GradShare blogs

GradShare 360 - Newt (the Schrute) Gingrich

DevinMcGinty — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:03:10 GMT

I treat this blog like I'm playing it safe at a dinner party; I stay away from conversations about politics, money and religion. However, it's difficult not to have fun with some of the more light hearted political news that has been floating around lately. Newt Gingrich has gone on record saying that Brad Pitt should portray him if there were to be a movie about his life -- clearly Newt hasn't seen this photo! As for Brad Pitt, this isn't the first time he's been mentioned in a political conversation (as folks in New Orleans already know). I think that all of this is hilarious, but it may end up confusing younger generations. For example, I'm convinced half of the kids growing up during the Bush administration still think Will Ferrell is George W. Bush. And just for the record kids, Darrell Hammond and Bill Clinton are not the same person...I think. Let's Check out some grad school news:

Cash Rules Everything Around Me -- I'm not talking about the Wu-Tang song, but I am talking about being a grad student. Here is some advice on how you can save money while you do your Ph.D.
If you manage to save a little extra money, how will you use it? You could spend it on a date...unless you don't have a date. The good people at GradHacker have some tips on the dating scene in grad school. And if it's just money you lack, Dave Chappelle can show you how to budget on that date.
Here is a great article/video from Justin Detwiler at Auburn University. He talks about his graduate school experience, and new/prospective grad students will find his insight very valuable. Thanks Justin and Auburn Family!
The Chronicle just ran an article about hundreds of people from the University of Michigan uniting to oppose unionization of graduate researchers. So much for me not getting political, right? But this is important news!

Check back soon for more grad school news, and don't forget to follow GradShare on Facebook & Twitter!

GradShare 360 - Star Spangled Screeching

DevinMcGinty — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:58:59 GMT

How would you feel if you had an advisor that gave you a huge endorsement, speaking very highly about the quality of your work. However, then you read a recent publication by that advisor and realize it's utterly awful; "If this is the quality of his/her work, what does that say about their comments on my work?!" That is exactly how most American Idol winning contestants felt after watching Steven Tyler shriek the National Anthem this past weekend. Let's check out some grad school news:

Engineer Blogs brings us an interesting perspective on (Foreign) Grad School Admissions. Be sure to check out the comments.
Beyond fulfilling a requirement, their are certain advantages to volunteering in grad school; you might be the one that benefits the most.
Some business schools have started incorporating a focus on politics within coursework; however, some MBA grads call it a waste of time. What do you think?
Lawrence H. Summers from The New York Times reminds us that the format of higher education is rapidly changing, and that goes for much more than just business school.

Check back for more grad school news and don't forget to follow GradShare on Twitter & Facebook!

GradShare 360 - Kickin' It at the BCS Championship

DevinMcGinty — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:43:41 GMT

Tonight (or last night if you're reading this on Tuesday) LSU plays against Alabama in the BCS National Championship. The rival schools are set to square off in New Orleans at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in what is sure to be a game for the ages. The action won't stop until the final whistle blows, not even at halftime -- that's when Jonathan Pahlas, a UGA grad student, will attempt a 40 yard field-goal for a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Be sure to tune in, and root on Jonathan as he represents grad students everywhere! Let's check out some grad school news:

Check out this recent article from the Chronicle that suggests a different approach may need to be taken when teaching grad students.
Have you ever thought about why college is still relevant in the age of free information?
The University of Texas at Austin shared a great article about gaining the edge in graduate school.
PhD Comics helped ring in the New Year by providing a new comic. Start the first month of 2012 with a good 'ole grad school laugh.

Be sure to follow GradShare on Twitter & Facebook, and check back for more news!

GradShare 360 - TIMMY!!

DevinMcGinty — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:01:56 GMT

You grad students are smart -- so maybe you can explain why South Park hasn't done a Tim Tebow episode yet. "I mean, come on." I suppose it's only a matter of time. Just like it's only a matter of time until most of you finish up the semester and get to exhale during the holiday break. It may be short-lived, but enjoy the time with your friends and family, get re-charged, oh and keep your eyes peeled for Tim Tebow on South Park in the near future. Let's check out some grad school news:

Some grad students from Kansas State recently helped design a Wounded War Clinic. Great work!
Speaking of great work, check out these UW-Oshkosh grad students that are using literacy intervention techniques to tutor first graders; everyone involved is benefiting from the effort.
For all the students getting ready to embark on a postgraduate education, here are some tips for applying to grad school.
Grad students are human, so not everything they do is positive. These grad students got caught stealing...coupons?
Do you have the skills to pay the bills? Here are the top skills that MBA grads need for success.

