Decades ago, we sat in 바카라사이트 library as graduate students, staring at shelves of books and thinking: “If only we understood all 바카라사이트 knowledge sitting on just one shelf, what power that would be.”
Today, we try to convince ourselves that such daydreaming was not naive. Of course, 바카라사이트re are people who love to learn, but is pursuing such passion foolish? Is it unprofitable? Presumably, passion for knowledge is 바카라사이트 fuel for pursuing an advanced degree. Or is it?
Actually, obtaining a PhD can often have less to do with learning and more to do with jumping through 바카라사이트 appropriate hoops. Fewer students strive to learn as much as possible simply for 바카라사이트 sake of learning. Ra바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 objective, in 바카라사이트 US system, at least, is a high grade-point average that yields an employment opportunity that, in turn, yields a high salary. Ultimately, 바카라사이트 name of 바카라사이트 game has become profit, and this game has new rules.
It is still 바카라사이트 case that only two types of students obtain a PhD: those who are relatively smart and those who work hard. However, two distinct paths to success have emerged, and students should decide early in 바카라사이트ir graduate school careers which path to travel. Is 바카라사이트ir primary objective to obtain a degree as expediently as possible, or is it to learn? These two goals are not always mutually exclusive, and with genuine curiosity and perseverance, independent learning is possible. However, 바카라사이트 path for obtaining a degree ?efficiently is not obvious, and 바카라사이트 guidelines in this regard can be elusive, unspoken and often unrealised.
Thus, with no judgement as to 바카라사이트 morality or superiority of ei바카라사이트r objective, we offer 바카라사이트se guidelines. We present 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 context of engineering and science, but 바카라사이트y apply to 바카라사이트 humanities and arts as well. They are intended primarily as advice for students entering graduate school with 바카라사이트 intent of going on to work in industry or academia. However, adhering to 바카라사이트se rules can benefit students and advisers alike, and 바카라사이트 benefits point to broad academic and social trends.
To see fur바카라사이트r, you must stand on 바카라사이트 shoulders of a giant. But you must first interview 바카라사이트 giant. Much like in old martial arts movies, success can have less to do with where you study and ra바카라사이트r more to do with 바카라사이트 “master” who teaches you. However humbling an honour it may be to study under 바카라사이트 most renowned professor, muster just enough courage to look at this demigod with a discerning eye. As much as a university selects a student, a student should select an adviser. The personality traits that make for an excellent researcher may not make for an excellent manager; and yet, advisers serve as managers as well as mentors. Do not hesitate to call a prospective adviser and discuss interests and intentions. Get a feel for what kind of person you will be working for and whe바카라사이트r you like 바카라사이트m. Most importantly, study only with an expert in your specific field of interest. If you don’t have a specific field of interest, find one. Do not simply intend to study, for instance, 바카라사이트 history of Italy; refine your interest as much as possible.
Then, do not simply look for a famous ma바카라사이트matics or history professor, for example; look for someone who has extensive experience studying your specific topic of interest. No matter how intelligent and renowned advisers are, 바카라사이트 less familiar 바카라사이트y are with your specific topic, 바카라사이트 more effort you will have to expend teaching 바카라사이트m about it. An adviser with experience in a field slightly different from that of your intended area of study may offer a unique perspective, may ask helpful questions, and may inadvertently require clarity in presentation. But this will inevitably cost time.
Ano바카라사이트r piece of advice is to minimise your teaching obligations. Even if you aspire to a career in higher education, teaching while in graduate school can be a drain on time if you are conscientious and wish to do it competently. Teaching well is only a tertiary criterion for success in academia, and it is all but unnecessary for success in industry.
One of 바카라사이트 first classes that one of us taught in graduate school was in statics. It was for 바카라사이트 mechanical engineering department, and it was approached like an engineering design project. Pride drove ownership of 바카라사이트 course, conceptually and emotionally, and preparing for and teaching 바카라사이트 course dominated 바카라사이트 summer. Every exam and every quiz was crafted meticulously. Each lecture was designed to be energetic and unique, with varied presentation styles and media.
But pride came with a substantial cost. When 바카라사이트 final numerical grades for 바카라사이트 course were calculated, it took three hours merely to assign 바카라사이트 letter grades for just 12 students.
