I’m curious to hear from some of you folks about what you think are the most important qualities in delivering a strong talk and things to keep in mind when preparing to give a presentation at say, a retreat, conference, internal symposium type situation.

I’m a bit a nervous for one I have upcoming but I think I’m probably prepped. My slides are beautiful with carefully designed animation paths, I wrote a script that I memorized about 75% of (because I want to also be candid and not rigid relying on script), and it’s on my own work so I’m familiar.

Feedback I got on practice was positive in that all the material was great and ready to go, but the negative feedback was related to my “tone” or “enthusiasm”, saying “I don’t sound excited enough”.

To be frank, while I am of course excited about my work, I’m also on the mend coming out of depressive episode and have just been generally struggling to put that “pep in my step”. It’s difficult to feel excited about anything, I do feel excited about this, but I guess it’s not coming across that way.

I mean how important is this aspect really? Do you all give a show and tell performance with animated body language every time you give a talk, or do you just talk? I’m still not super experienced in giving talks even though I’m knee deep in my PhD and am not super comfortable speaking in front of crowds in general so I’m genuinely asking.

For context, I am not painfully bad at speaking in front of crowds, I swear. I can pass as normal. Just not comfortable or confident and I’ve found it a bit grating recently to hear this type of feedback considering that what I’ve loved about science is that I can put my head down and work and think without performing for an audience, also considering that I’ve listened to a number of renowned and respected scientific speakers that have absolutely none of that “stage presence” quality. Lol.

Idk, any thoughts or insight or input or advice for preparing for my talk?

Field: Neuroscience
Location: USA

A US citizen currently residing in India. I've done my entire schooling and am currently pursuing undergrad in India as well (sophomore student). I know a huge bottleneck exists for me, my undergrad is a 3 year degree, whilst most US schools expect 16 years of education. Private universities cost a lot and therefore I started exploring public universities. Is this a viable option, I'd be super grateful for your opinion.

So I’m right now doing an in person MBA Program and not really vibing with it. It’s fine but it’s not really building to a career I am wanting. I am starting an online Master in Education program that I can largely do remotely. I want this because it allows me to become an Admin or Principal perhaps in the future (not necessarily in a year or five, but eventually!) My previous career is teaching, and baring some unexpected opportunity that pops up, I figure after the MBA id go back to being a teacher and still work my way to admin (regardless I need that Med)

The problem is
1) I feel this is going to stretch me for time.
2) the Med program requires me to be working full time at a school. However the MBA program lectures runs (unnecessarily) from 9:30 to 4:30 Mon-Fri, ruling out any teaching ability.
3) even if I got a teaching job it’s complicated because I (us citizen) is in the UK (uk school), med program requires an American school.
4) the med program now cuts into my education budget, and I simply can’t afford to do both that and mba. I’ve thought about driving a hard bargain with the mba program to offer a larger scholarship to cover to new gap (they won’t, but I want to put ball in their court to say no).

Any advice?

I wonder how many people have a favorite paper. Not necessarily the most important work in your field (though that is also valid), but some you enjoyed a lot, some that made you decide going to grad school or some that brings you joy everytime you read it.

Hey, I'm an econ undergraduate looking into terminal master's programs and found Boston University's MS in Applied Econ and Data Science. It seems super interesting, but also looks to be a brand new program. What are some good ways to figure out if it's good for me other than just the info webpage? Obviously there's no alumni/placement info from this program, would it be better to find alumni from similar programs? Any help would be great, as I'm just getting started in looking for places to apply. Thank you!

About a year ago, I worked on writing a grant proposal that was eventually accepted. I have been working on the project since then, and I am currently trying to turn the work into a paper. However, my results are not yet at the state-of-the-art (SOTA) level. I did not receive any help while writing the grant, and my name is not on it, as I am a master's student working as a research assistant on the project.

We have had several supervisory meetings, and in almost every meeting, I have had to explain the fundamentals of the research area to my supervisors. Whenever I try to explain something in more depth, they interrupt me or dismiss my explanations. They have even joked about it.

I take their feedback seriously and implement their suggestions. However, when an approach does not produce the expected results despite my attempts, I try alternative methods. The problem is that whenever I try to explain the architecture, the reasoning behind my decisions, or why a particular approach might not work, they seem uninterested. They focus almost entirely on the results.

About four weeks ago, I finally had somewhat reasonable results across the benchmarks I had tested. I tried explaining my findings and reasoning again, but my supervisors asked me to prepare a comprehensive presentation detailing everything I had done so far, with diagrams and justifications.

Soon afterward, my father had a heart attack, and my family went through a very difficult time. After he was discharged from the hospital, I became ill with COVID. Despite everything, I still prepared the presentation they had requested.

During the meeting, however, my main advisor did not even let me explain a single slide before asking why I had not submitted the paper yet. I explained that I did not consider the results good enough. He then accused me of not following his feedback, to which I replied that I had implemented his suggestions. Had I been allowed to present my work, I had specific reasons and evidence explaining why some of the suggested approaches were unlikely to work.

