Research Career Development

Research Career Development- Interviewing for Graduate School Gail P. Taylor Fall 2012 11/05/2012

Beyond the Beakers: SMART Advice for Entering Graduate Programs in the Sciences and Engineering. Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine/National Science Foundation. 2005 Survival Skills and Ethics Program: Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond www.pitt.edu/~survival The Leadership Alliance – Graduate School Guidehttp://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/grad_guide.pdf Tips on Preparing for and Applying to Graduate School http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/tips.pdf Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond (1996). Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) http://books.nap.edu/books/0309053935/html/11.html Acknowledgements:

References • Beyond the Beakers: SMART Advice for Entering Graduate Programs in the Sciences and Engineering. Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine/National Science Foundation. 2005

What leads to Grad School Interview? • Committee assesses application • (Good schools generally interview) • A person is more than what’s on paper… • Student brought to campus • Usually paid by school, but not always • Individual or group • Sometimes only a phone interview • Meets various people • Decision made

Why Interview a Grad Student? • Cost of education (~250K to educate a Ph.D.) • Insure compatibility • Check attitude • Check preparation • Desire an interview, even if you were in a summer program there • Weather/living conditions

What they Want to Know: • Intellectual ability • Critical thinking • Written Expression • Oral Expression • Emotional maturity • Imagination and creativity • Potential as teacher (TA) • Motivation for GS • Standing as student researcher in dept

Purpose of Interview • Get the “real you” • Brings application to life • Looking for fit • Confirms what was written

What an Interview means • Either school is filthy rich, or you’re a true contender

Process • Depends on school • They contact • Usually, they pay upfront • You may be reimbursed – always save receipts • They set up itinerary (who you meet with) • Ask for beforehand, if possible!

Itineraries Vary • Can come as group or individual • Meet with various people • Faculty from Personal statement • Students • In big group – Meet with Dean or Dept Chair • Meet with Faculty • Lunch of some sort…maybe even interview • Meet with students • Dinner (keep on toes)

Before Going • Reread all materials that you provided • They will be the foundation for questions • Practice standard questions • Make cheat sheet about school • Read about researchers on itinerary! • Look at papers and websites • Researchers you mentioned in statement • Other Interviewers on itinerary • Can request change in interviewer, if you had pre-existing problem

Before Going II • Prepare fluent statement about research • Ask for Mock interview from local mentor/program staff • Fly cheaply and don’t mess with arrangements • Send any information updates (pubs, etc) • Clothing: • Borrow or buy nice dark suit • Unless coordinator of visit says not to • Neat, comfortable, professional • Broken-in shoes

While there • You are interviewing the ENTIRE time you are there • Be professional • Avoid profanity • Rudeness • Be personable • Attend parties • Accompany Grad Students • Don’t party too hard…

Specific Hints I • Don’t interrupt during questions • Make interviewer comfortable • Mirror their handshake • Sit after them • Mirror their posture • Let them set speed • DON’T EXHAUST THEM! Be calm. • Try to answer to the length required • Make sure to emphasize strengths and experience! • Meet interviewers eyes (focus on them) • “I don’t know” is okay (indicate where you could find out • Talk about your research • Show enthusiasm • Show commitment (time in lab) • Speak with interest about interviewers’ research

Specific Hints II • Look relaxed while answering, but keep good posture • Be friendly and open, upbeat and positive • Be prepared to talk about the school at which you are interviewing • Don’t get defensive • Use professional adult language – • Avoid gonna, kinda, you know, Like, uhhhh…., sorta, • If you use big words, know that you are using correctly

Personal Information • Should not ask you about marital status, illness, parenthood unless you mentioned in statement • Honesty is best policy…they will know about accommodating from beginning • If are inappropriate (race, gender), speak to program director

Overcoming Shyness • Many scientists are shy • Can still communicate • Toastmasters? • Be as prepared as possible • Review Strengths with trusted mentor/faculty • Practice beforehand • Cheat sheets (comfort sheets) • Don’t freak at hard questions (some will push intentionally)

Sample Questions • Tell me about your previous research experience • Why do you want to go to graduate school? • Why do you need a Ph.D.? • What are your long term goals? • Where do you want to be in 10 years? • Why do you think that you’ll be successful in your chosen career? • What experiences prepared you for graduate school? • Why are you interested in our program? • What projects attract you for dissertation research? • What are your strengths? • What areas do you need to strengthen? • How do you deal with people who are different from you? • What do you think will be hard about graduate school? • What have you not told me, that you want to be sure I know? • What questions do you have about our program? (have some)

ACTIVITY! • Ask one another some of these sample questions, in class! Let the Interviews begin!

Research Career Development - Interviewing for Graduate School