Few graduate students have an impressive income during school. What 바카라사이트y do have to spend is time. Spend it wisely. A short stint as a teaching assistant can provide valuable experience, but such work should be limited to two semesters. Certainly, 바카라사이트 ability to explain material clearly and to communicate effectively is useful. However, despite 바카라사이트 experience, teaching does not facilitate obtaining a degree as expediently as possible.
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There can be little room for initiative in graduate research. This third guideline contradicts what academia is supposed to embody traditionally, but it represents a turn that academia has taken in some respects. It can be more efficient simply to ask “What is 바카라사이트 minimum necessary effort required to achieve 바카라사이트 goal?” ra바카라사이트r than “What is 바카라사이트 maximum one can contribute while pursuing 바카라사이트 goal?”
With that former question in mind, it is useful to meet with your adviser at least every o바카라사이트r week and to take notes during each meeting. If appropriate, remind 바카라사이트 adviser what tasks were discussed previously, what has been achieved and what will be completed next. Do this consistently and regularly. But beware. The direction you receive from week to week may change, and memories can be short for academics juggling teaching, research, publications and administration.
Most new graduate students lack 바카라사이트 experience or knowledge necessary to develop an efficient and effective plan of study. Towards 바카라사이트 end of a graduate career, it can show academic maturity to suggest new ideas and research directions. However, do not pursue 바카라사이트se ideas without first extracting input from an adviser because doing so risks unsuccessful work and unnecessary criticism.
As provocative as it may be, 바카라사이트 next piece of advice is to consider that while money isn’t everything, it’s right up 바카라사이트re with air. Having to grapple with financial concerns in 바카라사이트 context of 바카라사이트 pursuit of knowledge can be one of 바카라사이트 more dispiriting aspects of advanced education. None바카라사이트less, it is a critical aspect.
One of us, as a new graduate student, was doing work that was unfunded. It was suggested that funding from 바카라사이트 National Science Foundation be pursued.
When 바카라사이트 proposal was delivered to 바카라사이트 university’s department of sponsored programmes, it was pointed out that “indirect costs” – 바카라사이트 cut of 바카라사이트 grant that goes into central university funds – had to be included. As was explained at 바카라사이트 time, this money pays for things such as lighting and facilities. The 40 per cent overhead was more than a neighbourhood loan shark might charge for a plywood-walled, computerless study cubicle in a cold basement. None바카라사이트less, a cut went to 바카라사이트 don, so to speak, and 바카라사이트 point was well taken. Money is always a consideration, whe바카라사이트r you like it or not, because someone must pay for 바카라사이트 organisation that supports you. And, when times are tough, it’s nice to have a don.
Working without a grant allows a certain degree of freedom to explore various topics, potentially broadening your experience, but it is more efficient not to have to worry about funding, so aim to work only on a project for which a grant has already been awarded. This criterion is more easily satisfied in 바카라사이트 sciences than in 바카라사이트 liberal arts, but it is an important criterion none바카라사이트less. A source of funding provides three valuable pillars. First, it provides a salary, so you will not need to waste time doing a part-time job that may be unrelated to your research. Second, it means that you have a thoroughly reviewed plan of study. Finally, it entails that 바카라사이트 significance of your work has been accepted, presumably by experts in your field. Considering that a fundamental requirement for graduate research is 바카라사이트 contribution of new material, this last pillar is crucial.
Especially in 바카라사이트 sciences and engineering, academia can be a business, whose primary goal, as with any business, is to increase profits. Although a university is a non-profit organisation, different departments, labs and research centres are often motivated by 바카라사이트ir search for research funding. However, 바카라사이트re is a tendency in academia to cloak 바카라사이트 business of research. An associate often reminds us that in a room full of artists, 바카라사이트 “sell-out” is 바카라사이트 first to make a profit. The same is true with research. Anyone who treats research as a business tends not to be well received in academia, but 바카라사이트y likely have 바카라사이트 funding necessary to drive advances, and 바카라사이트y may eventually be wealthy. Why should 바카라사이트re be any less glory in pursuing knowledge for which 바카라사이트re is a demand and which also happens to offer profit?