Be sure to check back for more, and don't forget to follow GradShare on Twitter & Facebook!

Book Review - Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In, by Dave G. Mumby

DevinMcGinty — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:45:26 GMT

So, are you content with your bachelor's degree -- or do you just think that you can't afford grad school? Perhaps you're convinced that your grades aren't up to par, or that you won't do well in a certain program. The application process seems too daunting, so you've decided to forego the opportunity to attend grad school, and roll the dice in the job market. Don't settle for that entry level job just yet; there's a book you should read before you make up your mind about postgraduate education.

Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In, by Dave G. Mumby, was originally published in 1997. At that time it was one of the few books on the market that offered advice about applying to graduate school. Fast forward 15 years and we have the second edition. The title has been edited, the role of modern technology in the application process has been addressed, a few key sections have been added, and the book now works in tandem with the website http://mygraduateschool.com/. However, one important element has not changed with this edition -- the content of the book remains an asset to "undergraduate college or University students who are either currently planning to apply to graduate school or professional school, or who have not yet made that decision but eventually will."

Information is only as valuable as its source. Much of the advice and insight throughout the book comes from professors and faculty members, interpretations of other books that offer similar advice, and of course, Dave G. Mumby himself. As a professor at Concordia University, and a supervisor to undergraduate honours and graduate students in psychology, Mumby has direct experience with assisting students that decide to pursue or have pursued postgraduate education. Moreover, he is keen on what selection committees look for when evaluating potential grad students, because he has personally served on such committees.

Experience aside, Mumby's words come across in a calm and direct tone; it's a good lecture spliced with an in-depth conversation during office hours. There is a sense that he genuinely wants to help potential grad students. Several books that offer grad school advice have a chapter near the beginning about, "why you shouldn't go to grad school." Instead, this book includes a section entitled, "Find out what grad school is all about." In fact, that sentiment was the motivation for the introduction to this review. It's not often that you hear (or read) the phrase, "grad school is more rewarding than most people think." It's education, romanticize it if you choose, but the point is that Mumby is helpful, honest, and positive. The positive part is especially refreshing.

Don't get too giddy, the book is just as much realistic as it is positive. You don't want a letter of recommendation from just any professor, regardless of whether you hold he/she in high esteem, or vice versa. You're good grades don't guarantee you'll be successful in grad school. Do you even understand how the application process works? And how can you afford grad school? All of these topics are covered. For example, chapter 11 covers "financing your graduate studies," and the entire fourth chapter is dedicated to a discussion about grades -- "two common misconceptions are that one must have outstanding grades to get into grad school, and that outstanding grades are all one needs."

Early in the book Mumby persistently proclaims that "this book explains it all." Initially, that type of statement was repetitive, but that feeling faded as he delivered on all of his promises. Couple that annoyance with the fact that the book's title ends in a preposition, and those are the two biggest flaws of the book. The information is more than valid -- Mumby not only provides advice on various facets of the application process, but he also invites you into the mind of someone on the selection committee. For instance, "one of the first questions that almost any admissions committee will consider is whether the applicant's goals and interests match the objectives and specialties of the program."

Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In doesn't promise that you will get accepted if you decide to apply; but don't count yourself out until you've given the book a good read. It can help you make important decisions about your future in academia, and regardless of the outcome, you'll come away knowing that you were well informed, thanks to this book.

Graduate School
Winning Strategies For Getting In
Author: Dave G. Mumby, Ph.D.
Proto Press Publications
Copyright 2011
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-0-9682173-5-1
http://MyGraduateSchool.com
Blog: http://mygraduateschool.wordpress.com

GradShare 360 - Can you spel "graduat skool?"

DevinMcGinty — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:10:06 GMT

Here is an excerpt from the closing of an article entitled, I can't spell, and I still got into graduate school: "from my perspective, if you can spell at a fourth-grade level, you should be able to get through life with little issue given today's technology and the formats in which we now produce writings." I disagree, but this is the author's opinion -- so fair enough. What is your opinion? I would love to hear from other graduate students, as well as professors. In the meantime, let's check out some grad school news:

Perhaps there are several foreign students that can spell better than domestic students in the United States, but aside from that, how well do they acculturate?
Some academics will gasp if people compare academia to the holy land; others might wholeheartedly agree. Is a acquiring a Ph.D. similar to a pilgrimage? An interesting perspective.
Graduate student or not, what makes you think you can make bail on terrorism charge? He could have been a law student, but I still doubt he'd have made bail.

