Career advice for PhD Career advice for PhD students: How to get the students: How to get the

most out of your time in the most out of your time in the PhD programPhD program

Cristian BorceaCristian Borcea

PreamblePreamble

Why am I doing this?Why am I doing this?

– Not many resources to learn how to be a successful PhD student Not many resources to learn how to be a successful PhD student trying to help you trying to help you

– Faculty create new knowledge and Faculty create new knowledge and next generation of next generation of researchersresearchers

““A professor is as good as his best student” A professor is as good as his best student”

Why now?Why now?

– As every September, we got fresh PhD studentsAs every September, we got fresh PhD students

– I might soon forget my PhD student experiences I might soon forget my PhD student experiences

Talk applies to any CS PhD student despite influence Talk applies to any CS PhD student despite influence from personal experiences and systems/networking from personal experiences and systems/networking background background

Acknowledgment: I admit to “stealing” advices from Acknowledgment: I admit to “stealing” advices from many successful people (too many to be listed)many successful people (too many to be listed)

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OutlineOutline

PhD student stagesPhD student stages

– Thinking about doing a PhDThinking about doing a PhD

– Taking classes and getting involved in some research Taking classes and getting involved in some research

– Choosing research area, topic, and advisor Choosing research area, topic, and advisor

– Doing researchDoing research

– Writing the thesisWriting the thesis

– Getting a jobGetting a job

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Slightly different view of these stagesSlightly different view of these stages

1.1. Student: “I know everything”; Advisor smilesStudent: “I know everything”; Advisor smiles

2.2. Student: “I don’t know anything”; Advisor: “Let’s talk”Student: “I don’t know anything”; Advisor: “Let’s talk”

3.3. Advisor: “Let’s do X”; Student: “You’re wrong because of Y Advisor: “Let’s do X”; Student: “You’re wrong because of Y and Z” and Z”

Why are you getting a PhD?Why are you getting a PhD? Prerequisite to a Prerequisite to a research careerresearch career

– A PhD degree should ensure that the student can later take A PhD degree should ensure that the student can later take on independent, long-term research commitmentson independent, long-term research commitments

The work required to earn a PhD is not worth the The work required to earn a PhD is not worth the effort if you don’t intend to do researcheffort if you don’t intend to do research– You can do better with an MS degree in such a caseYou can do better with an MS degree in such a case

How do you know if research is for you?How do you know if research is for you?– Have inquisitive mind and critical thinking Have inquisitive mind and critical thinking

– Like to understand how things workLike to understand how things work

– Like to identify problems and come up with solutionsLike to identify problems and come up with solutions

– Did some research during undergraduate studies and liked itDid some research during undergraduate studies and liked it

– More philosophical reasons: dream of changing the world, More philosophical reasons: dream of changing the world, good way to have a legacy beyond your familygood way to have a legacy beyond your family

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Bad reasons for pursuing a PhDBad reasons for pursuing a PhD Afraid of going out in the real worldAfraid of going out in the real world

– If you never had a job and not sure about going for a PhD, go If you never had a job and not sure about going for a PhD, go and work one-two yearsand work one-two years

EgoEgo Impress your girlfriend/boyfriend/parentsImpress your girlfriend/boyfriend/parents Opportunity to work/emigrate in USOpportunity to work/emigrate in US

– OK if your goal is to do research in (still) the best place for that OK if your goal is to do research in (still) the best place for that in the worldin the world

– Otherwise, working very hard for something that you don’t care Otherwise, working very hard for something that you don’t care much while living on a PhD stipend will soon make you much while living on a PhD stipend will soon make you unhappyunhappy

Money (i.e., amount of money you make is more Money (i.e., amount of money you make is more important than what you do)important than what you do)– While starting salaries of CS PhD graduates are good, can While starting salaries of CS PhD graduates are good, can

reach higher salary if you worked since you got your BS/MS reach higher salary if you worked since you got your BS/MS degree degree

Plus money earned during that timePlus money earned during that time 55

What qualities do you need to be What qualities do you need to be successful in the PhD program?successful in the PhD program?

