1. You’re a UC Engineering Graduate Student Now what? Edzel Lapira September 13 th 2011

2. Graduate Student Life

3. “Why am I doing this?” Crossroads…

4. Graduate school is a very different world from undergraduate studies. Most of the learning happens outside of the classroom. You select and complete a unique long- term research program Graduate school is a different ballgame

5. My graduate school experience so far… ADMISSION ORIENTATION GRADUATION COURSEWORK QUALIFYING EXAM QUALIFYING EXAM RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP INDUSTRY PROJECTS INTERNSHIPS PUBLICATIONS PROPOSALS DISSERTATION CANDIDACY DEFENSE

6. It’s a balancing act…

7. It is the most desirable job to most graduate students. RA is a job. Start out with tasks specific to a project but eventually become flexible to your own specific research program. Get exposed to state-of-the-art research Research Assistantship (RA)

8. Desirable Habits Communication is Key Advisor Topic Be Informed Social Life What about Academics & Research?

9. 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. Desirable Habits

10. Meet at least once every 2 weeks One-on-one, in person Prepare a list of updates and questions Be sure to talk about all of your issues (classes, research, graduation, etc.) Discuss your upcoming deadlines and/or goals Communication is Key

11. Is a mentor who will: Motivate Invest time on you & your research Give credit Defend Critique your work Is an employer who: Will look out for your interests Will help you graduate is respected in their field Maintain connections Will speak well of you/your work Vaughan Pratt http://boole.stanford.edu/pratt.html “A Good Advisor”

12. http://blackboard.uc.edu Professor Websites Course Related https://listserv.uc.edu Graduate Student Associations Department Related Listserv: engn- grad@listserv.uc.eduengn- grad@listserv.uc.edu http://www.ceas.uc.edu College of Engineering & Applied Science Related http://grad.uc.edu http://www.uc.edu/gsga Graduate School Rules http://onestop.uc.edu http://www.uc.edu Everything UC Be Informed!

13. Get Involved –Join, Participate, Lead, Found Burst Your Bubble –Go beyond your comfort zone Social Life

14. @UC –Over 300 student-run groups Find them all at http://www.uc.edu/saldhttp://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, church Get Involved & Make Connections

15. Try something new –Sporting Events goBEARCATS.com ! Football, Soccer, Baseball, Volleyball …goBEARCATS.com Reds, Bengals, Cyclones, Crew (Columbus) –Food Culturally Diverse (Japanese, Korean, Indian, Thai, German, etc) www.bearcash.com (coupons for food + misc stuff around UC)www.bearcash.com –Experience(s) Museums (Many are free / reduced cost to students) Rec Center: Rock Climbing, Martial Arts, Swim in an Olympic Size Pool etc. Burst Your Bubble

16. “You got into graduate school because you have potential and skills that are not typical among most people.” Keeping Your Perspective

17. Mark Borowczak Steven Turek Acknowledgments: Reference(s): Azuma, RT “Everything I wanted to know about CS graduate school at the beginning but didn’t learn it later.” Last accessed on (2011/09/11) URL: http://www.cs.unc.edu/~azuma/hitch4.htmlhttp://www.cs.unc.edu/~azuma/hitch4.html

18. Welcome & Good Luck!!!