Graduate Orientation

Learning Objective

This course is intended to provide a foundation for success in graduate school and beyond.
By the end of the course, successful students will be able to:
  1. Build productive mentor/mentee relationships.
  2. Meet and exceed all requirement for Ph.D. in a timely manner.
  3. Design and structure experiences during Ph.D. to make themselves competitive in the job market.
  4. Take control of their professional image and curate it as appropriate for their career.
  5. Embrace the Ph.D. process as challenging but fulfilling experience.
Over the course of the semester I will share with you what I know, what I have experienced, and what I believe to be the best approaches to graduate school. Many of these are opinions and I expect you to share your own experiences and opinions. You should discuss these topics with your cohort, friends, and mentors. Ultimately it will be your Ph.D. you must take ownership and responsibility for your science and your experience.

Class meets Thursdays 5:30-7:00 in Butler 309
For more information email Dr. Blackmon.

Week Topic Material
1 Welcome and Choosing rotations/advisors Huey and Stearns read for next week
2 Starting off right in graduate school. Discuss Huey and Stearns. first semester compact
mentor/mentee compact
3 Life Sciences Job Market ppt
4 The publication process ppt
5 Funding as a graduate student grant and fellowship list
6 Equity in science - guest lecture by Dr. Dulin
7 Branding yourself
 GitHub Pages tutorial
Example: Michelle Jonika
8 Scientific Writing Strunk and White
Elements of style - Demas
9 CV construction year 4 - Jonika CV
graduation - blackmon CV
current - blackmon CV
Michelle Jonika resume
10 Emails and other forms of communication
11 Internships - guest led discussion Michelle Jonika
12 Open discussion