1. Getting Your Ph.D. NSBE Region 3 Fall Regional Conference Hosted by: Nathaniel W. Tindall & Georgia Tech Black Graduate Student Organization Prepared by: Lauren D. Thomas torch@nsbe.orgtorch@nsbe.org

2. Contents How to pick a department Financing a Ph.D. My Advisor and Me Graduate Speed Chats

3. Picking a Department Start looking, networking and preparing early ▫Develop a CV ▫Visit grad fairs ▫Take advantage of visit opportunities Ask yourself ▫What are my goals in a Ph.D. program? ▫Where can I realistically spend the next 4-6 years? ▫What are the graduates from the program doing after?

4. Financing a Ph.D. Department sponsored RA/TA/LA ▫Usually just cost of living expenses (if that) ▫Understand the responsibilities up front – 20 hrs. ▫Determine how this will support your grad work Fellowships ▫Higher levels of funding, lower responsibility level ▫University/College offered – apply EARLY! ▫External fellowships, determine what can be combined Loans ▫LAST resort!

5. Financing a Ph.D.- Fellowships Disciplinary organization – ASME, ASCE, IEEE etc.. Usually for more advanced students, M.S. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship – must write a proposal, no more than 1 year of grad studies $30k per year, tuition, fees, travel budget SMART $31k per year + tuition and fees American Association of University Women Environmental Protection Agency Ford Foundation

6. My Advisor and Me Select an advisor based on personality match NOT solely research interests, notoriety, or publications! What is your work style? How do you like to be motivated? Ask their students and graduates if available Your advisor doesn’t need to be your friend, or even your mentor but it helps! Check your ego at the door

7. Graduate Speed Chats Goal: meet the Ph.D. students in the room and converse about their work, experience, future plans, and advice for your Ph.D. 8 minute rotations Feel free to share business cards!

8. Graduate Students Name Department, research area in 4 words Institution B.S., M.S., Background Current status (student, candidate, defense, post-doc) One thing you wish someone told you about grad school