Awesome Grad Student Advice for New and Current PhD Students

Advice From Someone Who Has Learned The Ropes This guest post contains unique PhD student advice and is tailored to someone who is just starting out graduate school. For example, what are some real life advice and experience that will truly help a … [Continue reading]

Grad Student Advice Series: Approaching Your Advisor About Alternative PhD Careers

Doctoral students in many disciplines realize the odds are against them. But students are often afraid to approach their advisers about other nonfaculty career choices, for fear of disapproval. And the professors themselves may not know how to advise … [Continue reading]

Ultimate PhD Networking Guide: How To Create Opportunities Out Of Thin Air (Part 2)

Part 1: Grad Student Advice Series: How To Network and Add Value To Yourself and Others I stared at the computer screen. I knew no one outside of academia. I thought about setting up a LinkedIn Profile but didn’t see the point. A feeling of … [Continue reading]

Grad Student Advice Series: 10 Ways To Be A Successful PhD Student

From Start To Finish Your PhD is going to be the focus of your professional and personal life for at least four years, so it is important that it will be time well spent. Here are some tips and points to consider to make sure you are a successful … [Continue reading]

Why Relationships Matter In Grad School: 5 Ways To Maintain

Story Context First of all, I would like to thank Ryan for the opportunity to contribute to his site. As a former student, I know how important it is for graduate students to have a community for emotional support and to stay on top of valuable … [Continue reading]

Life After Grad School: What Matters and What Doesn’t

Pure research is a wonderful thing; the ivory-tower isolation, the focus, and the unhurried pace may be the only way that some problems can be attacked. In taking a job, you’ll trade that life for a steady paycheck and a universe of opportunities to … [Continue reading]

Fixing The Disconnect Between Academia And Industry: 6 Practical Solutions

Background Today, employers are no longer looking for a great brain and a world of potential. They're looking for that one CV that lists the skills they need right now -- not after 6 months of training. ~Dave Jensen There’s a disconnect between … [Continue reading]

Skeptical PhDs: Recent Comments and Misconceptions

What is the Grad Student Way All About? Reader Comment #1 (You are unhappy): Here’s my 2 cents of honest advice to you. Realize that you do not go into any career thinking about money, but for the satisfaction of work. If I was you, I would … [Continue reading]