Passion and Self-MotivationPassion and Self-Motivation– Doing a PhD is a life changing decisionDoing a PhD is a life changing decision

– Be sure that this is the path you want to follow in life (yes, Be sure that this is the path you want to follow in life (yes, it’s normal to have doubts sometimes)it’s normal to have doubts sometimes)

Perseverance and Self-ConfidencePerseverance and Self-Confidence– It could be heartbreaking to work hard for one-two years and It could be heartbreaking to work hard for one-two years and

get your paper rejectedget your paper rejected

– Trust yourself (and your ideas) and don’t give upTrust yourself (and your ideas) and don’t give up

IndependenceIndependence– It’s your PhD; you should know what you want to do, how It’s your PhD; you should know what you want to do, how

you want to do it, etc.you want to do it, etc.

Obviously, you need intelligenceObviously, you need intelligence– Many times you don’t know how smart you are until Many times you don’t know how smart you are until

somebody challenges yousomebody challenges you 66

CS department expectations*CS department expectations*

Take qualifying exams after first year and pass them Take qualifying exams after first year and pass them all after second yearall after second year– Proves that you are good enough to continue in the programProves that you are good enough to continue in the program

Find advisor and choose thesis topic after second yearFind advisor and choose thesis topic after second year Defend thesis proposal by the end of third yearDefend thesis proposal by the end of third year

– Not very strict deadline (depends on progress and advisor)Not very strict deadline (depends on progress and advisor)

Defend thesis by the end of fourth yearDefend thesis by the end of fourth year– Can stay longer if necessary if advisor awards you RAshipCan stay longer if necessary if advisor awards you RAship

Take a number of courses and maintain a decent GPA Take a number of courses and maintain a decent GPA (e.g., 3.5) throughout these years(e.g., 3.5) throughout these years

* refer to full time, department-supported students* refer to full time, department-supported students

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Advisor expectationsAdvisor expectations

Every PhD student must have thesis/research advisorEvery PhD student must have thesis/research advisor Advisor decides when student is ready to graduateAdvisor decides when student is ready to graduate

– Process very similar to apprenticeshipProcess very similar to apprenticeship

– Thesis committee makes sure advisor’s decision is correct and Thesis committee makes sure advisor’s decision is correct and gives feedback to improve workgives feedback to improve work

Each advisor has own requirements, but they can be Each advisor has own requirements, but they can be generalized as:generalized as:– Have enough background in CS and depth in your research areaHave enough background in CS and depth in your research area

– Work on one or multiple projects and Work on one or multiple projects and publish the results in publish the results in several good conference/journal papersseveral good conference/journal papers

– Be able to clearly present your ideas and resultsBe able to clearly present your ideas and results

– Write a good thesisWrite a good thesis

Your papers and thesis must include your novel ideasYour papers and thesis must include your novel ideas– Of course, they include your advisor’s ideas as wellOf course, they include your advisor’s ideas as well

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First yearFirst year

Get involved in research!Get involved in research!

– Ask professors with research interests matching yoursAsk professors with research interests matching yours

– Combine reading with working on a small part of a projectCombine reading with working on a small part of a project

– ““Steal” tricks of the trade from advisor and more senior studentsSteal” tricks of the trade from advisor and more senior students

Classes and the qualifying exam are required, but don’t Classes and the qualifying exam are required, but don’t spend more time than necessary on themspend more time than necessary on them

– Nobody cares about the grades of someone with a PhD degreeNobody cares about the grades of someone with a PhD degree

Don’t get bogged down with teaching/gradingDon’t get bogged down with teaching/grading

– Need to do a decent job, but make sure you don’t work more Need to do a decent job, but make sure you don’t work more than the required 20 hours/week (many times you can work a lot than the required 20 hours/week (many times you can work a lot less)less)

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TAship vs. RAshipTAship vs. RAship RAship is betterRAship is better

– Can spend time on you research instead of teachingCan spend time on you research instead of teaching

– Being awarded an RAship means you’re doing wellBeing awarded an RAship means you’re doing well

– Since RAship comes from a grant, the advisor will ask you to Since RAship comes from a grant, the advisor will ask you to work on the project defined by that grantwork on the project defined by that grant

