Alex Proaps
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Alex Proaps
I'm not in I/O, but I do work that crosses over. One of my professors answers the following question: "Should I get a Master's or PhD in I/O Psychology?" http://j.mp/jHN9pj
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Berrak S.
We're working on a Team Brazen blog and I'd love your input on Grad School vs. Real World Experience. This is something I'm battling with as well: If I have the real world experience, is it necessary for me to go to grad school? Will it enhance my chances of moving forward in my career? What do you guys think? What's been your experience?
69 weeks ago from Education, Human Resources, Entry-Level Young Professionals, Career Changers and Graduate Students3 more
Ryan Paugh and Brett Kunsch recommended this
Sal Pellettieri:
Grad school was useful for me in that I learned some theory and practical applications in my field (finance). However I would say that about ...MoreGrad school was useful for me in that I learned some theory and practical applications in my field (finance). However I would say that about 80-90% of what I have learned in most classes (undergrad, grad, misc. courses etc) was useless. What has been more important is the credibility that the letters after my name has afforded me.
67 weeks ago
67 weeks ago
Danver Chandler:
the 'paper' it seems helps in some situations, though the reality of it is that its worth in an economy like this may be less than what you paid
65 weeks ago
65 weeks ago
Ed Mejia
Should I take the GRE right after I get out of college even though I am not attending graduate school? I would like to attend graduate school in a near future. However, I want to get real world experience before I do that.
68 weeks ago from Ask A Coach
Diane L:
Hi Edward, what field are you applying to? Your program type will determine the distribution of your recommenders. It also depends on what kind ...More
Hi Edward, what field are you applying to? Your program type will determine the distribution of your recommenders. It also depends on what kind of story you want to paint/where you need to beef up on.
For a more occupational,hands on-type major, eg. public policy/ management science, go 1/3 academic, 2/3 work, possibly 3/3 work if your target program is meant to deepen rather than shift expertise.
If its an academic-type major, go 3/3 academic, as research-based degree committees care about your mental aptitude, inquisitiveness, not just high scores, even if you are not planning to stay in academia. There is some possibility of 2/3 academic and 1/3 work here if your work is related, or you feel that it showcases you in a more outstanding light. This is important because it seems that you have more work experience than average. It may make you stand out.
If you have to ask for academic recs, Im sure your teachers stlll remember you. If not, refresh their memory! Bring up a discussion you had with them, a great paper, forward them your awesome work if you have to. And dont pick a prof whose class u just did well in, because the grade speaks well enough for itself. Choose someone whom you really had rapport with and did research or any extra-curricular project for.
Your recommender at work shld be someone of higher rank whom you worked closely with. Many people make the big mistake of picking the CEO whom they had one project/one brush with: proximity and length of time with your supervisor counts far more than title.
In all cases, remember that you have more control in shaping your application at this point than you think. Chat honestly with your profs/bosses about your decision and ask if they are willing to write a good rec for you.
Ur undergrad GPA seems fine, esp since you did physics. Many folks from my alma mater fared worse but they were successful in moving forward as physics is known to be one of the harder majors.
Dont sweat the small stuff. When we look at ourselves, all we tend to notice are the bad points. Focus instead on the things you can change and shape now, which are your rec-pickings, and your Statement. Youd be surprise how this can count for much. Think really hard abt your Statement, address issues if you need to, and when you write it, it should encapsulate both your goals and values.
Does this help? Wonder if others agree.
68 weeks ago
Hi Edward, what field are you applying to? Your program type will determine the distribution of your recommenders. It also depends on what kind ...More
Hi Edward, what field are you applying to? Your program type will determine the distribution of your recommenders. It also depends on what kind of story you want to paint/where you need to beef up on.
For a more occupational,hands on-type major, eg. public policy/ management science, go 1/3 academic, 2/3 work, possibly 3/3 work if your target program is meant to deepen rather than shift expertise.
If its an academic-type major, go 3/3 academic, as research-based degree committees care about your mental aptitude, inquisitiveness, not just high scores, even if you are not planning to stay in academia. There is some possibility of 2/3 academic and 1/3 work here if your work is related, or you feel that it showcases you in a more outstanding light. This is important because it seems that you have more work experience than average. It may make you stand out.