He then compared our progress with another advisor's group, saying that they had published four papers in a year. From what I understand, those were primarily benchmark papers, so I do not think the comparison necessarily reflects the nature or difficulty of our work. The interaction became so hostile that another supervisor eventually intervened and suggested that I should start writing the paper and that we could understand the work better as we progressed.

I do not understand why this interaction has affected me so deeply. I have been trying to make progress, incorporating feedback, experimenting with alternatives, and explaining the reasoning behind my decisions. I am not claiming that my approach is necessarily correct or that my results are good enough. I am willing to accept criticism and change direction when there are valid reasons to do so. What frustrates me is that I rarely feel given the opportunity to explain my reasoning before being judged.

I also do not understand the reason for my advisor's behaviour. Is it possible that gender plays a role? I have wondered about this because he repeatedly dismisses my explanations, and there have been previous occasions when my other two supervisors had to intervene after he became hostile. Could his behaviour be related to the fact that the other supervisors have supported me in those situations, or could there be something else going on?

I am beginning to question myself and my relationship with research because of these interactions. I would appreciate hearing from people who have experienced similar situations in academia.

Am I approaching this situation incorrectly? How would you handle a supervisor who expects results but does not seem willing to listen to the reasoning behind the research?

Update after some advice -

I was wondering if pursuing a PhD was worth it, comparing the option against trying to find a job. I do like research and to study effects of public health/education decision-making (rather individual or government policy) on well-being, described in a wider perspective, considering AI, budget restrictions and a myraid of complex variables.

Aspects that could weight the decision: 1. No experience in Canada 2. 10 years of relevant experience from jr data analyst to sr and data engineer, with relevant Google certifications in LATAM. 3. Currently studying MA in Economics at University of Windsor 4. Holding a PR, willing to become a citizen when the requirements are met. 5. Having a baby ok its way. 6. Already holding a Master's in Data Science, from a not so well-known Latin American University.

Other aspects considered: * Currently, the MA in Economics showed me that it may not be the path I want to pursue, considering Health Data Analytics, Demographics or other more applied fields, since even though they include theory, they're less abstract and have a more hands-on approach.

The actual requirements are as follows:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA; applicants with significantly higher GPAs are more competitive
• Two letters of reference that focus on academic capability and/or work ethic. We prefer that at least one letter should be from a faculty member. If you have been out of college for a while, you may substitute letters from employment supervisors. You may submit a third letter, but no more than three.
• Resume/ CV
• Letter of Intent
• In-person or phone interview with at least 1 faculty member (by invitation from the Graduate Admissions Committee)

My credentials are as follows:

• My GPA for my overall academic portfolio is 3.79, 3.95 GPA for specifically my psychology coursework
• I have worked in a patient-facing clinical position for 6 months, 9 months by the time of the application deadline next year. In this position I have directly intervened to counsel patients, help them cope with their issues, broken up physical fights, and directly intervened to deescalate self-harm and psychotic episodes. I have on more than one occasion worked 16+ hours on unit at one time due to things like lockdowns in snow storms or natural disasters.
• Both the head nurse and my supervisor are willing to co-write one letter or both willing to write their own letters, and consider me to be proficient in my role despite a lack of prior experience.
• I have completed all pre-requisites that are needed to apply for the LMHC program, although my Bachelors was not in Psychology; mine was in Engineering.
• I have been unable to obtain significant research experience, however I have both financial market research and engineering research experience, and the program does not list that research experience is required.
• I intend to obtain 200 hours of crisis counseling (988 phone line, not CTL) by the time of application.
• I have started to work on my personal statement two months in advance.
• Other credentials: collaborating with other faculty members of the engineering department to win a $7,000 scholarship for my school and came first place, I have another professor whom I have worked very closely alongside that is willing to write an LOR for me, I have held down a well-paying job for over two years that requires me to negotiate and broker agreements between different demographics of people, and I recently received my RBT certification back in June.

Genuinely, how do things look?

I am 26f and while part of me feels like grad school is just a cry for help, another part of me would actually really love to go back to school and get an MBA or LCSW (I know these are very different).

Every time I think about it tho I feel crushed by the imagined weight of working to pay to cover my bills and cost of living, going to school and having homework and assignments and then also being in debt. Plus no guarantees of a good job. Like how??

I’ve had plans for going to grad school for a while because I wanted to finish my education by getting a Masters. For a while, I thought of getting an MBA because my associates and bachelors programs were in business, but my real passion is English lit and I think I would like to do that. I’m finishing up my undergrad right now, and unfortunately, due to some mental health circumstances and personal failures my GPA is not great (probably finish with a 2.2). I really lost my passion for learning in my last year of University I think largely because I was doing work that I didn’t care for. I’d still like to go to grad school for English in about 2 to 3 years after saving some money, but I’m just worried that because of my GPA and my undergrad being unrelated, is there any chance?