– Advisor can ask you to work on demos or robust Advisor can ask you to work on demos or robust implementations as required by grant (which are not implementations as required by grant (which are not necessarily research)necessarily research)

TAship has some advantages as wellTAship has some advantages as well

– Independent to work with several professors before deciding Independent to work with several professors before deciding about advisorabout advisor

– Teaching experience required if you think of academic career Teaching experience required if you think of academic career

– Teaching helps you improve communication skillsTeaching helps you improve communication skills

– Every PhD student should teach at least one semester Every PhD student should teach at least one semester 1010

Choosing research areaChoosing research area

Don’t celebrate too much passing the qualifying Don’t celebrate too much passing the qualifying examsexams

– You are expected to pass You are expected to pass

Choose area based on your research interests Choose area based on your research interests

– Must like it; otherwise, the next few years will be painfulMust like it; otherwise, the next few years will be painful

– Don’t choose it just because you can get an RAshipDon’t choose it just because you can get an RAship

Need to think strategically as wellNeed to think strategically as well

– Is this a hot area?Is this a hot area?

– Will you get a good job in this area after graduation?Will you get a good job in this area after graduation?

– Hard to predict if certain areas that are hot now will still be Hard to predict if certain areas that are hot now will still be hot in 4 yearshot in 4 years

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Choosing advisorChoosing advisor

Should be compatible with advisor/get well togetherShould be compatible with advisor/get well together

Tenured advisorsTenured advisors

– Have more experience, could have more money, could have Have more experience, could have more money, could have more connectionsmore connections

– Don’t push you hard, don’t have time to work closely with you Don’t push you hard, don’t have time to work closely with you

Tenure-track advisorsTenure-track advisors

– Will push you hard (their future career depends on your Will push you hard (their future career depends on your results), but will work with you (i.e., co-authors of thesis)results), but will work with you (i.e., co-authors of thesis)

– Might have more up-to-date information about job searchingMight have more up-to-date information about job searching

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Choosing thesis topicChoosing thesis topic

It’s your topic, but the advisor must approve itIt’s your topic, but the advisor must approve it

It’s rare to know the topic from the moment you start It’s rare to know the topic from the moment you start working with advisorworking with advisor

– If work supported by a grant, the general topic is somewhat If work supported by a grant, the general topic is somewhat clearerclearer

More common to work on several related topics in your More common to work on several related topics in your chosen areachosen area

– First ideas might not work, new ideas could come upFirst ideas might not work, new ideas could come up

– Some will be more successful than others publication-wiseSome will be more successful than others publication-wise

– Many times, thesis will define a common framework for topics Many times, thesis will define a common framework for topics covered by publicationscovered by publications

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Take ownership of your PhDTake ownership of your PhD

No one is responsible for getting your degree but youNo one is responsible for getting your degree but you

– Faculty set up opportunity, but it’s up to you to leverage itFaculty set up opportunity, but it’s up to you to leverage it

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Doing research (1)Doing research (1) Be proactive! Be proactive!

– Don’t wait for advisor to push youDon’t wait for advisor to push you

Reading papersReading papers– Develop critical thinking: identify both strong and weak pointsDevelop critical thinking: identify both strong and weak points

– Advisor will point you to important papers as well as Advisor will point you to important papers as well as conferences and journals in your areaconferences and journals in your area

– You responsibility to find more papers starting from these You responsibility to find more papers starting from these pointerspointers

– Must read a few papers every weekMust read a few papers every week

– Read outside your area as wellRead outside your area as well

– Follow technology news to know where the world is goingFollow technology news to know where the world is going

– Let advisor/colleagues know about interesting things you readLet advisor/colleagues know about interesting things you read

– Robin Kravets’s advices for reading/presenting papersRobin Kravets’s advices for reading/presenting papers

http://www.cs.njit.edu/~borcea/reading-papers-talk.pdf1515

Doing research (2)Doing research (2)

Identifying important and hard problemsIdentifying important and hard problems

– Learn to differentiate between cool problems and junkLearn to differentiate between cool problems and junk

Advisor will offer a lot of guidanceAdvisor will offer a lot of guidance

– By graduation time, acquire good taste for selecting problemsBy graduation time, acquire good taste for selecting problems

Problem solving/designProblem solving/design

– Always ask yourself: Always ask yourself: “what’s the novelty of my solution?”“what’s the novelty of my solution?”

