why listen? • you think about grad school • important decision • why listen to me? – I’ve done it – I advise lots of students – free food audience • undergrad • technical major • good student • worked some • nearing graduation • pondering the future main messages • joy • struggle • vs • “game” the system why not • grad school not needed • voluntary – an adult’s decision • opportunity cost • don’t go for the wrong reasons • credential • nothing else out there timing • work between degrees – ok either way – I worked • most benefit greatly • experience aids later learning • avoid being just an old undergrad • save money where • topic --> concentration of profs • advisor • weather or town • papers & www search • “name” school – >100 with phd – 30 are “research” schools – heaps of MS programs • after MS expect refreshers • after phd expect to live a scholarly life student vs scholar • told what to do • “the” answer • things to “give” • interested • so interesting • self-starter • “commencement” joy • be like absent minded professors – deep thoughts – abiding interest – intrinsic reward • wake up thinking • sad loss if no joy – precious time • can lead to a job like mine – it’s a wonderful life – unlearn • good teaching dovetails with research struggle learning vs research • learning – your change is the measure – things to give – prof. filters • research – 1 + epsilon vs revolution – contribution to the field is the meaure Θ so - others care Θ new - build on but differ from others Θ frame the problem Θ persuade with evidence – your learning is not a measure • try it – get 50-100 research papers on a topic – dive in – watch how you change – acquire structure, vocabulary & attitude – “I get it” vs “I can do better” t.a. vs r.a. • do both • got a teacher’s personality? – t.a. sees the underside – teaching is a skill [Mager] – a rush at first since you learn heaps – focus on them, not you • r.a. gets close to a prof – some use writing papers as a vehicle – some don’t • learn the research culture – hard to acquire if not here Θ e.g., Bennett – chat with peers further in vs across • interdisciplinary research – broad, relevant, dirty – learn new language; find approaches – systemic • inner-disciplinary – narrow, assume away reality, precise – attack open questions – reductionist • theory versus cum practice – alternate – dive in and temper theory – step back and generalize from practice gaming • advisor – critical for Ph.D. – not so critical for M.S. – free choice of both people – beware: advisor may use you – ok to switch • courses – scout – talk to profs – go outside – skip prereqs Θ seek structure • tire of coursework -- yeah! • do more and other than is asked • it’s your degree, so be fiesty thesis • proper boundary – prune in from a too-big problem • manage your time – missing quarterly deadlines • what do you like – life is short, precious – match the problem and method with your interest and talent • know when your thesis is done – most don’t; looking inward – early on -state contributions – defense should be a celebration • waaaa - tired; wanna stop • thesis: skyscraper not birdhouse – plan it! – work backwards from contributions – detailed outline