Welcome to PhDNet,

the online community for graduate students and PhDs

View the left sidebar to join our forum, browse our newsletters, or view our knowledge database for doctoral students.

THIS WEEK’S PHD SURVIVAL TIP:

February 7, 2011: Do you ever feel ignored by your advisor ?

Click here to find some ideas

View our news archive here!

Also Available from Amazon.com:

The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.200 Secrets from 100 Graduates
By Dora Farkas, Ph.D., MIT
Click here to watch a trailer of the book
Click here to view or purchase on Amazon.com

“An outstanding guide to the pursuit of a PhD that lays out a map with a “yellow brick road” to success. Highly recommended to graduate students and those contemplating a Ph.D.” Steven R. Tannenbaum, Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology, MITWhether you are thinking about earning a Ph.D., or are already enrolled in a program, The Smart Way to Your Ph.D. will have the answers for you. In this one-of-a-kind book, Dr. Dora Farkas, a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shares with you the secrets for success in graduate school. Based on more than 100 interviews with professors, scientists and deans from over 40 universities across the United States, The Smart Way to Your Ph.D. answers key questions such as:

• Where can I find funding for graduate school?
• What are the elements of a good thesis proposal?
• How can I reduce stress and be more productive?
• What are the keys to effective communication with my advisor and coworkers?
• How can I write my thesis more efficiently?
• How do I become an outstanding public speaker?
• How should I prepare for challenging job interviews?

The Smart Way to Your Ph.D. will help you to address the three most important factors of success in graduate school:

1. Reducing stress,
2. Performing at your best, and
3. Preparing for your career.

Reduce Stress

Many Ph.D.’s recall graduate school as the most demanding time of their lives. What factors bring about stress for doctoral candidates? Is it a hectic research schedule, financial struggles, a competitive job market on the horizon or a difficult-to-achieve balance between work and personal life? Usually, it is all of the above, exacerbated by the uncertainty of not knowing  when you will graduate and what you need to do to complete your dissertation.Given these circumstances, it might seem impossible to eliminate stress in graduate school. In The Smart Way to Your Ph.D. former students with difficult circumstances such as working full-time, raising children, working from abroad, or dealing with challenging research problems and advisors, share their secrets for reducing anxiety and achieving the internal focus and concentration necessary to complete their dissertations. You will learn strategies for continuously motivating yourself, staying sharp throughout the day, communicating effectively with your advisor, managing your time, and staying on top of your to-do list.

Perform At Your Best

Presented with the challenge of making an original contribution to a rapidly evolving field of research, it is of utmost importance that students become aware of the abundance of resources, which can help them to complete their dissertations. The Smart Way to Your Ph.D includes detailed information about field-specific research databases and also an extensive appendix that will serve as a reference guide throughout graduate school. Students will find a comprehensive list of graduate school information websites, fellowships, electronic newsfeeds, and the top career-searching websites. The appendix also provides information to help students get organized and set up ergonomic workstations.The Smart Way to Your Ph.D also addresses two types of nonacademic skills essential for success: presentation and writing skills. Many Ph.D.’s felt that their undergraduate education did not prepare them adequately for the challenges associated with writing a doctoal dissertation and delivering effective presentations. In order to help students to perform at their best, Dr. Farkas collected strategies from former students, including English professors and public speaking instructors. With these easy-to-follow tips, students will no longer dread (and possibly even look forward to) presenting and writing about their research.

Prepare for your Career

Uncertainty about post-graduation jobs is a common source of stress among doctoral candidates. While many students begin graduate school with an academic career path in mind, they frequently question whether a faculty or research position is the ideal choice for their lifestyles. The Smart Way to Your Ph.Dwill show you which factors to consider when choosing a career path, and how you to utilize available resources to prepare for your job search. Former students who received multiple attractive job offers share their secrets for navigating the job market and impressing potential employers.Students preparing for an academic career path will find information about the job search calendar, the application package, typical interview questions, and the negotiation process. If you are interested in exploring alternative career options, you will learn strategies for locating appropriate job listings, networking effectively, putting together effective job applications, using online job banks securely, preparing for challenging interviews and negotiating job offers. Whether you are looking for an academic position or exploring alternative career paths, The Smart Way to Your Ph.D offers you the necessary resources for your job search.