Also: how is it different from/similar to alternative solutions?Also: how is it different from/similar to alternative solutions?

– Advisor suggests a potential solutionAdvisor suggests a potential solution

Never go back and say “doesn’t work!”Never go back and say “doesn’t work!”

Instead, say “X didn’t work, but how about Y or Z?”Instead, say “X didn’t work, but how about Y or Z?”

– Don’t get upset/discouraged if advisor points out drawbacks in Don’t get upset/discouraged if advisor points out drawbacks in your solutions – it’s technical, not personal your solutions – it’s technical, not personal 1616

Doing research (3)Doing research (3) ImplementationImplementation

– Except for purely theoretical CS, will have to implement your Except for purely theoretical CS, will have to implement your ideasideas

– Every successful project goes through this unglamorous, hard Every successful project goes through this unglamorous, hard phasephase

Design is more fun than implementing itDesign is more fun than implementing it– No magic here: work hard!No magic here: work hard!– Don’t suffer in silence if you don’t know how to implement Don’t suffer in silence if you don’t know how to implement

something or have troubles with a bug – ask colleagues or advisor something or have troubles with a bug – ask colleagues or advisor for helpfor help

EvaluationEvaluation– Prove that your solution works as claimedProve that your solution works as claimed– Should know from the design time experiments and metricsShould know from the design time experiments and metrics– Form a hypothesis: what type of results you expectForm a hypothesis: what type of results you expect– Experiments contradict hypothesis: think of potential reasons and Experiments contradict hypothesis: think of potential reasons and

discuss them with advisordiscuss them with advisor Work in the lab a significant amount of timeWork in the lab a significant amount of time

– Learn from interactions with colleagues/advisorLearn from interactions with colleagues/advisor1717

Mutual trust between student and Mutual trust between student and advisoradvisor

Trust advisor and earn his/her trust (e.g., through good Trust advisor and earn his/her trust (e.g., through good work, reliability)work, reliability)– Advisors, being human, are not perfect, but try their best to Advisors, being human, are not perfect, but try their best to

help help

Almost everyone goes through periods when doubts Almost everyone goes through periods when doubts advisor (the converse holds as well)advisor (the converse holds as well)– Papers getting rejectedPapers getting rejected

– Different opinions on how to proceed with a project Different opinions on how to proceed with a project

– Seemingly advisor cares only about his careerSeemingly advisor cares only about his career

During these periods, remember the advisor/student During these periods, remember the advisor/student symbiosissymbiosis– Advisors work hard to get grants to support your work Advisors work hard to get grants to support your work

– You work hard to produce results that will enable new grantsYou work hard to produce results that will enable new grants

– Typically, what is good for advisor is good for student, and Typically, what is good for advisor is good for student, and what is good for student is good for advisorwhat is good for student is good for advisor

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Communicating your resultsCommunicating your results

Clear communication separates top students from Clear communication separates top students from average average – An unknown brilliant result is useless An unknown brilliant result is useless

Write and publish papers in conferences/journalsWrite and publish papers in conferences/journals– ““If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen”If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen”– ““Publish or perish”Publish or perish”– Reviewed by peersReviewed by peers– Hard to get accepted (good publication venues have 10-15% Hard to get accepted (good publication venues have 10-15%

acceptance ratio)acceptance ratio)– Can start small with conference posters or workshop papersCan start small with conference posters or workshop papers

TalksTalks– Presentations of accepted conference papers (or invited talks)Presentations of accepted conference papers (or invited talks)– Good chance to convince people that you did great researchGood chance to convince people that you did great research

Successful researchers spend 50% of time writing Successful researchers spend 50% of time writing papers and preparing talkspapers and preparing talks 1919

Writing papersWriting papers

A lot harder than you think!A lot harder than you think!– Good results are not published due to sloppy writingGood results are not published due to sloppy writing

