On a sunny afternoon, undergraduates interested in hearing about graduate education lounge in the shade, eating ice cream on a grassy lawn and meeting other students studying on the beautiful OSU campus in Corvallis for the summer. Our Ice Cream Social events are an opportunity for students to meet with staff of the Graduate School and learn about graduate education, why someone would want to pursue a graduate degree, and how that dream can become a reality.

The students came from a variety of places. Some are members of groups participating in research programs on campus for the summer, some are OSU students taking summer session courses, and some are from other colleges in the area and across the country. This event gave them all an opportunity to think about graduate education, convene together in one of the many pleasant corners on campus, and enjoy some mint chocolate chip on a warm summer day!

— Guest blog post from graduate student Francisco Guerrero, winner of the 2015 Scholars’ Insights competition and organizer of the LaRGe communication workshops. 

It started in 2014 when I decided to take part in the Oregon State University Scholars’ Insights competition. Scholars’ Insights is based on the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition where you tell the story of your graduate work to a general audience in only three minutes with a single powerpoint slide. I was afraid that my accent (as an international student) and my nervousness would complicate the delivery of my message. I got some control over the nervousness by working on many versions of my presentation. But my accent was still there making me feel insecure. This insecurity showed up during my presentation and I forgot the script. But that was not the end of the story.

To squeeze all that I could learn from that experience and share it with other students, I organized a science communication workshop called “life-science encounters”. Kelly Lytle, the 2014 Scholars’ Insights winner, presented there and talked about her successful experience. When trying to summarize what she did, I came up with the idea of being Likable, Reliable and Gettable (LaRGe). During the workshop, we learned the elements of this combination: a good story, a powerful body language, and interesting pictures to capture people’s attention.

With the help of OSU’s experts in storytelling, acting, and graphic design, we put the pieces together as the LaRGe communication model workshop offered in spring 2015. The tools we developed through these workshops were the same that led me to won first place in the 2015 Oregon State University Scholars’ Insights as well as an “Outstanding Student Paper Award” at one of the most important scientific conferences in my field.

This spring, with the support of the Graduate School we are offering the LaRGe workshop series to more students across campus.

Networking, public speaking, scientific presentations, and career fairs were just some of the opportunities that OSU students took advantage of during the SACNAS 2015 National Conference in Washington D.C.

OSU was well represented at SACNAS.  The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, OSU Cultural Resources Centers, College of Forestry and the OSU Graduate School hosted and staffed booths at the Recruitment Fair.  Multiple OSU faculty members,  staff and students participated in the fair other conference proceedings.

Graduate student Omar Miranda had his eyes opened to working for NASA.

“I had the opportunity to meet with NASA recruiters; prior to speaking to them, the thought of working for NASA seemed to be out of reach. However, after speaking to them, I feel inspired to pursue a position.“

Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, Fran Saveriano, was also there to network with students. She let them know that graduate school is a great career option. With over 80 different graduate programs, OSU is a leader in many fields of study.

But how can students pay for graduate school? For tuition support, Saveriano says,”there are many opportunities for students coming to OSU, awards like the Diversity Advancement Pipeline Fellowship and the Graduate Diversity Recruitment Bonus.” In addition to these award programs, many departments offer their own scholarships. Student can also find funding through various research projects.

Saveriano wants students to reach out to her and professors at OSU. “You never know unless you ask.”

Congratulations to OSU’s SACNAS chapter who also received an award for outstanding development and outreach.

Students who want to learn more about graduate school can email us at graduate.inquire@oregonstate.edu.

The sound of my ice skates gliding across the rink, scraping the surface as I twirled and twirled into a dizzying nirvana. The cold Minnesota air stinging my cheeks, and threating to penetrate my armor of scarves, mittens, and double-socked feet. The sweet, warm taste of hot cocoa with marshmallows that my Mom made for me when I’d come home. As a kid, winter was a magical time.

Fast forward to today and, let’s face it, life just isn’t as rosy as we remember it as kids at the skating rink. Life as a grad student is a lot of work. Making any sort of magic happen requires some intentional effort.

I asked an OSU grad student, “What would a magical winter look like to you?”

And this is what I heard:

• Snowboarding
• Exploring Oregon
• Getting a lot of writing done
• Connecting with friends and family
• Netflix binging
• Grabbing a beer with my advisor
• Reading for pleasure
• Lying on a beach in Mexico

Does any of this sound good to you, too? What if grad students gave themselves permission to reclaim their winter magic? Sure, work hard. Write an awesome thesis/dissertation. But allow yourself time for fun, too. Think about it…

And in the meantime, the Grad Student Success Center (GSSC) will soon unveil a series of workshops and events for winter term, that can help put a little magic into your winter. From Writing Workshops to an Explore Oregon Trip, to Grad Career Day and The PhD Movie 2 (and more!), we’re looking forward to helping make your winter dreams come true. The GSSC Event Calendar will be updated soon – tell us what you’re wishing for!