GradShare is now on Google+, and you can also follow us on Twitter & Facebook!

Are You Being Bullied?

dorafarkas — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:31:26 GMT

A reader from Benchfly.com sent me a curious question: "Is it possible to get bullied by your advisor?"

The answer is, unfortunately, yes. There are advisors who make the lives of their graduate students very difficult, through poor management or harsh words. Although your PI is your boss, it does not mean that you have no say in how you are being treated. One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

In other words, stand up for yourself, and don't let others bully you. There are several ways PI's can make the lives of their students tough. For example:

(1) Micromanaging. Some PI's check up on their students daily, even multiple times a day. One graduate student was called by her PI on her home number in the evenings and verbally attacked for not running certain experiments. She finally stood up for herself and set boundaries such as no calls on her home number, and no verbal abuse. Her PI agreed, and she was able to concentrate on her work better.

(2) Hostile-aggressive. Some PI's are routinely raise their voice, use strong language, or try to put a guilt trip on you. e.g. "By not using proper technique, you contaminated your cells and now they have a fungus infection. We have to clean out the entire incubator including the cells of the other people. I don't know how you can sleep at night knowing you ruined everyone else's work." This is a real quote that was told to a 1^st year graduate student. Moved nearly to tears, she apologized to the other students who used the incubator. It turned that that, while there were cells in the incubator, none of them were valuable, so there was no reason the student should not be able to sleep.( Those of you who work with cells know that it is hard to pinpoint who contaminated the incubator in the first place)

Standing up to your PI can be intimidating, especially is he or she is very senior. But there are respectful ways of explaining to your PI what your needs are. A rule of thumb is to suggest solutions rather than attack someone. Instead of "You called me really late last night, and I really don't like that" say "It would work better if we discussed experiments during work hours in person, because then I could explain to you in more detail what I am doing." or "I understand that you are upset by the fungus infection in the incubator. I cleaned it out and spoke with everyone who uses it to make sure we all follow protocol. Fortunately, no significant work was lost.

When your PI sees that you are confident and are addressing the situation, he/she will treat you with more respect too.

Wishing you the best,

Dora Farkas, PhD, Founder, PhDNet

Author: "The Smart Way To Your PhD:200 Secrets From 100 Graduates."

www.phdnet.org

dora@phdnet.org

Now Available in Kindle and Softcover!

GradShare 360 - OCCUPY the Gym

DevinMcGinty — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:50:06 GMT

We've all heard of the "freshman 15" -- but is that just a myth? According to researchers Jay Zagorsky and Patricia Smith, "the average college student, both male and female, only gains about three pounds the first year." This comes from a report that they recently published in Social Science Quarterly. Jean Fain from the Huffington Post interviewed the researchers to learn more about their study. So why should you care if you are already in graduate school? Well, you may be interested to read about the "grad school 20." Is it another myth, or a scary reality? Find out by reading the full interview. Let's check out some other grad school news:

At the University of Texas a professor joined forces with graduate students, as well as undergrads, and developed a soccer playing robot. Forget soccer, those grad students should create a dissertation writing robot.
Whoosah. Tips for beating stress in graduate school.
Arizona State University graduate student Stephanie Lee created a "green, luxury e-boutique" for babies, and it earned her a spot as a finalist in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.
Did you know that RefWorks has a new YouTube channel featuring various tutorials? Well, now you know, so check it out!

Check back for more grad school news, and don't forget to follow GradShare on Facebook & Twitter!

Book Review - Grad School Rulz: Everything You Need to Know about Academia From Admissions to Tenure, by Fabio Rojas

DevinMcGinty — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:09:45 GMT

This book is different than other books about postgraduate education for two reasons -- the format and the tone. Unlike the hard copy books we've previously reviewed, this is an eBook; a worthwhile change now that so many readers are using the Kindle, the Tablet, or a similar eReader. In regard to the tone, Fabio Rojas is direct and detailed with the advice and information he provides in Grad School Rulz: Everything You Need to Know about Academia from Admissions to Tenure. This is a departure from some of the more humorous books we've recently reviewed, but the serious style of Grad School Rulz is not without merit.

