Advice for new grad students?

[Benzgirl]

One more for the road...


Don't worry about grades too much. I received my MBA 20 years ago, and I don't think anyone has ever asked me about my GPA.

Also, I have hired hundreds of people, and I never have paid much attention to GPA. But, I always asked if they worked during their Grad School days. I always looked at a candidate stronger if they were able to balance work and school at the same time, even if the job was just part time.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by AlethiaSi

I have an odd question, semi-related to the topic.

Does one usually get an advisor for grad school?

I was initally assigned an advisor for my MA program. I had the option to change once I narrowed down my research interests. Since I am working on my PhD at the same institution where I received my MA, I decided to keep the same advisor for both. He will be my dissertation chair when the time comes.

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

One more for the road...


Don't worry about grades too much. I received my MBA 20 years ago, and I don't think anyone has ever asked me about my GPA.

Also, I have hired hundreds of people, and I never have paid much attention to GPA. But, I always asked if they worked during their Grad School days. I always looked at a candidate stronger if they were able to balance work and school at the same time, even if the job was just part time.

I would say that this depends on what type of graduate program you are working on and what you want to do with your degree afterwards. For example, if you are working on a doctorate and hope to become a faculty member somewhere, most of the time they WILL look at the grades you earned in particular courses.

[Still BLUTANG]

i cannot stress involvement professional associations enough. even if you work full time and cant fit in meetings / activities in your schedule, see if you can join (pay the dues) and just participate on the listserv. You will get job leads, word about informal gatherings, early word about conferences / grants / travel support, and a direct line of communication to the leaders in your field.

also, if you have a grad assistantship - TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. i had no idea how "big" my boss was in the field. I'm glad i was on her good side.