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You’re a UC Engineering Graduate Student Now what?. Mike Borowczak September 16 th 2010. Outline*. Introduction Talk Questions. *Outline taken from Jorge Cham; Author & Cartoonist behind PhD Comics. Warning! Non-UC Data Ahead…. Surviving Grad School. A Little Motivation. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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You’re a UC Engineering Graduate Student
Now what?
Mike BorowczakSeptember 16th 2010
Outline*
• Introduction
• Talk• Questions
*Outline taken from Jorge Cham; Author & Cartoonist behind PhD Comics
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SURVIVING GRAD SCHOOLWarning! Non-UC Data Ahead…
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A Little Motivation
Source: Council of Graduate Schools Completion and Attrition Program Data
http://www.phdcompletion.org/
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Student Life in 15 Minutes?
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Student Life in 15 Minutes?
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WHY IS GRAD SCHOOL SODIFFICULT?
It’s a balancing act…
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We may not be good balancers
Full-Time Students Most Part-Time StudentsFull-Time Students
It’s all about reaching a reasonable and obtainable balance…
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THOUGHTS ON BALANCE
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The Four Quadrant To Do MatrixThe Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People: Restoring the Character Ethic, by Stephen R. Covey, Simon and Schuster, 1989.
Do it N
ow!
Do it N
ow!
Decid
e when
to d
o it.
Decid
e when
to d
o it.
Dump it
!
Dump it
!
Deleg
ate
it.
Deleg
ate
it.
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Random Thoughts
• Organize Your Inbox • Learn how to create and use filters and/or rules• Fast tip (using Gmail)
– [email protected]– [email protected]– [email protected]– [email protected]– These all go to [email protected] but now I can
create filters quickly, based on +ta, +ece, etc
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Student Life in 15 Minutes?
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Seek Answers – then Ask!
Other Opportunities? “Resume Building 101”
• Assistantships– Teaching, Graduate, Research
• Industry Partnerships• Graduate Student Governance Association (gsga)
– UC wide, Departmental– http://www.uc.edu/gsga
• Student Organizations (sald)– http://www.uc.edu/sald– http://www.uc.edu/sald/Student_Organizations/Org_Listin
g.html
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Student Life in 15 Minutes?
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What about Academics & Research?
• Habits
• Advisor
• Topic
• Tips
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Research Habits
• Be proactive– In coursework, reading, writing, etc
• Organize yourself– Electronic Tracking of important and relevant
works + summaries – Journal Entries of thoughts, important works,
failures etc.
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Research Habits
• READ (it’s up to you to do so)– Set up automated notifications of new works
• Take ownership– You’re the one working towards your degree
• Not your advisor, your friends, or your family
– Do not expect your advisor to spoon feed you your next steps
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Your Advisor & You
• *Keep your advisor happy– They’re the one, with vested interest, who
will be there to stand up for you!
• Communicate– Often*: One-on-One is best*– Goals: Personal, Research, Publication– Issues*: Lab, Research Related
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“A Good Advisor”
Is a mentor that will:
• Motivate• Invest time on you & your
research• Give Credit• Defend• Critique Your Work
Is an employer that will:
• Look out for your interests
• Help you graduate• Be respected in their field• Maintain Connections• Speak well of you/your
work
Vaughan Pratthttp://boole.stanford.edu/pratt.html
Choosing A Topic
• Where to start?– Conference Publications in your general area of
interest (Relevance)
– Current works by current students (Foundations)
– Something to INTERESTS You!• PhD – 3-7 years of your life
• MS – 1-3 years of your life
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Topic
• Listen– To current students– To professors– In you weekly seminar class!
• READ– Effectively & Efficiently– Quality Publications from reputable
conferences & journals
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Tips
• Reading– Locate Solid Works
• Abstract & Conclusion First• Skim literature review & background
– After locating theses, dissertations, & papers• Review and Read Papers in their Entirety• Use Reference Section
– much easier & specific than a generic Google
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Tips
• Progress– Begin with the End in Mind
• Set Goals• Set a Timeline• Add Meetings & Presentations to help maintain Timeline
– Use project management techniques to advance• GTD: Get Things Done
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done• Scrum: Agile Product Development Technique
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum_(development)
– Multi-task & Balance!
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A Little More on Scrum
Waterfall Approach Scrum Approach
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Images from http://scrumreferencecard.com/
Student Life in 15 Minutes?
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Social Life
• Get Involved– Join, Participate, Lead, Found
• Explore & Visit– Cincinnati & Beyond
• Burst Your Bubble– Go beyond your comfort zone
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Get Involved & Make Connections
• @UC– Over 300 Student run groups
• Find them all at http://www.uc.edu/sald• Everything from local sections of professional organizations to
Cricket to amateur radio club to karate– Create your own group!
• 10 students + an advisor
• Volunteer & Give Back– Through Student Groups – In the College, University, Cincinnati
• Google Search
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Explore & Visit
• Cincinnati– General
• cincinnati.citysearch.com
• 365cincinnati.com
• www.cincinnatiusa.com (UC provides this one..?)
• Radial Search Outward– Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville,
Lexington, Cleveland, Nashville Chicago…
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Burst Your Bubble• Try something new
– Sporting Events• goBEARCATS.com ! Football, Soccer, Baseball, Volleyball …• Reds, Bengals, Cyclones, Crew (Columbus)
– Food• Culturally Diverse (Japanese, Korean, Indian, Thai, German, etc)• www.bearcash.com (coupons for food + misc stuff around UC)
– Experience(s)• Museums (Many are free / reduced cost to students)• Rec Center: Rock Climbing, Martial Arts, Swim in an Olympic Size
Pool etc.
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QUESTIONS?
http://www.mborowczak.com
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