Some readers may be familiar with Fabio Rojas from the blog Grad School Rulz found on orgtheory.net. Holding a Ph.D. in sociology, Fabio is currently an associate professor at Indiana University, and in addition to this eBook he has numerous other publications. You can read his full bio here. One intriguing aspect in his personal bio is that he's an avid jazz fan; ironic, considering that his book is anything but improvised.

The 59 chapters in the table of contents immediately give cause for your eyebrows to raise; however, upon closer inspection it's evident that the chapters are concise compilations of information that is critical to the success of any doctoral student. The author makes no secret that his audience is first and foremost doctoral students, and he reminds the reader that he's providing insight from his personal experience in his field of study. That being said, all the advice within the book is applicable to students on various tracks, studying different disciplines. As Fabio explains, "I trust that you will be resourceful enough to adjust the advice for your own situation."

Although numerous, the chapters are a short and manageable; but this doesn't mean that the book is a quick read. The amount of detail, and the fact that one may have to apply said detail to his/her own specific field of study, requires the book to be read carefully. Information is often organized in lists that resemble class notes, or an outline for a paper. This is extremely helpful, as it would be a tedious read if the pages were full of bulky paragraphs camouflaging helpful hints -- it would be a shame to overlook some of the nuances that are discussed, namely the intricate processes of getting published and securing tenure.

There are several chapters dedicated to the publishing process, and the steps one must take on the path to tenure; however, the strength of the book is that it is straightforward. Fabio uses clear language and gets right to the point, take for example his analysis of teaching as Ph.D. student -- "Don't teach in graduate school unless you are targeting the liberal arts college market or it's a requirement for the degree or financial aid." I'd say that Fabio's advice is pretty clear-cut. Again, there is a great deal of information packed into this eBook, but the straightforward tone ensures that the reader is not overwhelmed or confused.

If you are a doctoral student and you have $2.00 (yes, only two bucks!), I recommend that you download this eBook. The book covers a wide array of topics, but the author walks us along the Ph.D. path in a delicate manner; Fabio is careful in how he presents the subject matter, and the reader benefits from his attention to detail. This eBook could serve as a helpful guide that students could continually reference at different stages of their academic career.

Grad School Rulz: Everything You Need to Know About Academia from Admissions to Tenure by Fabio Rojas

Published by Smashwords (October 1, 2011)

129 pages

Filesize: 163.63 KB

eBook ISBN: 9781466090125

Break a Sweat With the Quals?

dorafarkas — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:09:45 GMT

It's tough to choose a time to write a blog about qualifying exams (aka "comps" or "quals") since every school has a different schedule. Some departments have one big exam, other have several spaced throughout the first or second year. My qualifying exam was in January, so I started to get a little worried just around this time of the year. My department had two exams within one week, so I studied during every free minute I had during the prior two months. About two weeks before my exam, I had lunch with a friend of mine names Stella (not her real name). Stella was in a different department, but I knew her well and had lunch with her on most days. Stella was a wonderful listener. She nodded with empathy as I recounted my struggles with the qualifying exams, and how I would be dreading the next two weeks. At the end of the lunch I asked whether we could eat together the next day. She replied:" No, I cannot meet you for lunch tomorrow, because I'll have my qualifying exam then."

After a moment of silence I stuttered: "Your exam is tomorrow? And you didn't tell me?" She smiled and said: "It's really no big deal. I just studied for it a little everyday, so that's the best I can do right?"

Stella's department had a reputation for having very challenging qualifying exams, but she passed on her first try without worrying. What a different way of looking at the same situation. I passed too, but broke quite a sweat.

Stella was just one of those people who stayed calm despite her demanding workload, and she always made time for exercising and her personal life as well. Was she a genius who was able to enjoy life and still do well academically? She might have been, I don't know her IQ, but I do know that she did spend a lot of time studying for exams, and working in the lab like the rest of us.

Ever since that day, I look at big assignments differently. If a big presentation comes my way, I try to put on Stella's relaxed attitude and look at the presentation as an opportunity to learn rather than a burden. I exercise regularly, because I know in the long run it will help me more efficient, even if it does take up an hour now and then. And finally, I make time to have lunch with friends. Besides taking my mind off work, lunch gives me the opportunity to have personal interactions (with inspiring people like Stella), and to build my support network. Having a few supportive and inspiring friends in graduate school can go a long way to help you stay motivated.

Wishing you the best,

Dora Farkas, PhD, Founder, PhDNet

Author: "The Smart Way To Your PhD:200 Secrets From 100 Graduates."

www.phdnet.org

dora@phdnet.org

Now Available in Kindle and Softcover!