General Skills to INCREASE Your Success as a Graduate Student and Future Professional

1. General Skills to INCREASE Your Success as a Graduate Student and Future Professional New Student Orientation

2. In the field in general….. • Much of a person’s success depends on professionalism skills and less on the person’s job description • You could be the most awesome behavior analyst but, if you are not professional, it is unlikely you will be successful • You don’t always know: • how important these professional skills are • what they are • or how well you are doing in this crucial area

3. Graduate Program in ABA • In this program, we will attempt to correct this problem. • We are going to tell you some of the subtle things that will help you to: • Be a successful graduate student • Be an active student member of this program • Get the professors to give you strong letters of recommendation for field sites, assistantships, and jobs. • Remember, these skills will also help you be a successful professional in this field.

4. Interpersonal Style and Skills • Give corrective feedback in appropriate situations and in a non-punitive manner • Speak to your professor and classmates in private and specify the appropriate desired behavior • E.g., assume you are wrong, smile and ask for help. Try to sway people into viewing the situation from your point of view. If they don’t, decide how important it is---you may or may not want to pursue the issue. • Always end discussions with a smile and a sincere thank you. • Respond in a socially appropriate manner • Rational not emotional • Be pleasant and respectful in interactions • Be the kind of person your professor and classmates want to be around • Actively listen when spoken to in person or in class • E.g., Good eye contact, head nodding • Do not dominate discussion at meetings and in class • Pick up on subtle cues from your professor and classmates

5. Interpersonal Style and Skills • Speak often enough in class to share in a discussion • You will get more out of class when you are actively engaged • Appear appropriately receptive to the values and viewpoints of others • You may hear some things in this program that you disagree with. Be open minded and think about all aspects of the issue • Always hand in quality assignments • Less than quality assignments could make a bad impression on your professor and classmates • Never ask for an extension of an assignment • This could give your classmates and professor the impression that you are unprepared and have poor time-management skills. • Be present at every class (except in a documented emergency) and be prompt • Remember your professor and classmates are always forming an opinion of you • Lateness and absences will result in a lower overall grade

6. Interpersonal Style and Skills • If you want to speak with your professors, make an appointment when possible • If it is not possible to make an appointment, always ask your professor if they have time to talk to you • You will find your professor to be extremely accommodating in sharing their time with you, try to be respectful of this.

7. Interpersonal Style and Skills Outside Of Caldwell College • Remember you represent Caldwell College in much of what you do in the field in general, now and after you graduate. • Many of you work in our affiliation sites (and all of you will be observing in our affiliation sites). You will be hired over non-Caldwell College students because we have a reputation of having professional students eager to learn. • Please be professional, respectful, and committed to your jobs at all times in those sites (e.g., never leave a position mid-year, this leaves a student without an instructor). • Feel free to seek out my advice regarding your work in any of our affiliate sites.

8. Correspondence with Professors • E-mail etiquette • It is very reasonable to wait 2 business days for a reply • Do not send another e-mail within 2 business days • Include a salutation, use correct grammar, and always sign your whole name • Be respectful of your professor’s time • Seek information prior to asking a question of your professor. • This may entail thoroughly reading the syllabus, talking to other classmates/colleagues or other activities

9. Technical Skills • Use effective speaking skills in class and at other times • Grammar, clear description, loudness • Use effective writing skills • Grammar, spelling, organization • Use good systems-analysis skills Effectively detect, analyze and clearly specify problems within a particular area and implement good solutions E.g., when summarizing a journal article, writing a lit review, making a presentation • Use high-quality behavior-analytic skills • As you learn what these are, immediately apply them to every aspect of this program

10. Technical Skills • Effectively manage your time • There are substantial writing and speaking requirements in just about every class • Don’t wait until the last minute to get your assignments done because • You are cheating yourself out of an effective learning experience • It might make a bad impression on others • You may be putting undo stress on yourself and, in return, putting out bad karma, vibes and feelings (and who wants to be around that???)

11. Administrative Roles • Coordinator of Graduate Programs and your advisor – • Sharon A. Reeve, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Can advise you on courses • You should track your progress on your program checklist that includes a course rotation. • This is found on the graduate student resource page in addition to other helpful information regarding your program • http://faculty.caldwell.edu/kreeve/ABA%20Student%20Resource%20Page.htm • Department of ABA Chair – Kenneth F. Reeve Ph.D, BCBA-D • Oversees the ABA Department and teaches in the ABA program • Other Full-time Faculty • Tina Sidener, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Ruth DeBar, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Part-time Faculty • Frank Cicero, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Linda Meyer, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Merrill Berkowitz, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Dave Sidener, Ph.D., BCBA-D • Robert Allan, PhD • Graduate Office – • Bette-Jo HoAire -Graduate register • All registration issues should go to her and • ehoaire@caldwell.edu (973) 618-4308

12. We’ll Practice What we Preach • The faculty members will do their best to always model these behaviors for you • We are open to feedback and welcome it (when delivered professionally!) • Remember that feedback should be presented in a private, respectful way • We will also provide feedback to you, in return • Know that we take our jobs seriously as your professors and mentors • We will try to shape all aspects of your academic and professional behavior so you can be the most successful professional possible • We take pride in you!