If you have to ask for academic recs, Im sure your teachers stlll remember you. If not, refresh their memory! Bring up a discussion you had with them, a great paper, forward them your awesome work if you have to. And dont pick a prof whose class u just did well in, because the grade speaks well enough for itself. Choose someone whom you really had rapport with and did research or any extra-curricular project for.
Your recommender at work shld be someone of higher rank whom you worked closely with. Many people make the big mistake of picking the CEO whom they had one project/one brush with: proximity and length of time with your supervisor counts far more than title.
In all cases, remember that you have more control in shaping your application at this point than you think. Chat honestly with your profs/bosses about your decision and ask if they are willing to write a good rec for you.
Ur undergrad GPA seems fine, esp since you did physics. Many folks from my alma mater fared worse but they were successful in moving forward as physics is known to be one of the harder majors.
Dont sweat the small stuff. When we look at ourselves, all we tend to notice are the bad points. Focus instead on the things you can change and shape now, which are your rec-pickings, and your Statement. Youd be surprise how this can count for much. Think really hard abt your Statement, address issues if you need to, and when you write it, it should encapsulate both your goals and values.
Does this help? Wonder if others agree.
68 weeks ago
Edward Antrobus:
Diane, Thanks for the advice. I'm currently looking at hydrology but also considering environmental engineering if the program fits. My career ...MoreDiane, Thanks for the advice. I'm currently looking at hydrology but also considering environmental engineering if the program fits. My career direction/goal is watershed management.
I graduated in 2009, but that's because I dropped out for 5 years before returning. Most of my classmates graduated in 2003. Since then two of my favorite professors have retired, another left for another university and hasn't gotten back to the last request I sent him (asking if he had any copies of the research I did for him because I lost mine when I moved). That leaves one professor that I had for ~ 1/3 of all the classes I had in the department, but didn't do anything particularly memorable and my statistics professor. And my statistics professor for whom I did an extra credit project just for fun.
The final year GPA was 3.69, but my over all GPA was 2.75 and major GPA was in that ballpark (stupid Relativity!). What worries me the most is the fact that while the schools I am looking at require 2.75 for general admission), the programs themselves require a 3.0
As far as work, I've only been in contact with one former boss/coworker, in agriculture.
68 weeks ago
I graduated in 2009, but that's because I dropped out for 5 years before returning. Most of my classmates graduated in 2003. Since then two of my favorite professors have retired, another left for another university and hasn't gotten back to the last request I sent him (asking if he had any copies of the research I did for him because I lost mine when I moved). That leaves one professor that I had for ~ 1/3 of all the classes I had in the department, but didn't do anything particularly memorable and my statistics professor. And my statistics professor for whom I did an extra credit project just for fun.
The final year GPA was 3.69, but my over all GPA was 2.75 and major GPA was in that ballpark (stupid Relativity!). What worries me the most is the fact that while the schools I am looking at require 2.75 for general admission), the programs themselves require a 3.0
As far as work, I've only been in contact with one former boss/coworker, in agriculture.
68 weeks ago
Alex Proaps
I found the most amazing grad school blogs this year. Most of my favorites are not professional blogs - just personal blogs belonging to grad students. I'm the only person in my entire cohort who has a blog and from what I know, there are only a handful of PhD students and professors in the department who have blogs. It's a shame that personal blogs aren't recognized in end of the year "best of" lists. So my question is - what were your top five favorite grad school blogs in 2010?
Ruth A. Harper:
Well, not sure if this really is what you were looking for, but in my new media marketing class, our professor had us all create our digital ...MoreWell, not sure if this really is what you were looking for, but in my new media marketing class, our professor had us all create our digital brands through blogging, tweeting, etc. All 14 or so of us created a blog on topics of interest. A couple of my favorite from the class (besides mine! http://justruthings.com):
- Indie music reviews rated by cheese: http://kindofbleu.com/
- Recipes/cooking blog: http://queenhenrythe8th.com/
- Stories and insights on the Millenial generation: http://millenn-i-am.com/
- Current events and news insights: http://garygavarone.com/
73 weeks ago
- Indie music reviews rated by cheese: http://kindofbleu.com/
- Recipes/cooking blog: http://queenhenrythe8th.com/
- Stories and insights on the Millenial generation: http://millenn-i-am.com/
- Current events and news insights: http://garygavarone.com/
73 weeks ago
Kevin Li:
Sweet site. Premise is: Your dissertation. As a single haiku.
