Success in graduate school depends on more than earning good grades. This is a time for students to build a professional network, learn and practice professional behavior, and begin a new stage in their career. The following information includes advice and resources related to advising, mentoring, and professional networking that can help students on the path to future success.
Faculty have higher expectations of graduate students than for undergraduates. The list below covers basic expectations, but it doesn't cover everything. You are encouraged to discuss specific expectations with your advisor on a regular basis.
You are expected to:
- Perform work in a timely and responsible manner
- Ask questions when expectations or protocols are unclear
- Discuss your expectations with your advisor
- Establish career goals and initiate your job search
- Maintain good research records - each field is different, but this generally involves a complete set of lab notes
- Follow polices that govern practice in your field
- Be familiar with and adhere to Michigan Tech policies and procedures
- Meet with your advisor regularly and report on your progress to date
- Meet deadlines and make continuous good progress toward completion of your degree
- Study full-time when you are enrolled full-time.
- If you are funded as a GRA or GTA, this part-time employment is provided by the University to allow you to pursue your education on a full-time basis.
- Participate in events such as program seminars and defenses for your professional development
- Treat all members of the University community with respect
- Avoid personal or professional relationships that might result in a conflict of interest
- Commit the time and energy required for success
You will form a life-long relationship with your advisor. You can expect more from your advisor than you would expect from a course instructor. Below are some basic expectations that will help you understand the types of guidance an advisor generally provides.
You can expect your advisor to:
- Provide training in research methods and standards for responsible conduct
- Emphasize importance of ethical standards of conduct
- Help you to identify appropriate courses and projects that can be used to satisfy degree requirements
- Aid you in setting goals and establishing timelines for your research project
- Manage shared research resources such as staff and equipment
- Set criteria for and honestly evaluate your progress
- Set an example by following proper research protocols
- Set criteria for credit in publications
- Provide feedback in a reasonable amount of time
- Establishing, with you, a dissertation or thesis committee early in your career
- Meet with you regularly to provide feedback
- Make arrangements to be accessible or have alternative supervision during extended leaves
- Encourage you to attend seminars for your professional development
- Encourage and assist you in preparing publications or presentations
- Provide advice and letters of reference to assist you with your job search
- Ensure that the study and research environments are safe
- Treat all members of the University community with respect
- Promote networking with other professionals
- Avoid personal or professional relationships that might result in a conflict of interest
- Be familiar with and adhere to Michigan Tech policies and procedures
You shouldn't expect your advisor to answer every question you have. It's important to develop a network of professionals to support you in your career. This network will include your examining committee, peer mentors, professional mentors, and other colleagues. All of your professional relationships will contribute to your growth as a professional.
The advisor-student relationship is special and it can potentially be life-long. If
the
relationship is not proceeding smoothly, we recommend that you consider the following
options:
- You should first try to resolve issues by speaking with your advisor. Set aside a dedicated time to discuss the incompatibility in a professional manner. Although these conversations can be difficult, they are an important part of your professional development, and you are generally your own best advocate.
- Your graduate program director is responsible for all of the graduate students in the program, and should be contacted for addressing all programmatic issues, including any advisory-related issues.
- Your department chair or college dean is responsible for all program in the department or college, and is another resource to you.
- Your committee members are invested in your success, and can also provide guidance and support.
- The Graduate School staff is committed to student success and can provide information about policies in the Graduate School and the University and suggest potential ways to resolve conflicts.
- The Ombuds at Michigan Tech provides informal conflict mediation services, and is independent, neutral, and confidential.
- Counseling Services can provide a confidential outlet for discussing conflicts with your advisor and help you manage stress or anxiety associated with advisor-related issues.
A mentor can be a faculty member, a professional in a student's field of interest, or a peer. Many successful professionals have several mentors, who may be different people at different stages in their career. Mentors and professional contacts are often key to discovering and pursuing academic and professional goals.
Since your advisor is also your supervisor (who grades and evaluates your progress) it is a good idea to find other individuals to support your success. Having a team of mentors will help you achieve your professional goals and provide advice and support throughout your graduate career and into your professional life.
See the "About Mentoring" section of our web site to get suggestions on how to find a mentor, establish a relationship and ask that mentor for the help you need.
- Canvas—Access course materials | Get help from Instructure| Get help from the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning
- IT Resources for Graduate Students
- Software Distribution Center —Download software available to students (requires MTU ISO ID and password)
- E-mail, Email lists, Calendars, and Collaboration
- Google Apps—Gmail | Drive | Sites | Google+
- Google Calendar—View and Subscribe | Schedule a meeting
- Library resources for graduate students
- Plagiarism detection software—Examine your documents for plagiarism (requires MTU ISO ID and password)
- Student Mental Health and Well-being Services—help with mental health, and well-being
- Conflict Resolution Network—access to Michigan Tech resources
- Report a Concern—send a concern to a staff member for assistance
- Graduate School staff—answer questions regarding your progress
- Public Safety and Police Services—report a crime, store a weapon, find emergency information
- Student Health Insurance—answer questions regarding health insurance
- Title IX coordinator—facilitates an environment free from prejudicial discrimination or harassment
- University Ombuds—provides Informal conflict mediation services
Educate yourself
- The Chronicle of Higher Education—News, information, and jobs in the higher education field (subscription needed for some content; Michigan Tech students will have access when accessing from the Michigan Tech network)
- Individual Development Plan—Explore career possibilities for PhD students based on your skills, interests, and values
- Inside Higher Ed—News, information, and jobs in the higher education field
Start networking online
- Network with Michigan Tech alumni through LinkedIn
- MentorNet—e-mentoring for diversity in engineering and science
- Find a Linkedin group in your discipline
- Set up a Google Scholar profile
Network in your discipline
Some examples of professional societies for a variety of disciplines are below. Every discipline has one or more professional societies that host meetings on a regular basis.
- Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
- American Society for Mechanical Engineering (ASME)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Modern Language Association (MLA)
- The Scientific Research Society - Sigma Xi
- Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA)
- Society of American Foresters
Find support for underrepresented minorities
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society
- Association for Women in Science
- ASU CareerWISE—resilience training for PhDs in STEM fields
- Black Women in Computing—online community for black women in computing fields
- Michigan AGEP Alliance—working together to advance underrepresented minorities in STEM fields
- National Society of Black Engineers
- SACNAS—Devoted to advancing Hispanics, Chicanos & Native Americans in Science
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers