughts of suicide
Common Signs of Stress (normal) -Trouble sleeping -Feeling overwhelmed -Problems concentrating -Change in eating habits -Feeling nervous or anxious -Feeling angry, irritable or easily frustrated -Feeling burned out from studying or schoolwork -Worrying about difficulties in your life -Trouble functioning in class or in your personal life

11. Take Care of Yourself, and You Will Be OK!
Schedule time for it
Know when to “clock out”
Health on campus
Counseling center (928)
Health services (928)
Practicum lab (928)
*Tell someone if you need help
One of my professors told me “Only you know how much is too much for YOU” - you have to be the one to recognize that. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, it’s okay to say no to SOME things
We have a joke about being “voluntold” for things; this is true somewhat, but you always have a choice.

12. What do you do when you need a break?

13. NAU Student Resources Graduate College Graduate Assistantships
Cline library
Articles available online
Health and Learning Center
Student Technology help
Counseling Center
Practicum lab
Faculty Mentors
Graduate College
Graduate Assistantships
Writing Center
Computer Labs
Departmental Administrative Assistants

14. Conducting Research Don’t be intimidated if you’ve never done research
Start planning research ideas/topics early (like now, for instance)
Learn the research focus of the faculty if you haven’t already
Be realistic
Ask for guidance if you are interested in something in particular
Find people you work well with to conduct research with
Once you have an idea and a mentor, make a timeline/map for your project and include deadlines--your mentor can help you with this, too

15. Keep in Mind The Impostor Syndrome (Clance & Imes, 1978)
Obviously you aren’t perfect, but you do have a lot of knowledge and a specific skill set that you are honing; don’t be afraid to own it!
Change is okay, and expected
Talk with faculty, objective mentors, counselors, etc if you need to make a change
If you are going to make a change, try to do it early and seek guidance first
Sometimes change happens
Changing emphasis areas
Changing programs
Adjusting research focus
Changing schools
Taking a break
The Impostor Syndrome is normal- occurs when people are unable to internalize their accomplishments despite external evidence of their competence, feel as if they are frauds. (Clance & Imes, 1978)
At some point, we all feel like a “fraud” but are you a “good fraud” or a “bad fraud.”

16. Assorted Tips and Tricks
Ask for help when you need it
SAVE EVERYTHING!!!
-Utilize cloud storage
-Save syllabi, notes, and anything your professors give you
Plan when you will be done. Stick to it.
-prioritize your to do list and make a timeline
-schedule breaks to avoid burnout
-don’t feel guilty about taking a break if you need one!
Use your cohort as a resource and for collaboration when possible

17. YOU CAN DO THIS!

18. Questions?