Karen Hanson
Graduate Student Success Coordinator

Black and orange confetti decorates the tables in OSU’s historic Memorial Union ballroom where a group of graduate students have gathered with their advisors to celebrate their accomplishments. Once a year, the Oregon State University Graduate School brings together all of their award winners for a celebration at an annual luncheon. This year nearly 150 students and faculty have come to enjoy lunch and reflect on the important work they all do.

This work is highlighted by Ph.D. candidate Allison Barner as she takes the stage and briefly discusses her research in coastal marine ecosystems. The Lenore Bayley Graduate Fellowship she is receiving this year will allow her to deepen and extend this research in new and exciting ways. Allison expresses her gratitude to the Graduate School and all of the people who have made this possible.

Cynthia Sagers, OSU’s Vice President for Research, also takes the stage. She reminds the audience that they are each, in their own way, part of the enormous impact that OSU is having on Oregon and around the world. Just this past year, for example, OSU received over $300 million dollars in research funding, its highest level ever. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the people in this room.

Every year the Graduate School ensures that this work can continue by providing approximately $4 million in scholarships, fellowships, and awards to approximately 300 students. These funds make possible the incredible research performed by these exceptional students.

Check out more of the Graduate School’s awards and award recipients on their website.

Dozens of undergrads lounge on the grass across from Kerr Administration under the swaying sycamores eating ice cream. This is a rare moment for them to take a break, meet students working in other fields, and hear about graduate school. These students have travelled from all across the country to visit Oregon State University for the summer and participate in a variety of summer research programs. The Graduate School invited them here to talk about the benefits of graduate school and the ins and outs of the application process, no matter where they may apply.

Fortunately, the Graduate School speaks to a captive audience. Many of these students already have plans for continuing their education. This event, however, gives them a chance to meet a few peers they may have otherwise missed while showing what the Graduate School at Oregon State University has to offer.

After everyone is settled, graduate school staff move to the front one or two at a time to discuss the benefits of graduate education. No doubt the students have heard these numbers before. The higher your education the higher your salary and lower your chances of unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates for those with a Doctoral degree is 2.1% vs. 3.5% for a Bachelor’s degree and 6% for a High school diploma. Additionally, the median weekly salary for someone with a Doctoral degree is $1,591 vs. $1,101 for a Bachelor’s degree and $668 for a High school diploma.

Through stories of their own personal journeys and experiences, graduate school staff humanize these numbers and encourage students to consider these points carefully when planning their own professional journeys. Fran Saveriano, Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Financial Support, encourages students to seek out funding once they’re accepted into a program. She urges them to, above all else, “Apply! You won’t be funded without asking.”

Looking for summer research opportunities?  Check out the Graduate School’s summer research information page. For more information about applying to graduate school or financing your eduction, visit the Graduate School’s website or email them at Graduate.Inquire@oregonstate.edu.

— Rich Collins, Marketing and Recruitment Intern and graduate student

Fall marks the beginning of a new academic year for students and faculty alike. As a graduate advisor I encourage students to use the word “expectations” to help facilitate a conversation with their major professor about what is in store for the future. I believe understanding someone’s expectations clarifies goals and helps you manage your time.

Here are some tips to help you manage expectations and set up a successful new year.

First, define your own expectations. Take the time to reflect on your career and academic goals. Start by re-reading your personal statement from your application. Ask yourself again where you want to go with this degree. Then review job postings in your field based on your future qualifications. If you see positions that excite you, print them out and highlight the reasons why.

Once you have reflected on your own expectations, initiate a meeting with your advisor and share them. Then ask what their expectations are for you. These conversations will be ongoing and can help avoid misunderstandings down the road. Be proactive and don’t wait until a problem forces the conversation. Having a regular meeting time can also help prevent issues from building up over time.

Having clarity of goals and expectiations will help you progress in a meaningful way. Your demeanor and approach to this will help set the tone of your relationship, as well as help your advisor improve their own understanding and management of students.

It is important to realize your faculty advisor is also feeling the excitement and anxiety of a new academic school year. They may not be thinking about their expectations for you yet. Faculty have a lot on their plate at the beginning of a term ranging from delivering courses to working on their own research. This is exactly why you meet with them early in fall term to discuss initial expectations as well as those for the entire academic year. Document this conversation and adjust as things change. Because things will change.

As an advisor, I find miscommunication is often the root cause of dissatisfaction between an advisor and the student. These small misunderstandings can grow to become a major ingredient to a significant conflict.

