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Making the most of Graduate School. Carolyn Watters Dalhousie University. 1. I. Outcomes. Starting 50% back to graduate school after 5 yrs Professional Masters/ Thesis Masters/PhDs Finishing Prof degrees and thesis masters ~ 80% PhDs; arts 30-40%; science ~80% Employment
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Making the most of Graduate School Carolyn Watters Dalhousie University Canada-China Forum, August 2012 1
I. Outcomes • Starting • 50% back to graduate school after 5 yrs • Professional Masters/ Thesis Masters/PhDs • Finishing • Prof degrees and thesis masters ~ 80% • PhDs; arts 30-40%; science ~80% • Employment < 50% PhDs go to academia • Most of these do one or more postdocs Canada-China Forum, August 2012 2
Job aspirations for PhD students • Survey entering thesis students (Dalhousie) Canada-China Forum, August 2012 3
II Outcomes: Confidence Gaps • US study on confidence in new professors (CGS) • Reliance on “on-the-job training” Canada-China Forum, August 2012 4
Providing Opportunities • Professional Development • Internationalization • Program reform Canada-China Forum, August 2012 5
III. Professional Development Principles • University is responsible for preparing students for roles within academia and other sectors • University should be prepared to invest • Prof develop should not extend time to completion • Prof skills should be appropriate to career goals • Programs should be experiential Canada-China Forum, August 2012 6
What is a professional skill? • Can be learned • Needs practice • Includes reflection • Practical relevance Canada-China Forum, August 2012 7
Professional Skills DevelopmentAlumni/Students/Faculty Priorities Canada-China Forum, August 2012 8
CAGS(Canadian Association of Graduate Studies) Priorities • Communication Skills • Management Skills • Teaching/Knowledge Transfer Skills • Ethics in Research Full Report at www.cags.ca Canada-China Forum, August 2012 9
Summary • Success also happens outside of academia • All graduates need more than academic skills Academic Plan + Career Plan + Personal Plan • We share the responsibility Canada-China Forum, August 2012 10 carolyn.watters@dal.ca