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How to finish and get a job, then live happily ever after…

Dongho KimOctober 10, 2001

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Before Defense

• When to take the defense? Ask your advisor

• What to prepare? Defense packet

– Pick up from graduate school (GFS 300) Thesis committee

– Three or more faculty members

• Scheduling Takes some time

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Before Defense

• Draft of the thesis To the committee members At least three weeks in advance

• Meet with committee before the defense Bring slides

– Go through at least first seven slides Answer questions Find out their concerns in advance

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Before Defense

• Practice talks (dry-runs) As many as you can Alone first With group members With advisor With different audiences

• Seven slides rule• Backup slides

• Defense announcement through the department Lorraine

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Finishing vs. Job hunting

• It is hard to do both

• So, you might want to consider finishing first, and then concentrate on finding a job

• However, job hunting takes time. Sometimes, quite long time, Especially when the economy is not good.

• Trade-offs

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During the defense

• Be confident! You are the one who knows about your thesis most.

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After defense

• Getting signatures• Submit thesis to graduate school

Thesis editor another signature Degree Progress dept. check the requirements

• Graduating consists of two parts Oral, and Written

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Job searching

• Get connections Introduce yourself to other people at conferences Introduce yourself to the speaker at seminars Get to know your colleagues

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Job searching - Academia

• Start early For fall semester/quarter, September – January

• Research area• Publications• GPA

• Research schools vs. Teaching schools• Consider research labs also

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Job - Academia

• Interview Among 5 or 6 Talk Meeting with faculty

• Have research agenda for the next five years or so During the talk and meetings Potential future collaboration

• Know your research needs Equipment Support for students Make sure the school is willing to provide those

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Job searching - Industry

• Prepare several versions of resumes• Customized cover letters

Do not waste time on the positions that do not match

• Learn about the companies in advance• Knowing someone inside is a BIG plus

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Job searching - Industry

• Interviews are different than that of academia• No formal talks, but• Very short, but carefully prepared talks

Several versions with different lengths

• Technical questions Refresh your memory

• Strange questions• Phone interviews• Prepare questions

Technical HR

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Making decision

• Two-body problems• Timing

Scheduling is important

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Good Luck!