4. Recruit the best graduate students
Help students thrive at USC
Provide professionalization opportunities
Expect students to become stewards of
their discipline
Expect students to graduate in a timely
manner
Position students to land a great job
5. Year 5
• Write dissertation
Year 4 • Publish papers
• Continue research • Defend
• Attend dissertation
Year 3 conferences • Interview for
• Pass Qualifying • Apply for external job/postdoc
Examination funding • Graduate
• Establish Diss.
Year 2 committee
• Formulate
• Take courses
research
• Look for an
• Begin research
advisor
• Establish Quals.
Year 1 committee
• Take courses
• Get familiar
• Pass
screening
exams
6. Based on my observations, the quot;successfulquot; students have done the following:
established a research topic early; worked as a Research Assistant;
cultivated relationships outside the department – Edson SOCI
Talk to the other students in your class. The sooner a new student does that
the sooner you realize that it is hard for everyone and you are not alone in
this – Jessie MATH
Find an advisor that compliments your personality and who you can get
along with personally... just because you're interested in the same things
academically doesn't mean you will be a good match – Rowan GEOL
Stay on top of things but don't forget to give yourself time off. Just because
you're a grad student doesn't mean you can't take the weekend/evening off
– Rowan GEOL
When in doubt, ask a senior student in your department – Seth COLT
Be humbled by the infinity of knowledge out there, understand that there will
always be more to read, research, and do than can be humanly done, and
appreciate the magic of the tiny piece you got, Accept it: We're all idiots! –
Sharon ASE
7.
8. You’re doing your future…
Present at important
conferences
Publish in good journals
Apply for external funding
Enter scholarly competitions
Write a grant
Develop curricula as a
Teaching Assistant
Develop networks with non-
USC faculty
9. Read until your brain hurts, and then read some more.
Ramen. Ramen. Ramen.
Girlfriend? I think I had one of those once.... – Seth COLT
Keep in mind that nobody is impressed with your
ability to get by while doing as little as possible.
Given the long time scales of grad school, regular
consistent performance will mount up rapidly.
Fun is good. Too much fun is bad.
http://totaldrek.blogspot.com/2007/09/unhelpful-hints.html