Ask advisor for models of good papersAsk advisor for models of good papers Get feedback from advisor early and often; then re-writeGet feedback from advisor early and often; then re-write Read Shrunk and White book on writingRead Shrunk and White book on writing One idea per paragraphOne idea per paragraph

– Do paragraphs follow one another in a logical structure?Do paragraphs follow one another in a logical structure? Typical structure: abstract, introduction, related work, Typical structure: abstract, introduction, related work,

design, implementation, evaluation, conclusionsdesign, implementation, evaluation, conclusions Have clear abstract/introductionHave clear abstract/introduction

– If vague or poorly written, reviewers will just look for reasons to If vague or poorly written, reviewers will just look for reasons to reject afterwardsreject afterwards

Don’t claim more than you didDon’t claim more than you did– Distinguish between “will do” and “have been done”Distinguish between “will do” and “have been done”

2020

Conference talksConference talks Goal is to make audience read your paper and talk with Goal is to make audience read your paper and talk with

youyou– Emphasize the main idea, skip some detailsEmphasize the main idea, skip some details– Shouldn’t follow too closely the structure of the paperShouldn’t follow too closely the structure of the paper– Pay special attention to motivationPay special attention to motivation

The more illustrations, the betterThe more illustrations, the better– ““A picture is worth 1000 words”A picture is worth 1000 words”– Don’t take this talk as model Don’t take this talk as model

The more you practice, the fewer surprises during the The more you practice, the fewer surprises during the actual talkactual talk– Time management is your responsibility; be prepared to skip slidesTime management is your responsibility; be prepared to skip slides

Show excitementShow excitement– If you are not excited, then why would anyone else be?If you are not excited, then why would anyone else be?

Be clear, firm, and polite when answering questionsBe clear, firm, and polite when answering questions– Show belief in your workShow belief in your work

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Attending conferencesAttending conferences

Typically, you go when have an accepted paperTypically, you go when have an accepted paper– Could ask advisor to pay or get travel grants to go to top Could ask advisor to pay or get travel grants to go to top

conferences even if you don’t have paper thereconferences even if you don’t have paper there

Check technical program ahead of time and identify Check technical program ahead of time and identify papers/people of interestpapers/people of interest

Goal is to do networking, not just hear technical talksGoal is to do networking, not just hear technical talks– Take advantage of coffee breaks/lunches/receptions to talk Take advantage of coffee breaks/lunches/receptions to talk

with peoplewith people

– Be prepared to initiate conversations and introduce your work Be prepared to initiate conversations and introduce your work (prepare an elevator pitch)(prepare an elevator pitch)

– Get contact information from people you want to stay in touchGet contact information from people you want to stay in touch

– Learn how top researchers present their work and answer Learn how top researchers present their work and answer questionsquestions

People you meet there can hire you, review your People you meet there can hire you, review your papers, or become future collaboratorspapers, or become future collaborators 2222

Summer internshipsSummer internships

You should go once or twiceYou should go once or twice– Get real-world experience, make connectionsGet real-world experience, make connections

– Must do it if plan to work in research labs/industryMust do it if plan to work in research labs/industry

– Go in research oriented placesGo in research oriented places Doing an internship just for money is not worth the timeDoing an internship just for money is not worth the time

Decide together with advisor when and where to goDecide together with advisor when and where to go– Advisor can help you go to good places (e.g., IBM Research, Advisor can help you go to good places (e.g., IBM Research,

Microsoft Research)Microsoft Research)

– Better go once you have at least one publication; can select Better go once you have at least one publication; can select internship that allows you to work on related topicsinternship that allows you to work on related topics

Be aware that they can delay graduation as summers Be aware that they can delay graduation as summers can be very productive research-wisecan be very productive research-wise– ““Can’t have the cake and eat it too”Can’t have the cake and eat it too”

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How much should you work?How much should you work?

