PhD student experience “dehumanizing,” says ASHE president-elect

Studying for a PhD can be a “dehumanizing” and “humiliating” experience, according to Scott Thomas, President-Elect of the US Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). In his recent talk at the annual conference of the UK Council for Graduate Education, Thomas highlighted the need for greater socialization and social support systems for graduate students. While he admits that doctoral programs “should be a challenging experience,” Thomas added that these programs are “needlessly isolating” in their disregard for promoting social relations between their students.

From Times Higher Education

From academica top ten on June 4, 2015:

"According to Conference Board of Canada data, less than 20% of PhD graduates find careers as tenure-track professors. However, this may not mean that universities are producing too many PhD graduates. Conference Board researcher Daniel Munro says that "if the purpose of a PhD is to train people for academia, then we produce way too many. By contrast, if you think the purpose of a PhD is to produce advanced researchers, then ... maybe we produce just the right amount." Munro suggests that the problem is not the number of PhDs, but that many PhDs are not well-prepared for careers outside of academia. Moreover, misconceptions held by many employers may make them reluctant to hire PhDs."

 Good thing you've got the GSLI!

New Survey Software Available

Qualtrics survey software is now available at no cost to University of Guelph students, staff and faculty.  As the gold standard in survey software, Qualtrics can be used for academic purposes - including teaching and research - as well as administrative tasks like e-voting and evaluations.

It meets all the requirements for the storage of highly sensitive (S3) data, with encryption over the entire survey cycle (collection, storage and analysis).  With robust online support and a web-delivered Quick Start program, users can learn the basics in a few short hours.  

In addition, the convenience of this mobile- and tablet-friendly software allows for real-time access to survey data.  

To create your Qualtrics account, or for support academic needs, please visit the Library website: http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/get-assistance/maps-gis-data/web-surveys

5 Classic Research Presentation Mistakes

A great article from The Thesis Whisperer on common mistakes people make when presenting research.

Such mistakes are:
     -Being too detailed with the data.
     -Spending too much time on the theory but not on the work.
     -Not explaining why the research is important.
     -Reading directly from the Thesis.
     -Being intimidated by question time.

Article by: The Thesis Whisperer

http://thesiswhisperer.com/2010/11/25/5-classic-research-presentation-mistakes/

Navigating the Academic Conference with Social Anxiety

Conferences are a great opportunity for networking, showcasing your work as well as learning from the work of others. While some may find socializing in a crowded place normal, others may be very uncomfortable in such an environment. The article offers tips such as how to prepare, how to be organized, and how to be comfortable while also stepping out of your own comfort zone to meet new people.

Navigating the Academic Conference with Social Anxiety
Article by Katie Shives

https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/navigating-academic-conference-social-anxiety

Job Search Mistakes

A video/article from University Affairs addressing some of the most common mistakes students make while job searching.

http://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/career-advice-article/video-mistakes-students-make-job-searching/

Article by: University Affairs (www.universityaffairs.ca)

How to ask for a reference letter.

Some helpful tips from University Affairs on asking a professor for a letter of reference. This article covers choosing the right person, how to prepare and the best way to thank them.

Article by: Adam Chapnick
www.universityaffairs.ca

http://www.universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/career-advice-article/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-letter/