I guess most of us fear the job-market, and if we will find the job we’re looking for. Then later we fear if we’re going to be happy in that job or not, and then start searching for other options around us. I believe every year more jobs enter the market, and more educational institutions are developed. A piece of advice that my supervisor usually gives me is to get involved in more community activities and try to do more work throughout the years of university that will make my CV shine compared to the others. Good luck!
Author: Dalya Ismael
Comment on The PhD Qualifying Exam Experience by Dalya Ismael
I keep hearing about all those exams but I just like to not think about any of them at the moment. I have some of my friends in my research group who are preparing for the Qualifying exam and just seeing what they going through worries me. I also think that each department has different types of Qualifying exams… correct me if I’m wrong. Some departments follow the system you just mentioned, but others have a couple of questions given to the students to answer in a month. Not sure which is better. Thanks for sharing your experience, and I wish you luck in presenting your Proposal!
Comment on The Mom Penalty by Dalya Ismael
You touched upon an important issue, we go back to the male privilege again. I’ve always had this constant thought that I love my career but at the same time I would also want to build a family! Do I really have to choose one or the other?! Why is all the burden on the woman and not the man?! If I choose both it becomes challenging in terms of getting a job and as you mentioned the tenure dilemma. I wonder if things will change by the time we graduate!! (fingers crossed!) Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Comment on GRE for job applications, seriously?? by Dalya Ismael
This is an indication that the professional industry is starting to change their traditional methods of hiring people. I read an article before that they also look at the soft skills and if the candidate has had any community service experience and so on. Personally I do not think the GRE score by itself should indicate someones qualifications, but generally speaking, I think its a good sign how companies are starting to come out of their bubbles now! Thanks for sharing!
Comment on Communication in higher education by Dalya Ismael
Although Im not a native English speaker, but I believe that practice is always key. Continuous communication in terms of writing and verbal will greatly help achieve the highest expectations. I can definitely tell that my writing fluency since I started my PhD has greatly improved, and its only been a year. Thanks for posting!
Comment on Diversity in the research group by Dalya Ismael
As you mentioned diversity is important in research groups, not only for prospective students, but also for those current students enrolled. For example, having a diverse group of students will teach them new things from each other, will open their eyes to new topics, possibly even learn a new language just by spending time with them. It will be in and of itself a new and exciting teaching experience. Thanks for sharing!