Students in high-ranked schools work between 60 and Students in high-ranked schools work between 60 and 80 hours per week80 hours per week– Faculty spend a similar amount of timeFaculty spend a similar amount of time

– Don’t get fooled that you do better than some colleagues Don’t get fooled that you do better than some colleagues while spending a lot less timewhile spending a lot less time

– You will compete for jobs with students form other schools as You will compete for jobs with students form other schools as wellwell

Citing my advisor: “school breaks are for undergrad Citing my advisor: “school breaks are for undergrad students”students”– Good time to work in case you have teaching dutiesGood time to work in case you have teaching duties

– The advisor has more free time to help youThe advisor has more free time to help you

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Work only the number of hours you are paid!Work only the number of hours you are paid!– Don’t let the master class exploit the workers!Don’t let the master class exploit the workers!

Don’t have time to finish all your Don’t have time to finish all your tasks?tasks?

Must acquire time management skillsMust acquire time management skills Write down your tasks (both work-related and personal), Write down your tasks (both work-related and personal),

set deadlines, and categorize them function of importanceset deadlines, and categorize them function of importance Randy Pausch’s graph for task time management:Randy Pausch’s graph for task time management:

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Importance

Urgency

Obviously, finishthese tasks first

Continue withthese tasks

More on time managementMore on time management

Don’t have time for personal life?Don’t have time for personal life?

Some personal tasks must have high importanceSome personal tasks must have high importance

Family/friends help you avoid “going nuts” Family/friends help you avoid “going nuts”

According to previous slide, you might end up not doing According to previous slide, you might end up not doing “urgent, but not important tasks”; it’s ok, the world goes on“urgent, but not important tasks”; it’s ok, the world goes on

Know yourself and Know yourself and manage advisor’s expectationsmanage advisor’s expectations

– Learn to estimate accurately the time it takes to do certain Learn to estimate accurately the time it takes to do certain taskstasks

– Learn to say “no” if it’s not possible to do a task before a Learn to say “no” if it’s not possible to do a task before a deadlinedeadline

– Try hard to respect deadlines once you agreed to themTry hard to respect deadlines once you agreed to them

– Inform your advisor as soon as you are getting behind the Inform your advisor as soon as you are getting behind the scheduleschedule

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When to graduate?When to graduate? Graduating as fast as possible might not be the best Graduating as fast as possible might not be the best

ideaidea

– This is not the Olympics where the best finishes firstThis is not the Olympics where the best finishes first

– Should become a well-rounded researcher, not just someone Should become a well-rounded researcher, not just someone very narrow expertisevery narrow expertise

– Working on larger/higher impact project might take longer, but Working on larger/higher impact project might take longer, but help you become a better researcher and get a better jobhelp you become a better researcher and get a better job

– Taking classes outside your area and attending seminars/talks Taking classes outside your area and attending seminars/talks can improve your overall backgroundcan improve your overall background

– Doing paper reviews or helping advisor with grant proposals Doing paper reviews or helping advisor with grant proposals can take time, but are invaluable learning experiencescan take time, but are invaluable learning experiences

– Job market conditions may delay graduationJob market conditions may delay graduation

Taking longer than 6 years not good eitherTaking longer than 6 years not good either

– Potential employers don’t like itPotential employers don’t like it

– Even advisor might lose interest in youEven advisor might lose interest in you2727

Thesis (1)Thesis (1) Thesis: one sentence to describe your contribution to the Thesis: one sentence to describe your contribution to the

progress of humankindprogress of humankind Dissertation: the 100s pages that prove the thesisDissertation: the 100s pages that prove the thesis Dissertation is very much a collection of your publicationsDissertation is very much a collection of your publications

– Of course, need to link them well under one clear thesisOf course, need to link them well under one clear thesis

– Also, need extensive related work and potentially more experimentsAlso, need extensive related work and potentially more experiments

Thesis proposalThesis proposal– ~= thesis without a chapter or two~= thesis without a chapter or two

– Not as important as you may think because early validation of your Not as important as you may think because early validation of your research comes from good publicationsresearch comes from good publications

– Form thesis committee and get feedback from committee membersForm thesis committee and get feedback from committee members Both student and advisor must agree on committee members Both student and advisor must agree on committee members

– Contract between you and committee: agree on content to be Contract between you and committee: agree on content to be added in the final thesisadded in the final thesis

