Grad Cohort Workshop Schedule

   

Friday, February 6, 2004

 

1:00—Welcome (slides)

  Overview of the problem: why so few? Goals of the workshop; Introductions

Speakers:
  • Jan Cuny, University of Oregon
  • Mary Lou Soffa, University of Pittsburgh
    		•

    1:15—What's graduate school all about? Goals and survival skills (slides)

      This session will address strategies for surviving and, in fact, thriving in graduate school and developing the necessary knowledge, experiences and skills for a successful career. Topics include: developing realistic goals and expectations; the difference between getting a M.S. and Ph.D. degree; finding a research topic; selecting advisors, and mentors; planning and building a research, teaching and/or industry career; starting to build a professional and peer community; developing self-confidence; finishing the thesis; getting the skills needed for a successful career; and handling problems that arise.

    Speakers:
  • Anne Condon, University of British Columbia
  • Susan Eggers, University of Washington
    		•

    2:15—Break

       

    2:45—All about Research

      This session will focus on strategies for getting started and building a solid foundation in the research process as a graduate student. Topics include: choosing a research area, identifying a research adviser, identifying a thesis topic, working in a research team, setting research goals, tracking and maintaining your progress, securing a research assistantship position and the associated expectations, choosing a PhD committee, taking the initiative in your own research, working through problems in progress and adviser relationships, building a resume, presenting your research orally and in writing, and ethics in research.

    Speakers:
  • Lori Clarke, University of Massachusetts (slides)
  • Jeanne Ferrante, University of California at San Diego (slides)

    • 4:00—Break

       

    4:15—Networking Skills (slides)

      This session addresses the skills that are needed for networking, a very important component of a professional life. The topics include the importance of networking, and strategies for finding a community: meeting people in the field; promoting your research and yourself; getting invited to serve on important committees; networking at conferences and workshops; an example introduction/networking session at a conference break; and the development of an "elevator" talk.

    Speakers:
  • Kathryn McKinley, University of Texas
  • Mary Jean Harrold, Georgia Tech
    		•

    5:30—Break

       

    6:30—Reception and Dinner

     

     

     

     

    Saturday, February 7, 2004

    8:30—Academic career paths: Research and teaching

      This session will focus on the different career paths in academia. Topics include the roles of research, teaching and service and how they differ in academic institutions; moving between institutions; what are the expectations in academia and how to you find out the particulars; what are the challenges and rewards; what skills and experiences are needed for success; the different possible career options in academia and how to move among them.

    Speakers:
  • Sheila Castenada, Clark College (slides)
  • Mary Lou Soffa, University of Pittsburgh (slides)

    • 9:30—Break

       

    10:00—Non-academic career paths: Industry and Government Labs (slides)

      This session will focus on the different career paths for Master's and PhD computer scientists in industry and government laboratories. Topics will include the research process, environment, and expectations in the different communities, different career paths for a new PhD and a new Master's graduate, the challenges and rewards of a non-academic career, skills and experiences needed for success, becoming aware of new opportunities for advancement, taking initiative in your own career advancement, collaborating with researchers in academia or other organizations, adjunct teaching opportunities, making career changes between labs and academia.

    Speakers:
  • Sung-Eun Choi, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Evelyn Duesterwald, IBM
  • Susan Dumais, Microsoft
  • Kathleen Fisher, AT&T (slides)
  • Sharon Perl, Google
    		•

    11:30—Career Paths - Combined

      Members of both career path panels will answer audience questions.

    12:30—Lunch: Break out areas

       

    2:00—Having a career and a life

      This session will address strategies for maintaining balance and good perspective in your life during graduate school and throughout your career. Topics will include: achieving personal satisfaction in your career and family life, time management strategies, decision making strategies when career and family priorities seem to collide, reevaluating your personal and career goals and initiating changes.

    Speakers:
  • Carla Brodley, Purdue University (slides)
  • Lori Pollock, University of Delaware (slides)

    • 3:15—Break

       

    3:45—Peer and cohort support (slides-6MB) (slides-690K)

      This session will focus on the importance of a peer and cohort group and the cohort group being formed at this workshop. Topics include different types of cohorts; what cohorts offer; setting up cohorts and sustaining them; Building local support with peers and mentors in your department and other organizations on campus, Creating cohorts at other institutions.

    Speakers:
  • Jan Cuny, University of Oregon
  • Sheila Humphreys, University of California at Berkeley
    		•

    5:00—Wrap up (slides)