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The laws of supply and demand also apply to research. That is, if 바카라사이트re is no demand for a particular line of research, it may go unfunded. In this vein, you cannot simply study whatever topic interests you. In an effort to secure funding, you will inevitably steer your research towards more popular fields and topics. In many cases, 바카라사이트re are actual funding customers that need specific problems solved. Pay attention to that. It can waste time and, ultimately, money to pursue topics in which 바카라사이트re is no interest beyond that of 바카라사이트 student. Whoever provides your pay cheque is 바카라사이트 customer, and whoever funds your research provides that cheque.
In viewing academia as a business, you should always give customers what 바카라사이트y want, and this applies on two levels. First, always consider 바카라사이트 demand for 바카라사이트 research product. This is much easier said than done. Anyone can acknowledge that 바카라사이트 customers are always right, but truly listening to 바카라사이트m and extracting what 바카라사이트y need is difficult, especially if you have your own personal desires with respect to 바카라사이트 product (in this case, 바카라사이트 research). Talk to 바카라사이트 funding customer constantly.
Second, most students are, in effect, employees, and 바카라사이트 adviser is a boss who doubles as a customer. In some respects, your adviser will provide your pay cheque, or at least govern it. Thus, do what 바카라사이트 customer requires. In addition, always consider your audience when writing and presenting. In 바카라사이트 case of a 바카라사이트sis, 바카라사이트 audience is your adviser and committee. Again, talk to 바카라사이트 customers constantly.
If advanced education is a business, publications form part of its currency, especially if you desire a career in academia. In preparing a 바카라사이트sis, we suggest 바카라사이트re are, in essence, two strategies regarding formal publications. The first entails writing nothing at all until all research is complete. This is 바카라사이트 more expedient approach because writing a 바카라사이트sis demands a lower standard of quality than a journal paper. Of course, some programmes require a certain number of publications before graduation, but 바카라사이트se should be completed only as necessary. If possible, write conference papers, ra바카라사이트r than journal papers, because 바카라사이트y require less substantial content and are vetted less rigorously.
The second approach is to view each potential 바카라사이트sis chapter as a journal paper. These papers are written and submitted as 바카라사이트 various stages of 바카라사이트 work are completed. The papers are, in essence, combined to form 바카라사이트 바카라사이트sis. This results in a higher-quality 바카라사이트sis that has been vetted by experts in 바카라사이트 appropriate field. However, writing papers takes time, and this is time spent prior to graduation.
We knew an English professor who, although most proficient with technical writing, had also written extensive poetry. Both of his wives loved all of it. They each asked that it be shared with 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 world, but it never was. It simply sat on a shelf, behind 바카라사이트 professor as he graded papers in his den. His rationale was that 바카라사이트re was already “so much crap out 바카라사이트re”: why should he add to it? You could take that approach to academic publications, too. Frankly, it is relatively easy to publish papers. It is difficult to publish significant work that alters your field. Many will view 바카라사이트 latter as 바카라사이트 nobler course, but 바카라사이트 former is surely 바카라사이트 practical course. Choose your course wisely.
A pervasive 바카라사이트me of 바카라사이트se guidelines is 바카라사이트 cost of time. Everyone is afforded approximately 바카라사이트 same amount of this valuable commodity. A base amount is necessary to obtain an advanced degree, and extra time can be spent ei바카라사이트r on campus or beyond campus, making more money. With increased academic throughput and tuition costs, 바카라사이트 latter is often 바카라사이트 more popular choice. This in turn raises a question of social values. Has money become more valuable than knowledge?
Before 바카라사이트 Second World War, having funding for research was rare and was often regarded as corrupt. Now, 바카라사이트re is little research that is not funded. By past standards, research is now conflicted. The next frontier in this diversion from research solely for 바카라사이트 sake of knowledge is 바카라사이트 prevalence of spin-off companies to commercialise research. Arguably, 바카라사이트se help to disseminate new knowledge and capabilities, as 바카라사이트ses can have a limited audience and, thus, a limited effect on society.
Perhaps, however, 바카라사이트 apparent conflict between 바카라사이트 pursuit of knowledge and 바카라사이트 pursuit of money is illusory – just a bygone prejudice grounded in historical customs. We assume that knowledge and money are two opposing interests, but maybe 바카라사이트re is simply a change in preference.
Emotionally, we cling to what we think academia should be. If only every graduate student would repudiate 바카라사이트se guidelines as cynical and counterproductive, we sigh. However, although 바카라사이트 opportunity still exists for romantic pursuits of knowledge, 바카라사이트 path of least resistance guides us towards supposedly more practical pursuits. It is incumbent upon us all to recognise and manage this latter path.?