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Thesis (2)Thesis (2)

Finish writing during your final yearFinish writing during your final year– In parallel with job searchingIn parallel with job searching– Models: theses that received ACM awardsModels: theses that received ACM awards

Thesis defense is reason to celebrateThesis defense is reason to celebrate– Advisor/committee won’t allow you to defend if not readyAdvisor/committee won’t allow you to defend if not ready

Not a good idea to defend if you don’t have a job Not a good idea to defend if you don’t have a job (especially for foreign students who plan to stay in US)(especially for foreign students who plan to stay in US)– Unless you don’t receive support any longerUnless you don’t receive support any longer

You could get job before thesis defenseYou could get job before thesis defense– Risk: you might never get the drive to finishRisk: you might never get the drive to finish

““Useful things to know about PhD thesis research” by Useful things to know about PhD thesis research” by H.T. KungH.T. Kung– http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~htk/thesis.htmhttp://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~htk/thesis.htm

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Job searchingJob searching Once advisor confirms you will be ready to graduate Once advisor confirms you will be ready to graduate

that year, prepare:that year, prepare:– CV (long, not the typical 2-page resume)CV (long, not the typical 2-page resume)

– Research statement (at least 2 pages) outlining your research Research statement (at least 2 pages) outlining your research contributions and future planscontributions and future plans

– Teaching statement (if applying to academia) outlining your Teaching statement (if applying to academia) outlining your teaching experience, teaching philosophy, etcteaching experience, teaching philosophy, etc

– List of referencesList of references

– Have them ready by early DecemberHave them ready by early December

Most academia and research jobs are posted by JanuaryMost academia and research jobs are posted by January– Must submit the above-mentioned documents by their deadlinesMust submit the above-mentioned documents by their deadlines

Have your job talk ready by JanuaryHave your job talk ready by January Learn about research interviews by JanuaryLearn about research interviews by January Wait for call/email and hope Wait for call/email and hope

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Job in academiaJob in academia Research universities have similar starting salary with Research universities have similar starting salary with

research labs (but doesn’t increase at the same rate)research labs (but doesn’t increase at the same rate)– Teaching university have significantly lower salary (and no Teaching university have significantly lower salary (and no

research)research)

Flexibility to choose research topicsFlexibility to choose research topics– Can work on fundamental research and explore higher risk Can work on fundamental research and explore higher risk

ideasideas

– Need to get them funded through grantsNeed to get them funded through grants

Can publish and go to conferences more often than in Can publish and go to conferences more often than in research labsresearch labs

Can make your own scheduleCan make your own schedule– In the beginning, you work more than in industryIn the beginning, you work more than in industry

Can influence people directly through educationCan influence people directly through education Safer job (after tenure)Safer job (after tenure)

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Job in research labJob in research lab Over a number of years, salary will be slightly higher Over a number of years, salary will be slightly higher

than academia (could go for management positions as than academia (could go for management positions as well)well)

Can have impact on real world through products Can have impact on real world through products incorporating your ideasincorporating your ideas

Research topics need to be in line with company’s Research topics need to be in line with company’s goals and approved by managersgoals and approved by managers– Short-term profit-oriented research may preclude you from Short-term profit-oriented research may preclude you from

working on fundamental or high risk topicsworking on fundamental or high risk topics

– Working in an R&D department is even more about practical Working in an R&D department is even more about practical research that can quickly turn into profitresearch that can quickly turn into profit

– Still need to worry about funding (convince your managers to Still need to worry about funding (convince your managers to invest in your ideas)invest in your ideas)

Can’t publish everythingCan’t publish everything– Patents first, publication later (if at all)Patents first, publication later (if at all)

Job safety depends on company health & marketJob safety depends on company health & market 3232

What do interviewers look for in What do interviewers look for in your CV?your CV?

