Survival Skills for Graduate Students

1. Survival Skills for Graduate Students Crafting the Winning Curriculum Vita! Dr. Deborah Lee Professor/Coordinator Mississippi State University Libraries

2. Survival Skills Survival Skills for Graduate Students: Workshops • Research Dissertation Basics • Developing a Literature Review • Landing on the Tenure Track: Job Hunting in Academia • Grant$ for Grad$ • Crafting the Winning Curriculum Vita Mississippi State University Libraries

3. Survival Skills Session Overview • Purpose of Curriculum Vita • Content Do’s and Don’ts • Available Resources • Formatting Considerations Mississippi State University Libraries

4. Survival Skills Curriculum Vita vs. Resume • CV: used for academic positions, with an emphasis on teaching and/or research. • Seldom restricted in terms of length. • Resume: used for most other types of positions. • Often restricted to one or two pages. Mississippi State University Libraries

5. Survival Skills Purpose of a Curriculum Vita (CV) • Employment (academia) • Grants • Awards • Professional Roles • Editorial Positions • Uniform Document of Professional Achievement Mississippi State University Libraries

6. Survival Skills Purpose of a CV • For the applicant: • First introduction • Creates interest in the applicant • For the search committee or employer: • Screening tool • Initial assessment • Potential source of interview questions Mississippi State University Libraries

7. Survival Skills Application Packet • Often Includes (follow instructions!): • Cover Letter • Curriculum Vita • Research Statement/Agenda • Teaching Philosophy/Portfolio • Writing Samples • Copy of Dissertation Signature Page • Letters of Recommendations Mississippi State University Libraries

8. Survival Skills Preparation Considerations • This is NOT the place to be cute! • Professional, Neat and Conservative • White paper, conventional styling and Times New Roman Font • Update often; consider a web version Mississippi State University Libraries

9. Survival Skills Components of a CV • Varies, depending on the applicant and the position • Value of multiple CVs • Core Information and Selected Material Mississippi State University Libraries

10. Survival Skills Contact Information • Name, address, phone number and email address • Home vs. Work contact information • URL • Current!!! Mississippi State University Libraries

11. Survival Skills Education • Usually the first section after contact info • List in REVERSE chronological order • Phd (include title and dissertation advisor) • MA and/or BA/BS • Institution, degree, year, major and/or area(s) of specialization Mississippi State University Libraries

12. Survival Skills Relevant/Professional Experience • List full or part-time, in reverse chronological order • Title of position, place, date of employment, and perhaps a brief description of duties • Teaching assistantships, internships, practicums, and field experiences • Omit irrelevant employment or move to another section Mississippi State University Libraries

13. Survival Skills Teaching and Research Interests • List separately • Teaching: areas of experience or interest • Research: projected areas of future research (broadly defined) • Be prepared in an interview to discuss each section! Mississippi State University Libraries

14. Survival Skills Publications • Included completed or accepted publications • Provide full citations: author(s), title, journal (or press), page numbers • Usually does not include in-progress publications • Consider categorizing publications: • Journal articles • books, • Presentations, book reviews Mississippi State University Libraries

15. Survival Skills Honors/Awards • Use only if relevant: academic or professional awards or recognition • List details: name of award, awarding agency or department, and date. Mississippi State University Libraries

16. Survival Skills Service or Professional Activities • Professional memberships (included here or as a separate section) • Department or university committee work • Work on national committees • Service as a discussant at a conference • Community service (maybe….) Mississippi State University Libraries

17. Survival Skills Other Sections • Military Service • Immigration Status • Skills • Languages • References Mississippi State University Libraries

18. Survival Skills What NOT to include: • Personal information: health, physical appearance, age, marital status, children • Social Security Number • Salary Requirements • Courses Mississippi State University Libraries

19. Survival Skills Formatting the CV • Shape the CV to match the TYPE of position • Research vs. Teaching Institutions • Length: adequate but not “stuffed”! • Accuracy is paramount • Proof read everything • Be conservative in formatting: • White paper • Good bond paper Mississippi State University Libraries

20. Questions? Mississippi State University Libraries