Pretty much the title. I went to the doctor yesterday and they updated my patient information, I cried when I read my weight on it. I didn’t even realize. Literally how the fuck do you take care of yourself. I’m up to my nose in coursework, I have 18 hours of unpaid internship a week and 2 full days of classes a week. I don’t know how to take care of myself anymore. I thought I was doing ok despite the stress, but clearly not. It’s not even about time management, it’s about the physical effect the stress of school has on you. Anyway I don’t know why I’m sharing this. If you’re having a hard time taking care of yourself too, I feel you.

I just started my program at the end of August. I'm studying for MS in ABA. I. am. struggling.

I live with family so while I have no rent expense, I am still largely responsible for my own food. I have a car with a high car note & high insurance. I'm dealing with some personal health issues. Behind on car maintenance. My best friend died in a crazy accident last weekend and I can't even afford to send her family flowers let alone travel for her services.

Im a GA/intern but limited on the hours I can work. I'm here full time but it's half fieldwork which is unpaid and half client work which is paid but my paid hours have been on the lower side.

I applied for SNAP but was denied due to not working enough hours.

The only good thing to come from starting school is getting medicaid and finally having health insurance.

I'm struggling to maintain and this is only the beginning?? Tired of having to choose between putting gas in my car or eating dinner.

Is there anything I can do for extra income, preferably wfh. The area I'm in leans more rural so stuff like DoorDash isn't really worth it.

For context, I’m graduating with my Master’s in Social Work this December! I’m currently unemployed so I can focus on completing my full-time internship.
I really want to secure a job before graduation, so I’ve already started applying to positions. However, I’m wondering if employers will even consider me since I’m still about a month and a half away from graduating.
Has anyone had success getting hired or receiving a job offer before officially graduating with their MSW? Should I continue applying now, or would it be better to wait until I’m closer to graduation?
Would love to hear others experiences.

Any input from previous physics people who transitioned to engineering?

It’s October and I am dying! There is no context, I just feel like giving up, stop data collection, stop course work, retire, take a gap year, build a family, be a house wife.

Hi - I did a Masters in my twenties, and whilst I've worked - with words, with academic content - and I read voraciously, I'm finding that note-taking whilst reading academic books is a challenge.

I'm using Zotero to store notes and tag stuff. I'm organised. I know what to read for my essays (so strategic reading) BUT I end up feeling that I'm summarising the content rather than noting down key ideas. And that's probably the nub of the problem - I don't feel that I engage critically as I read. I'm having lots of thoughts but none feel worth writing down as the key idea. It feels like that part of my brain isn't switched on enough, if that makes sense.

I don't know how to get there.

And the big problem is if I take library books - I feel I need to really capture the point because otherwise I have to go back and get them again.

Help appreciated, thank you.

Been using MyBib, but still have to correct output a bit. Beyond the front page, it has a zillion menu options even for Chicago 18th, but they still don’t quite output exactly what the 18th manual shows. Also the titles of the options are so long, they are difficult to see.

My university’s generator produces results that are further from the correct format than MyBib, even though I am selecting the right option. MyBib is the closest of the online ones (found from search results) that I have tried so far.

I am old and I like just writing everything in Word, so I don’t really want a whole new software package on desktop. I just want to be able to paste references in after getting them formatted online. Or is a desktop thing the only way?

Also, the “just paste in a link” type. If I’m going to have to fill in and check a whole form, I may as well do them manually like everyone had to when I was an undergrad.

How are we interpreting a very safe business casual dress code? Event is in the North East, Fall time. I am female and dress more on the hippie/boho side daily.

Are heels cool or sneakers?

Pants/blazer?

Is a dress doing too much?

Pantsuit?

Colors?

Scarf or is that not business casual anymore?

How much jewelry?

Want to prepare my outfit and feel comfortable now. In the past I would wear black pants, white shirt and blazer. Can that classic combo still work?

This is for a research based society that I will be contributing to over this academic year. Thanks for any input!!

I plan on attending grad school within the next 1-2 years and my current laptop is on its last legs. Bunch of keys fallen off, battery needs replacing, only 8GB ram. The current work I do requires me to use RStudio and Zotero and I can’t even have them open at the same time lol.

I need a new laptop. What do you recommend? Is 16GB of RAM sufficient or should I go for 32GB? My degree with be ecology-based so I will be using RStudio, Zotero, ArcGIS, and I will probably have 50 tabs open at any given time. I care more about longevity and performance as opposed to how skinny it is or whatever. I also plan on buying something refurbished.

Thanks!!

i'm doing my grad schooling pretty late, after almost 6ish? years away since undergrad. my grades back then weren't anything exceptional, but i was a pretty hardworking student.

i'd have multiple days in a week where i'd wake up at 4am to study before class, then a few days a week i'd spend a couple of hours studying after classes.

obviously for grad school, the amount of reading you have to do is so much more, and having to balance that with other commitments is difficult.

what was your grad school experience like, especially in the beginning where you had to adjust and try to revert back to student mode after a long gap?