Building a Research Career Daniela Stan Assistant Professor Intelligent Multimedia Processing (IMP) Laboratory School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems DePaul University June 22nd, 2007

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Why should I go to graduate school? “The joy of research must be found in doing because every other harvest is uncertain.” [T. Smith] New way of thinking Be on the cutting-edge technology Be a member in a community of scholars and innovators

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Why should I go to graduate school? More opportunities (academic and industry) Higher salary Travel the world Be your own boss

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Characteristics of a good graduate student Curious about the whys and hows of things Persevering in your approach An independent thinker and worker Creative Disciplined and focused when you need to be

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Graduate School Preparation Maintain high scholastic achievements GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Undergraduate research Recommendation letters

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Graduate School Preparation Master versus Ph.D. Tentative graduate research area Investigate various graduate programs Apply to graduate school

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Graduate School Plan of work & Course work Choose a research topic & an advisor/mentor Proficiency/Qualifying exam Prospectus Dissertation

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Choosing a research topic and advisor “If you want to make important discoveries, work on important problems.” [P.B. Medawar] Work on important problems Don’t start from “scratch” Know the literature Choose a ‘tough’ advisor

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Related Activities Conferences Journals Seminar talks Internships Teaching

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu What is next? Academic career Industrial career Postdoc MBA

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Academic Career Lecturer Visiting Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Adjunct Faculty/Researcher

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Tips and Recommendations Be consistent Participate in on-line group discussions Collaboration Be aware of the state of the art Work on “hot” topics

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Tips and Recommendations Be a member of professional engineering societies Be a good colleague Celebrate your accomplishments Follow your heart

6/10/2015MedIX Program, D. Raicu Daniela Stan DePaul University THE END!