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How to Survive as a Graduate Student Ted Wong Sean Slattery, Alma Whitten, Rob Deline, Brian Noble, Jay Sipelstein, Jonathan Shewchuk, Benli Pierce, David.

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Presentation on theme: "How to Survive as a Graduate Student Ted Wong Sean Slattery, Alma Whitten, Rob Deline, Brian Noble, Jay Sipelstein, Jonathan Shewchuk, Benli Pierce, David."— Presentation transcript:

1 How to Survive as a Graduate Student Ted Wong Sean Slattery, Alma Whitten, Rob Deline, Brian Noble, Jay Sipelstein, Jonathan Shewchuk, Benli Pierce, David Dill

2 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/2 Why are we here? Learn how to survive and thrive Hear from the "experts"

3 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/3 Outline Getting started The early years The middle years Black Friday Fortune cookies

4 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/4 Format Question my authority! Focus on new students No names

5 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/5 Getting started Getting here Attending the Immigration Course Picking your new advisor

6 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/6 Getting here You have the ability to graduate You are responsible for graduating

7 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/7 Attending the Immigration Course Go to lots of talks! Find out what you're interested in Find out who is leading what research Find out who is looking for students Go to the social events Get to know the other students Get to meet faculty

8 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/8 Picking your new advisor Why is this so important? How do you choose? What do you look for in an advisor?

9 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/9 Why is an advisor so important? Your advisor is your mentor Your advisor is your manager Your advisor is your advocate

10 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/10 How do you choose an advisor? Talk to potential advisors Talk to current and former students Read their publications

11 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/11 What do you look for in an advisor? Approachability Compatibility Durability History Research

12 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/12 Choosing multiple advisors Pros: Span research areas, skills, or styles Combine strengths of each advisor Cons: Must manage several relationships Must balance demands

13 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/13 Changing advisors When to do it If your research interests diverge If your "styles" truly don't match What to look out for Changing frequently Changing right before Black Friday

14 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/14 The early years Building up your advisor relationship Taking classes Fulfilling requirements Avoiding common distractions FUD

15 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/15 Building up your advisor relationship Meet regularly with them Communicate openly with them Manage them Accommodate their needs

16 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/16 Taking classes The old way (previous century) Pass your classes (B-) Concentrate on research The apocryphal new way (this century) Excel at your classes (A) Concentrate on research (?!) The place-out?

17 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/17 Fulfilling requirements Teaching Teach a basic and an advanced class Keep close watch on the clock (1/2-time) Writing and speaking Practice these skills early and often Get lots of feedback before trying to pass Programming Talk to your advisor about expectations

18 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/18 Avoiding common distractions Zephyr is not research! Slashdot is not research! Community service is not a "distraction"!

19 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/19 FUD: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt "I don't belong here": Imposter Syndrome "I'm the only person having a hard time" "I'm struggling in / failing a class"

20 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/20 Beating FUD Talk to other students Talk to your advisor Talk to Shawn Butler, the ombudsperson. Talk to Jeannette or Sharon Talk to Counseling Services

21 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/21 The middle years Becoming self-directed Beating pre-proposal FUD

22 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/22 Becoming self-directed Before: External deadlines Self-contained problems Now: Internal deadlines Open-ended problems

23 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/23 Beating pre-proposal FUD "I'm not cut out for research." It takes time to transition to self-direction It takes time to find thesis topic It is hard to do "research" "I want to leave." It is OK to leave Leaving is NOT failure! Staying out of stubbornness can lead to failure

24 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/24 Black Friday Don't panic! Ensure that you have an advocate Talk to your advocate before BF

25 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/25 Black Friday: The process You fill out a form for your advisor (only!) Your advisor drafts a letter The faculty discusses and edits your letter You go to the Black Friday TG Jeannette signs the letter

26 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/26 Black Friday: The letter "We are pleased. Next semester:" Making satisfactory progress Try to reach suggested goals Alternatively, reach equivalent goals "To remain in good standing, you must:" Reach required goals No, really reach required goals "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

27 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/27 Fortune cookies Never surprise or be surprised by your advisor.

28 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/28 Fortune cookies Once an advisor, always an advisor.

29 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/29 Fortune cookies Talk with other students and faculty to get an outside perspective on your research.

30 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/30 Fortune cookies There is more than one partner in a marriage. Being concerned with only one of them is a BIG problem.

31 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/31 Fortune cookies You probably cannot write or speak as well as you can hack. Practice early and often.

32 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/32 Fortune cookies Hacking is not research.

33 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/33 Fortune cookies If you want to work, work. If you want to play, play.

34 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/34 Fortune cookies Work at least an hour a day. Make that hour the first hour.

35 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/35 Fortune cookies Keep outside interests and activities.

36 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/36 Fortune cookies Your thesis has less to do with your career than you think. What you can say about your thesis has more to do with your career than you think.

37 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/37 Fortune cookies Be honest to yourself about your abilities and limits.

38 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/38 Fortune cookies Be your own advocate.

39 Ted Wong 30 August 2001http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/39 Final fortune cookie Have fun!

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