Graduate School Survival Skills

Andrea Parker and Patti Ordóñez

CRA-W Computer Research Association Committee on the Status of Women in

Computing Research

Mission increase the participation and success of women in computing research

www.cra-w.org

What does CRA-W do?Individual & Group Research Mentoring

Graduate StudentsUndergraduates

Academic careers

Industry/government

Undergrads: Undergraduate Research ExperiencesUndergrads: Distinguished lecture role models Grad Cohort: group mentoring of grad studentsGrad Students: Discipline Specific Research workshops PhD Researchers: group mentoring of early & mid career @ CMW, CAPP, Hopper & Tapia

600+ students and PhD researchers a year

www.cra-w.org

Who are you?

• How many of you are:– Undergraduates– MSc students– PhD students– Other

Who are we?

• About Patti

BA in HIS at JHU

MS 2010 and PhD

2012 in CS at UMBC

Who are we?

• About Andrea– From San Jose, CA– Training

• BS Computer Science • PhD Human-Centered Computing

– Now• Assistant Professor• HCI & Personal Health Informatics

– How did I survive?• Support Network• Passion-driven research• Prayer

– How do I survive now?• See above!

Why are you here?

No, really, why are you here?

• Why are you at this workshop? Why are you in grad school?

– Turn to the person next to you and talk it over for the next 3 minutes

Why people are here?

YOU CAN’T GET WHAT YOU CAME FOR UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAME FOR

If you came to learn how to do research

• Figure out how you’re going to learn that:– Meetings with your supervisor– Lab meetings– Apprentice w/senior

students– Classes– Going to talks– Reading papers– Learn to write– Take a course in research methods – Apply for funding

If you came to get a job when you’re done

• Figure out which job you really want:– Do internships– Teach

• Find out how to get the skills you need– Research (see previous slide)– Writing– Public speaking– Be strategic in the classes you choose

… but what if you’re not getting what you came for?

• Sadly, fairly common• Figure out what’s bothering you. – Advisor problems– You hate your research– You hate your research group

• Find someone to talk to

List the 3 most important people in your graduate school career

• Let’s get together in small groups and discuss among yourselves who are the important people in grad school.

• Be ready to share with the larger group.

List 3 important people in your graduate school career

• Surely, your graduate advisor is on your list?– For better or for worse, your advisor

holds the key to the next step in your career.

– If you are getting a PhD, you will be forever linked to your advisor.

– This is one of the reasons picking an advisor is serious business!

Finding the Right Advisor• Ask important questions like:– How many students have they graduated?

Are they like you?– What kind of relationship do they have with

their advisees?– Do they provide opportunities for their

students?– Is your potential advisor a leader in your

field of interest? – What is their style of advising? Does it go

with you?• Identify and address problems early!

List 3 important people in your graduate school career

• Surely, you are on your list?– You are important. You are to be

respected and valued.– You must take care of yourself mentally,

emotionally, and physically.– The way people treat you is a function of

how you expect to be treated.– You have the most to gain and lose in

your graduate school career.

What to do when you run into trouble?

• Don’t ignore it. – The problem will only get bigger. – Early detection is the key.

• Summarize the facts of the issue.– Discuss the facts with a trusted friend.– Develop a plan of action.

Tips for Success

• What you can do to avoid trouble:– Find a support group– Exercise or do something you like that is

not your research– Network (Don’t just work all the time)– Use all resources that are available to

you– Distance yourself from difficult

relationships

Tips for Success

• Develop a mentor map• Who do you know that can

– Help you develop your dissertation research ideas– Point out internship/job/fellowship opportunities– Help you learn what it means to go into

academia/industry– Provide feedback on papers– Introduce you to senior researchers/help you develop

your network– Write letters of rec & speak well of your work to others– …

• Identify holes in map & make plans to fill in

Tips for Success

• Advisor/mentor relationship– One person will not know everything• You should have many mentors!

– Recognize strengths & weaknesses– Come ready & prepared• This is a partnership• Bring ideas, questions, and potential

answers

Tips for Success

• Set goals– Long-term: what do you want to do after grad

school?– Medium: what do you want to accomplish this

school year?– Short: this semester?

• Break goals into concrete steps– These steps should be S.M.A.R.T.

• Track your progress– Identify (& celebrate) success– When you miss goals, make a plan to get back on

track

What to do when you run into trouble?

• Ask for help from:– Your graduate advisor (if they are not the issue)– Women groups in computer science and

engineering– Professors you have taken a class with and had a

good rapport– A trusted resource from your undergraduate

institution– Professors you met at GHC (here!)– Counselors– Trusted Peers (in/out of your program/university)

All set?

• Having said all that, there’s one thing we’d like to leave you with– BE BOLD. Put yourself out there.

Don’t be afraid to make an idiot of yourself.

• So, with that in mind, it’s time for a sing along:

To be sung to the tune of “I will Survive”

At first I was afraid, I was petrifiedThinking I could never do research, I’d have to hideI spent so many nights thinking all I did was wrongI grew strongI learned how to carry onNow my groove’s back!From a dark place.I just walk in and people leave with love of my research tasteI have changed the way I workNow I know that was the keyAnd I know for just one second Grad school doesn’t bother me

Once more with feeling!And now I’ll go! Walk out the doorI’m turned around nowDoubt’s not welcome anymoreI used to feel so very hurt that I could cryI thought I’d crumbleI thought I’d lay down and dieOh no, not I!I will survive!As long as I know how to thinkI’ll make it out aliveI’ve got all my life to live I’ve got all my thoughts to giveAnd I’ll surviveI will survive!Hey, hey!