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January 28, 2020In this issue: RA employment policies, planning for a successful semester, and more.
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Tips for Grads: Planning for a successful semester
One of the greatest challenges that graduate students face is time management. Every semester brings new opportunities that require more of your time, while coursework and degree requirements also become more demanding as you progress. These changing and evolving responsibilities often introduce unfamiliar tasks, which can make it difficult to plan your semester in advance.
In her recent webinar, “Every Semester Needs a Plan,” Rachel McLaren, PhD, from the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) notes that graduate students often fall victim to a “planning fallacy” due to a lack of clarity about how much time research and writing tasks actually take. People tend to underestimate how long these tasks will take by a factor of 2.5 – so that paper that you budgeted 5 hours for is likely to take closer to 12.
To make matters worse, graduate students often create idealistic plans instead of realistic plans. Idealistic plans may seem “ambitious,” and you may assume that “aiming high” is the best strategy because even if you fall short of your goal, you’ll still be fine. Unfortunately, idealistic goals are more likely to encourage procrastination because the task at hand feels insurmountable.
Dr. McLaren shared some keys to overcoming these barriers and successfully planning your semester:
- Know what you need as a human being and what you need to accomplish this semester.
- Create a realistic (not idealistic) plan to meet all of your needs. Ask yourself honestly what is realistic based on the constraints of the current semester.
- Build support and accountability mechanisms that will sustain and motivate you. Be conscious of the type of support and accountability that will be meaningful to you. This could include working with others remotely or in-person, or personal accountability strategies.
- Watch the webinar! It is available for on-demand viewing, and it will walk you through the planning process while providing more useful tips.
This edition of Tips for Grads is based on the NCFDD webinar, Every Semester Needs a Plan. The full-length webinar and a wealth of other resources are available to all UW–Madison students. You can access this content by activating your NCFDD account through the UW–Madison institutional membership.
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for “Tips for Grads.”
If you’re interested, check out our infographic for details and email gspd@grad.wisc.edu to let us know.
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| DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the nine facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.
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| | Upcoming Professional Development Events
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You landed an interview for an industry, government or nonprofit job. Congratulations! Now is your one chance to impress. In this workshop, tailored for master's and doctoral students, you will learn about various types of interview questions, review a structure for crafting interview responses that illustrate your experiences, practice responding to interview questions in real time, and discuss effective nonverbal communication. Pizza will be available at the end of the workshop, with gluten free and vegatarian options. Due to overwhelming interest in this event, we have opened a wait list. Please sign up for the wait list if you are still interested in this event.
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- Linear Models (with Stata)
- Structural Equation Modeling and Mediation (with Stata)
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Special Events & Symposia
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RA policy added to Graduate Assistantship Policies and ProceduresResearch assistantship policy has been added to the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) document. GAPP provides formal guidance, clarity, and transparency on employment-related matters for TAs, PAs, RAs, and their supervisors. The document formalizes practices that are already established at UW–Madison such as appointment letters, performance evaluations, job orientation and training, leave benefits, and a grievance procedure for graduate assistants. Questions regarding GAPP should be directed to your departmental HR unit.
Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering
The Graduate School is hosting a competitive process to fund two UW–Madison graduate students to learn about science policy and advocacy at the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) workshop in Washington D.C., March 29 through April 1, 2020. The entry-level program, sponsored by a coalition of scientific groups including the AAAS, teaches STEM graduate and upper-class undergraduates about the structure and organization of Congress, the federal budget and appropriations process, and tools for effective science communication. Applications are due Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and for the steps to apply.
Public presentations scheduled for Vice Chancellor finalists
Four finalists for the position of Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, the chief officer at the university who oversees and coordinates the research enterprise and graduate education on campus, will visit campus over the next few weeks to give public presentations. Forums are scheduled for Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, and Feb. 19. All open forums will take place from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the DeLuca Forum in the Discovery building. The presentations will not be recorded; people are encouraged to attend in person. Candidate names and CVs will be released 48 hours in advance of each visit on the search website. The website includes a link for providing feedback on candidates through 5 pm on Feb. 21.
Apply for a Bucky AwardApplications for the Bucky’s Award Ceremony is now open until Feb. 21. The Bucky’s Award Ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations from UW-Madison for their hard work on campus and in the community. Anyone and everyone can apply for an award.
Awards include:
- Dean’s Award of Excellence
- Conservation and Sustainability
- Graduate Peer Mentor Award
- Most Involved
- Outstanding Leadership
- Best New Org
- And many more
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Mental Health Resources for Grad StudentsAccording to the 2016 UW–Madison Healthy Minds Study, 94% of UW–Madison students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 90% of students who used mental health care found it helpful.
Let’s Talk. Drop in for a free, informal, and confidential consultation about any topic at locations across campus. Common concerns include stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems.
Individual Counseling. University Health Services offers individual counseling in a confidential, caring space, with bilingual mental health providers available in Mandarin or Spanish. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic.
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The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues, and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.
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Please note: Some graduate students may be ineligible to hold graduate assistantship appointments. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator about your eligibility before applying.
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The Title VIII Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, provides funding for research and language training to American scholars and students for the study of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Title VIII maintains U.S. expertise in the regions and brings open source, policy-relevant research to the service of the U.S. Government. Title VIII Fellowships cover full tuition at the Central Eurasian Studies Summer Institute (CESSI), an eight-week summer intensive language program that teaches Uzbek, Uyghur, Kazakh, and Tajik, and provide a stipend of $2,500 to cover living expenses for the summer. U.S. citizens who are graduate students are eligible to apply.
2020 Virginia Horne Henry Fund
Applications due Feb. 3 (4:30 pm) This fund provides money for an annual competition in a number of activities related to women's physical education, movement, and the female body in culture including: 1) Research Grant, 2) Student & Sport Clubs, 3) Special Project & Visiting Scholar, and 4) New Course Development. Awards are granted on the merits of the project and the close connection to the fundamental principles of Virginia Horne Henry's work - creating a campus resource dedicated to the pursuit of women's lifelong learning skills in the areas of physical education, including knowledge and appreciation of women's movement and the female body in culture. All faculty, staff and student organizations at UW–Madison are eligible to apply for funding.
Returning Student Scholarship Opportunities
Applications due Feb. 10 A limited number of California’s state decision makers possess backgrounds in science, engineering, or technology. Despite this, they are asked to make critical decisions on a number of issues that require an understanding in these areas, such as our water supply, the state’s energy grid, and overall environmental policy. To address the challenge this represents, each year the CCST Science Fellows program recruits a corps of fifteen PhD scientists and engineers. These Science Fellows spend one year in Sacramento, directly serving decision makers within the California State Legislature and Executive Branch. CCST Science Fellows work alongside decision makers to evaluate complex scientific issues and interpret data, while tackling the responsibilities of full-time staffers.
Biogen Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medical Affairs
Applications due March 31 Biogen's Boston office offers a 2-year rotational program for PhDs interested in exploring careers in Medical Affairs in the biotech/pharma industry. Biogen’s 2-year fellowship in Worldwide Medical provides PhD graduates a hands-on opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Medical Affairs and the pharmaceutical industry within the walls of a cutting-edge biotech. During the first year of the fellowship program, fellows will explore different functional areas within Worldwide Medical through a series of rotational experiences. Fellows will also have the opportunity to select one rotation outside of Medical, to foster a broader understanding of our cross-functional partners and how their functions collaborate with Medical and fit into the greater organization. For the second year of the fellowship, fellows will pick an area of concentration within Worldwide Medical to prepare them for a continued career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
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