🚨Advice for early phd students🚨
1. Invest in your cohort!
Ya'll are in this TOGETHER. These folks will mourn rejections, show up for endless practice presentations, push you to apply to things, and will be your future collaborators.
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter
1. Invest in your cohort!
Ya'll are in this TOGETHER. These folks will mourn rejections, show up for endless practice presentations, push you to apply to things, and will be your future collaborators.
#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter
I wouldn't be half the person or academic without them. Shout out to @mingome, @mendoza_yosi, @MarianaFAmorim, @TPadillaCU, @Marthja, @daphneblakey, @youngmin_yi, @meredithswelch, (+ others) for listening to my bad ideas, pumping me up when needed, & supporting work/life balance.
Also, phd programs are long & often far from home. These folks were there for me when I missed funerals, missed weddings, & missed births. They made guac for me when I was homesick & can name my extended fam based on photos. YOU WILL NEED THEM.
2. Don't compare yourself to others!
Focus on you, your growth, your goals, & your accomplishments. Surround yourself with folks who support you & will keep you accountable to not comparing. Imposter syndrome is REAL, & comparing yourself to others (unfairly by the way) is bad.
Focus on you, your growth, your goals, & your accomplishments. Surround yourself with folks who support you & will keep you accountable to not comparing. Imposter syndrome is REAL, & comparing yourself to others (unfairly by the way) is bad.
3. Apply for everything!
You have a 0% chance of getting anything you don't apply for, so even if it's a long shot it's a shot. Plus getting a grant/fellowship/traineeship can change the trajectory of your career and encourage you to publish or complete projects early on.
You have a 0% chance of getting anything you don't apply for, so even if it's a long shot it's a shot. Plus getting a grant/fellowship/traineeship can change the trajectory of your career and encourage you to publish or complete projects early on.
I was a masters student who really wanted to do a PhD but lacked the prestigious undergrad / background to do it. My cohort mate @leahsamples & I applied for a small grant which we never thought we would get. But we got it & both went on to do PhDs (at @Cornell & @Penn no less).
For those who are curious the small grant was a Disability Determination Process grant through Policy Research Inc. (the @ARDRAWGrants predecessor)! Grants are funded by the SSA and it's a great program! If you study disability check it out!
4. BE KIND!
Shout out to the always brilliant @ELindstromPhD for bringing this up. I've done these lists before but it hadn't occurred to me. BEING KIND IS SO IMPORTANT! Anyone can be smart or accomplished, distinguish yourself by being kind. It will help u do everything else.
Shout out to the always brilliant @ELindstromPhD for bringing this up. I've done these lists before but it hadn't occurred to me. BEING KIND IS SO IMPORTANT! Anyone can be smart or accomplished, distinguish yourself by being kind. It will help u do everything else.
5. Be brave-reach out to people!
It can be really intimidating to reach out to faculty or advanced phd students in your department, but they are some of your greatest resources. Plus, it seems like it'll get easier later but it doesn't so go for in your first year!
It can be really intimidating to reach out to faculty or advanced phd students in your department, but they are some of your greatest resources. Plus, it seems like it'll get easier later but it doesn't so go for in your first year!
As a masters student at @VanderbiltU my advisor encouraged to reach out to an advanced phd student. I was terrified & it took me 6-months, but I did & it honestly changed my life/career (thanks @RubysHarmonium!).
As a 1st yr phd student I asked a faculty member for a rec letter for a grant during the 2nd week of class. I was so nervous but I had no one else to ask. After we met to discuss my background, the project, & my interests he agreed (thanks @fertmortmig!!) & I got the grant!
6. Be strategic!
If you can "double count" time do it. If you write a final paper or do data analysis for a class, make sure it's something you could develop into a publication. A little time on the front end (such as in picking a topic), can help you accomplish your goals!
If you can "double count" time do it. If you write a final paper or do data analysis for a class, make sure it's something you could develop into a publication. A little time on the front end (such as in picking a topic), can help you accomplish your goals!
That being said, be strategic WHEN YOU HAVE THE BANDWIDTH to do so! Sometimes you need to just get things done. Pick and choose when you invest more to get more.
7. Select advisors that challenge & inspire you!
Your advisors will take such a prominent role in your development & happiness. They will push you to grow in ways you have not even imagined yet. I am grateful EVERY day for my incredible advisers (shout out to @AnnaRHaskins!).
Your advisors will take such a prominent role in your development & happiness. They will push you to grow in ways you have not even imagined yet. I am grateful EVERY day for my incredible advisers (shout out to @AnnaRHaskins!).
Also shout out to the rest of my Twitter-less mentoring team (Chris Wildeman @DukeSociology, Melissa Ferguson at @YalePsychology, and Daniel Lichter at @PolicyCornell)! They provide me with such thoughtful feedback & ask me the hard questions which make my research better.
and last...
8. Find your space & your people! Maybe it's a center on campus, a student group, or an a community organization. Having a connection to people or causes that really "get you" is imperative. This process is long, find folks that support/inspire you as a person.
8. Find your space & your people! Maybe it's a center on campus, a student group, or an a community organization. Having a connection to people or causes that really "get you" is imperative. This process is long, find folks that support/inspire you as a person.
Alright ya'll, did I miss anything? Crucial advice for first year grads?