If you feel a miscommunicaiton is happening, ask. Also consider using email to summarize the discussion or what was agreed upon and send that out to everyone involved.

A discussion about shared expectations helps provide clarity and an opportunity to convey your hopes and aspirations for graduate school. This is a wonderful time in your life, but it will go quickly. The process will be much easier and more rewarding if everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

— Robert Allan, Director of Student Services, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

Join us on Oct. 14 for the second part of our mentor relationship series “How to build a productive relationship” presented by Breanne Taylor of the OSU Ombuds Office. Register here »

For me, finding an advisor was like trying to find my keys on the way out of my apartment. I’m late, I really need to get out of here, but I can’t go anywhere without my keys! Advisors are, whether we like to admit it or not, our ticket to graduation and greatest resource, lifeline, advocate, etc. Unlike my undergraduate experience, where advising appointments were about as frequent as dentist visits (every six months whether I needed it or not), advisor relationships are vital to success in graduate school.

“My advisor is very understanding but still motivates me to do my best.” – OSU Graduate Student

Finding an advisor/ mentor should be a paramount priority for any graduate student. While you may have heard some horror stories regarding experiences with advisors, the fact is that most graduate students find, create, and foster lasting relationships with mentors and advisors.

“My advisors represent the best aspect of OSU and are the reason I’m here.” –OSU Graduate Student

The OSU Graduate School and Graduate Student Success Center (GSSC) recognize the importance of healthy relationships between students and their advisor/mentor. This is why the GSSC will be hosting a Mentor Relationship Series this fall term. Our workshop series will deliver tips and best practices, including: a panel discussion to help students navigate the process of “Finding the Right Match”, September 30th; to learn “How to Build a Productive Relationship” through the wisdom of Breanne Taylor, October 14th; relationship troubleshooting with Don Johnson’s “Creating Positive Solutions”, November 12th; and effective “Conflict Management” with OSU Ombuds representatives Breanne Taylor and Sue Theiss, November 24th.

Each workshop will take place in MU 206 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm. Refreshments and coffee/tea will be served.

Mentor Relationship Series Schedule

• Wednesday, September 30th 3:00 – 4:30pm – “Finding the Right Match” – MU 206
• Wednesday, October 14th 3:00 – 4:30pm – “How to Build a Productive Relationship” – MU 206
• Thursday, November 12th 3:00 – 4:30pm – “Creating Positive Solutions” – MU 206
• Tuesday, November 24th 3:00 – 4:30pm – “Conflict Management” – MU 206

– Drew Hatlen, GTA for Student Success

Photo by Leon Fishman under Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic

It’s the last Friday before classes start. A new academic year is just about kick off. Perhaps you are thinking , “what can I do differently this year?” Well, in that spirit, here’s a list of ideas and motivators to get you going. These articles represent popular links from the five most recent issues of our GradSuccess – FTW newsletter.

• Four chemistry-approved ways to stay awake without caffeine – Prof Hacker – Tips include watching cat videos, no really.
• How to handle negative feedback – Harvard Business Review
• Advice for new teaching assistants – Inside Higher Ed
• 10 steps to PhD failure – Times Higher Education – The comments kind of rip this article apart, but there is some practical advice offered.
• Slowing Down: 6 Strategies for Deep Listening – ProfHacker, Chronicle of Higher Education
• How to Write the Perfect Task to Move Work Forward – Asana’s Workstyle Blog

Open by Tony Webster on Flickr

Need to know how to fill out a Program of Study, find a Graduate Council Representative (GCR), or schedule your final exam? These and many other questions can be answered at our new “Ask the Grad School” drop-in hours at the Graduate Student Success Center (GSSC) in MU 203, most Tuesdays throughout the fall. Stop by, enjoy a free cup of coffee and get your questions answered. You can also email us any time or call us at (541) 737-4881. Distance students can use these directions to participate using Google Hangouts.

When: 1-3 p.m. Pacific time, on the dates below

Where: Graduate Student Success Center, Memorial Union 203

Ask the Grad School Dates

• Sept. 29 – Karen Hanson – All programs
• Oct. 13 – Darcy Miller – All programs
• Oct. 27 – Julie Kurtz – Thesis and graduation deadlines
• Nov. 3 – Betty Langford – Education, liberal arts and grad school interdisciplinary programs
• Nov. 10 – Debra Ricciotti – Ag sciences, public health, pharmacy
• Nov. 17 – Diana Jolly – Engineering
• Nov. 24 – Diana Jolly – Engineering
• Dec. 1 – Michelle LaCrosse – All programs
• Dec. 8 – Tasha Leonard – Forestry, science, business, CEOAS, vet med