Thesis title, research interests, and name of advisorThesis title, research interests, and name of advisor– The advisor’s reputation matters a lotThe advisor’s reputation matters a lot

Research contributionsResearch contributions– Projects you worked on and their main resultsProjects you worked on and their main results

– Software distributionsSoftware distributions List of papers List of papers & talks (& patents if any)& talks (& patents if any) Teaching experience (for academia)Teaching experience (for academia) List of referencesList of references

– Reference letters are very importantReference letters are very important CS community service (e.g., conference/journal CS community service (e.g., conference/journal

reviewer)reviewer) NO!NO!

– GPAGPA

– Programming languages, tools, etc (you have a PhD in CS! Programming languages, tools, etc (you have a PhD in CS! You’re supposed to either know or be able to learn everything)You’re supposed to either know or be able to learn everything)

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Job talkJob talk Single most important part of your interviewSingle most important part of your interview Two main purposesTwo main purposes

– Sell yourselfSell yourself

– Sell your researchSell your research Write down 3-4 ideas you’re going to say per slideWrite down 3-4 ideas you’re going to say per slide

– Practice and remember those ideasPractice and remember those ideas Do dry runs with advisor, colleagues, friendsDo dry runs with advisor, colleagues, friends Videotape yourself and try to improve … after the Videotape yourself and try to improve … after the

shock of watching the recording has passed shock of watching the recording has passed Practice questions and answersPractice questions and answers More information on job talks and interviews from More information on job talks and interviews from

Jeanette WingJeanette Wing– http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wing/www/tips.pdfhttp://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wing/www/tips.pdf

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One-to-one interviewsOne-to-one interviews Typically, 30 minutes about your research and Typically, 30 minutes about your research and

everything elseeverything else They look forThey look for

– CreativityCreativity

– BrainpowerBrainpower

– IndependenceIndependence

– Technical skillsTechnical skills

– LeadershipLeadership

– EnergyEnergy

– Fitting inFitting in Be prepared, articulated, honest, genuinely curiousBe prepared, articulated, honest, genuinely curious

– Ask questions about the person’s researchAsk questions about the person’s research

– Ask questions about the place to see if it’s right for youAsk questions about the place to see if it’s right for you

– OK to engage in less technical discussions (e.g., benefits, OK to engage in less technical discussions (e.g., benefits, housing)housing)

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Selecting a jobSelecting a job Congratulations, you got several job offers! Congratulations, you got several job offers! Many factors to consider besides moneyMany factors to consider besides money

– Reputation of the placeReputation of the place– Can you grow there? Possibilities for promotion?Can you grow there? Possibilities for promotion?– Will you get along well with your Will you get along well with your

colleagues/bosses?colleagues/bosses?– GeographyGeography– Two-body problemTwo-body problem– Cost of livingCost of living– Quality of schoolsQuality of schools– Are you a city person or more of the outdoor-type?Are you a city person or more of the outdoor-type?

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More readings instead of conclusionMore readings instead of conclusion

““How to Be a Good Graduate Student” by Marie desJardinsHow to Be a Good Graduate Student” by Marie desJardins– http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html http://www.cs.indiana.edu/how.2b/how.2b.html

““So long, and thanks for the Ph.D.!” by Ronald T. AzumaSo long, and thanks for the Ph.D.!” by Ronald T. Azuma– http://www.cs.unc.edu/~azuma/hitch4.htmlhttp://www.cs.unc.edu/~azuma/hitch4.html

““You and your research” by Richard HammingYou and your research” by Richard Hamming– http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.htmlhttp://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html

““Technology and courage” by Ivan SutherlandTechnology and courage” by Ivan Sutherland– http://research.sun.com/techrep/Perspectives/smli_ps-1.pdfhttp://research.sun.com/techrep/Perspectives/smli_ps-1.pdf

““How to have a bad career in academia” by David PattersonHow to have a bad career in academia” by David Patterson– http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~pattrsn/talks/BadCareer.ppthttp://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~pattrsn/talks/BadCareer.ppt

““Paper writing and presentation” by Armando FoxPaper writing and presentation” by Armando Fox– http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~fox/paper_writing.htmlhttp://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~fox/paper_writing.html

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Your time in the PhD program is a Your time in the PhD program is a unique experience: Enjoy it!unique experience: Enjoy it!

Good luck and make us proud!Good luck and make us proud!

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