How to Survive as a Graduate Student

Ted Wong

Sean Slattery, Alma Whitten, Rob Deline,

Brian Noble, Jay Sipelstein,

Jonathan Shewchuk, Benli Pierce, David Dill

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 2

Why are we here?

• Learn how to survive and thrive

• Hear from the "experts"

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 3

Outline

• Getting started

• The early years

• The middle years

• Black Friday

• Fortune cookies

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 4

Format

• Question my authority!

• Focus on new students

• No names

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 5

Getting started

• Getting here

• Attending the Immigration Course

• Picking your new advisor

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Getting here

• You have the ability to graduate

• You are responsible for graduating

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Attending the Immigration Course

• Go to lots of talks!• Find out what you're interested in• Find out who is leading what research• Find out who is looking for students

• Go to the social events• Get to know the other students• Get to meet faculty

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 8

Picking your new advisor

• Why is this so important?

• How do you choose?

• What do you look for in an advisor?

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 9

Why is an advisor so important?

• Your advisor is your mentor

• Your advisor is your manager

• Your advisor is your advocate

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How do you choose an advisor?

• Talk to potential advisors

• Talk to current and former students

• Read their publications

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What do you look for in an advisor?

• Approachability

• Compatibility

• Durability

• History

• Research

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 12

Choosing multiple advisors

• Pros:• Span research areas, skills, or styles• Combine strengths of each advisor

• Cons:• Must manage several relationships• Must balance demands

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 13

Changing advisors

• When to do it• If your research interests diverge• If your "styles" truly don't match

• What to look out for• Changing frequently• Changing right before Black Friday

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 14

The early years

• Building up your advisor relationship

• Taking classes

• Fulfilling requirements

• Avoiding common distractions

• FUD

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 15

Building up your advisor relationship

• Meet regularly with them

• Communicate openly with them

• Manage them

• Accommodate their needs

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 16

Taking classes

• The old way (previous century)• Pass your classes (B-)• Concentrate on research

• The apocryphal new way (this century)• Excel at your classes (A) • Concentrate on research (?!)

• The place-out?

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 17

Fulfilling requirements

• Teaching• Teach a basic and an advanced class• Keep close watch on the clock (1/2-time)

• Writing and speaking• Practice these skills early and often• Get lots of feedback before trying to pass

• Programming• Talk to your advisor about expectations

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 18

Avoiding common distractions

• Zephyr is not research!

• Slashdot is not research!

• Community service is not a "distraction"!

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 19

FUD: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt

• "I don't belong here": Imposter Syndrome

• "I'm the only person having a hard time"

• "I'm struggling in / failing a class"

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 20

Beating FUD

• Talk to other students

• Talk to your advisor

• Talk to Shawn Butler, the ombudsperson.

• Talk to Jeannette or Sharon

• Talk to Counseling Services

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 21

The middle years

• Becoming self-directed

• Beating pre-proposal FUD

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 22

Becoming self-directed

• Before:• External deadlines• Self-contained problems

• Now:• Internal deadlines• Open-ended problems

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 23

Beating pre-proposal FUD

• "I'm not cut out for research."• It takes time to transition to self-direction• It takes time to find thesis topic• It is hard to do "research"

• "I want to leave."• It is OK to leave• Leaving is NOT failure!• Staying out of stubbornness can lead to failure

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 24

Black Friday

• Don't panic!

• Ensure that you have an advocate

• Talk to your advocate before BF

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Black Friday: The process

• You fill out a form for your advisor (only!)

• Your advisor drafts a letter

• The faculty discusses and edits your letter

• You go to the Black Friday TG

• Jeannette signs the letter

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 26

Black Friday: The letter

• "We are pleased. Next semester:"• Making satisfactory progress• Try to reach suggested goals• Alternatively, reach equivalent goals

• "To remain in good standing, you must:"• Reach required goals• No, really reach required goals

• "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 27

Fortune cookies

Never surprise or be surprised by your advisor.

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Fortune cookies

Once an advisor, always an advisor.

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Fortune cookies

Talk with other students and faculty to get an outside perspective on your research.

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Fortune cookies

There is more than one partner in a marriage.

Being concerned with only one of them is a BIG problem.

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 31

Fortune cookies

You probably cannot write or speak as well as you can hack. Practice early and often.

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Fortune cookies

Hacking is not research.

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Fortune cookies

If you want to work, work.

If you want to play, play.

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Fortune cookies

Work at least an hour a day.

Make that hour the first hour.

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Fortune cookies

Keep outside interests and activities.

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Fortune cookies

Your thesis has less to do with your career than you think.

What you can say about your thesis has more to do with your career than you think.

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 37

Fortune cookies

Be honest to yourself about your abilities and limits.

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Fortune cookies

Be your own advocate.

Ted Wong 30 August 2001 http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tmwong/grad-how-to/ 39

Final fortune cookie

Have fun!