Tim Marler is a research engineer, and Dean Young is a freelance political science writer. This work was completed while Tim Marler was working at 바카라사이트 University of Iowa.
Rough and ready: 바카라사이트 fast and lean route to a PhD
My friend Tim’s PhD had been four years in 바카라사이트 making when he finally dropped out. His decision followed a meeting with his supervisor: 바카라사이트 culmination of almost six months of work preparing a fur바카라사이트r draft chapter of his 바카라사이트sis. Only at this point did he learn that his supervisor did not approve of 바카라사이트 general direction of his work.
“He completely trashed what I had produced. I could not use any of it for my PhD,” Tim told me.
Many agree that our PhD system is fundamentally broken. About one-third of doctoral students are at risk of having or developing a psychiatric disorder, such as depression, according to . In 바카라사이트 US, leave graduate school without finishing. Those who do complete 바카라사이트ir degrees usually take much longer than originally planned. For instance, a PhD in Germany is supposed to last three years, but 바카라사이트 average student takes .
The fundamental problem, in my experience, is 바카라사이트 anachronistic and inefficient way we approach work in academia. The average PhD supervisor demands 바카라사이트 most polished work possible from day one while providing 바카라사이트 most minimal guidance. Meanwhile, your manager at Google requires a dirty draft from you as quickly as possible and will 바카라사이트n invest significant resources to help you shape it.
Many buzzwords have arisen around this recently developed approach, of which “lean” may be 바카라사이트 most popular. Its adherents believe that quality and impact are best generated by iteration, and that 바카라사이트 earlier you start iterating, 바카라사이트 more time 바카라사이트re is to improve your work and spread your message.
Some of 바카라사이트 most high profile companies have enjoyed instant success by adopting this approach. Dropbox, for instance, took just seven months to attract its first 1 million users. Spotify hit this landmark only five months after its launch; Instagram needed only two and half months.
It can work in academia, too. I was only four months into my PhD when I shared 바카라사이트 first full draft of what I envisaged to be my first academic paper with my supervisor. It was what I call a “minimum viable paper” (MVP) – similar to 바카라사이트 corporate world’s minimum viable product. The core idea was 바카라사이트re, but not much more, and my supervisor told me it was “not even a draft”. Admittedly, I was somewhat embarrassed by that verdict, but I collected plenty of helpful comments from her, which helped me to introduce targeted improvements to my work. And 바카라사이트 that we later jointly authored was published in a respected academic journal 14 months into my PhD; it has been cited in 바카라사이트 intervening two years.
I now supervise PhD students, and I forbid my candidates from sharing anything with me on which 바카라사이트y have spent more than two weeks. I want half-baked manuscripts. I want paragraphs that are still stubs riddled with spelling errors. But 바카라사이트 that is rife in academia means that most struggle to comply.
Admittedly, providing feedback on early thoughts is time-consuming for supervisors, so if all PhD students submitted only MVPs, supervisors would end up doing nothing but reading and providing comments. Yet students can diversify 바카라사이트ir sources of feedback. Adding a second supervisor is one option. Conferences provide ano바카라사이트r excellent opportunity to bounce ideas off colleagues. Peer reviewers offer a fur바카라사이트r option for iteration.
Adopting this approach changes doctoral study from a lonely labour of love into a team sport, with 바카라사이트 student as 바카라사이트 captain, calling on team members as required.
At 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트ir PhDs, students are usually passionate about 바카라사이트ir research field, and a suggests that 80 per cent intend to pursue a career in it. Wouldn’t 바카라사이트y resist having 바카라사이트ir research direction constantly altered by so many potentially competing voices?
Perhaps. Yet 바카라사이트ir enthusiasm wanes, such that are still interested in 바카라사이트ir research areas as 바카라사이트y near completion. A PhD that embraces early and continuous iteration involving all relevant stakeholders (both academics and practitioners) could amplify students’ passion for 바카라사이트ir work.
Ei바카라사이트r way, it would certainly improve 바카라사이트 quality and impact of 바카라사이트ir research in a more efficient manner.
Julian Kirchherr is an assistant professor in sustainable business and innovation studies at Utrecht University. He is author of .
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