1. Student-Mentor Relationships and the Politics of Graduate School

2. What do you need to get a PhD? Thoughts on Sternberg article Thoughts on Sternberg article

3. Power and politics What do you need to get through a PhD program? What do you need to get through a PhD program? How does power affect you as a graduate student? How does power affect you as a graduate student? How can you deal with power imbalances? How can you deal with power imbalances? Supportive vs. competitive programs Supportive vs. competitive programs Emphasis on research vs. applied/practice Emphasis on research vs. applied/practice

4. Are your expectations of faculty reasonable? Myths: Myths: –That they have lots of time –That they know everything –That student interests won’t change

5. Role conflict How can you deal with How can you deal with –Intrarole conflict? –Interrole-Intrapersonal conflict? –Interrole-interpersonal conflict?

6. Developmental stages What are the developmental stages? What are the developmental stages? –Dependence –Disillusionment –Rebellion –Collaboration

7. What is a mentor, and why do I need one? Could be academic advisor, thesis supervisor, graduate coordinator, or other faculty member Could be academic advisor, thesis supervisor, graduate coordinator, or other faculty member Can be a formal or informal relationship Can be a formal or informal relationship People who are mentored are generally more successful People who are mentored are generally more successful Remember that you don’t have to get everything from one person Remember that you don’t have to get everything from one person

8. A good mentor or thesis supervisor should… Spend time with you Spend time with you Provide you with feedback Provide you with feedback Provide you with information/resources Provide you with information/resources Support you and be willing to go to bat for you Support you and be willing to go to bat for you Help you find useful experiences/colleagues Help you find useful experiences/colleagues

9. How should you choose a mentor? Things to consider about yourself Things to consider about yourself –Research/scholarly interests –Current level of knowledge/skills –Timetable –What and how much support you need

10. Things to consider about the mentor Things to consider about the mentor –Availability –Reputation –Track record –Personality Talk to advanced students about potential mentors Talk to advanced students about potential mentors Fit is everything! Fit is everything!

11. How can you be a good mentee/grad student? Communicate clearly about expectations Communicate clearly about expectations Be respectful of their time Be respectful of their time Be respectful of their feedback Be respectful of their feedback Trust that they know more than you, at least about some things Trust that they know more than you, at least about some things Know what their pet peeves are Know what their pet peeves are Come with solutions, not problems Come with solutions, not problems

12. Admit your mistakes Admit your mistakes Don’t assume they can read your mind Don’t assume they can read your mind Be pleasant to work with Be pleasant to work with Be independent but not too independent Be independent but not too independent Plan on revisions Plan on revisions Realize faculty are human and have outside lives too Realize faculty are human and have outside lives too Try to figure out things on your own, but if you need help, ask! Try to figure out things on your own, but if you need help, ask!

13. What should you not do?

14. What should you do and not do in grad school? Do Do –Lots of research –Actively participate in class –Write well –Use time well/ get things done –Get involved in the department Don’t Don’t –Avoid faculty –Waste time –Try to get by with the minimum

15. What should you do if it’s not working Be open and communicate with the mentor first Be open and communicate with the mentor first Be careful with email (though it can be helpful in documentation) Be careful with email (though it can be helpful in documentation) Don’t escalate Don’t escalate Check with others to make sure you’re seeing things accurately Check with others to make sure you’re seeing things accurately Maybe it’s time for a divorce—they might be wanting one too Maybe it’s time for a divorce—they might be wanting one too

16. If it’s still bad… Exploitation Exploitation Harassment Harassment Talk to someone you trust (e.g., grad coordinator, department head) and if that person doesn’t listen, find someone else Talk to someone you trust (e.g., grad coordinator, department head) and if that person doesn’t listen, find someone else Keep in mind that faculty are obligated to report sexual harassment Keep in mind that faculty are obligated to report sexual harassment

17. Thesis completion Don’t be a forever ABT! Don’t be a forever ABT! Get started early Get started early Choose advisor well Choose advisor well Pick a committee that will get along Pick a committee that will get along Don’t hide mistakes/things you don’t know Don’t hide mistakes/things you don’t know Work with committee well, but always check with thesis supervisor first Work with committee well, but always check with thesis supervisor first Expect revisions and be open to changes Expect revisions and be open to changes Think about whether this change will really matter—if so, give a reason for not changing it Think about whether this change will really matter—if so, give a reason for not changing it

18. Remember In graduate school (and lots of other places), reputation matters, and it’s hard to change once set. In graduate school (and lots of other places), reputation matters, and it’s hard to change once set.

19. Program of Study Look at online Look at online Student requests Student requests Classes for spring! Classes for spring!

20. Next week IRB training IRB training Readings online Readings online In 2 weeks, completed IRB form In 2 weeks, completed IRB form