MoreSweet site. Premise is: Your dissertation. As a single haiku.
http://dissertationhaiku.wordpress.com/
73 weeks ago
MoreSweet site. Premise is: Your dissertation. As a single haiku.
http://dissertationhaiku.wordpress.com/
73 weeks ago
Alex Proaps
Guest post by the awesome @kittenthebad: Finding Your Cognitive Surplus in Grad School http://bit.ly/bp7ojp #brazen
88 weeks ago from
Alex Proaps
Guest post by the amazing @kittenthebad: Finding Your Cognitive Surplus in Grad School http://bit.ly/bp7ojp #brazen
88 weeks ago from
Alex Proaps
{Blogged} I choose to stop "shoulding" on myself: http://gradtao.com/2010/08/29/shoulding #brazen
90 weeks ago from
Ryan Paugh
What are your favorite types of posts to read and comment on when you visit Brazen? I'm not sure if you guys realize this, but it's such a difficult job to filter through our database to find the best of the best. It's all relative + there's so much to go through that I could literally read blog posts 24-7. I like original, opinionated blog posts. I'm not a huge fan of cliche personal development posts. What about you? Help make my job easier :)
92 weeks ago from Blogging Ideas, Blogging, Gen-Y Professional Bloggers, Brazen Bloggers and Brazen Community Feedback3 more
Jim Parker, Tariq West and Ty Unglebower recommended this
Kenji Crosland:
I like posts that explore difficult questions, even if they don't provide answers. I dislike posts like "Five funky habits that will change your ...MoreI like posts that explore difficult questions, even if they don't provide answers. I dislike posts like "Five funky habits that will change your life!"
90 weeks ago
90 weeks ago
Elizabeth Marling:
I like posts that are both personal and informative: for example, someone gives instruction for a skill, task, etc. I get a lot more from an ...MoreI like posts that are both personal and informative: for example, someone gives instruction for a skill, task, etc. I get a lot more from an author who gives the reader their own real-life method. Sometimes people get stingy with knowledge and only share some of what they know, and I can usually tell. I want to know what the author knows--and something of their actual experience in the real world using that knowledge.
90 weeks ago
90 weeks ago
Alex Proaps
Hey grad student friends.
I'm working on making my grad school blog more interactive. Would love some input from everyone in the Brazen grad student network.
I want to find out how YOU balance everything while you are in grad school. How do you prioritize to make time for family/friends? What do you sacrifice for your sanity and what do you refuse to give up while in school?
Would love to hear from you here or if you're interested in guest posting, let me know!
Rebecca Thorman recommended this
Ruth A. Harper:
Hi Alex! I had an interesting time last school year because I began taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. I was ahead in credits ...MoreHi Alex! I had an interesting time last school year because I began taking graduate courses as an undergraduate student. I was ahead in credits when I entered freshman year due to taking some college courses in high school so I figured I might as well get my master's degree and wait an extra year for the job market to (hopefully) become better before going into the "real" world.
Anyway, it was really tough being a graduate student and a senior in college. I wanted to spend time with my friends because many of them were graduating and I knew I wouldn't see a lot of them for a while. For me, my friendships and family are most important, even more than my education, so I have to make sure I make time for them. With my friends and roommates, we would sometimes study together and/or just hang out in the same room while doing homework. Although this can turn out to be not an extremely effective way to get work done...
Anyways, last year I sacrificed sleep most of all. I also sacrificed a few Friday nights to some dreadful marketing research homework heavy in statistics. But for every night I gave up, I made sure to make up for it with my other senior friends. This year, as a lot of my friends are graduated and gone from school, I plan to buckle down and work even harder. The grad classes are at night and without any undergraduate classes to worry about, I'm going to try to find a part-time job to stay busy and to get more experience. One of my professors said she worried about students graduating with too much education and not enough experience--hopefully this is something I can avoid by finding an internship/job this year.
Phew! That's probably way more than you cared to hear LOL. But I also wanted to let you know that I'd be interested in writing on a related topic (in a much more organized manner, of course!) for a guest post, if you're interested. Just let me know! :)
93 weeks ago
Anyway, it was really tough being a graduate student and a senior in college. I wanted to spend time with my friends because many of them were graduating and I knew I wouldn't see a lot of them for a while. For me, my friendships and family are most important, even more than my education, so I have to make sure I make time for them. With my friends and roommates, we would sometimes study together and/or just hang out in the same room while doing homework. Although this can turn out to be not an extremely effective way to get work done...
Anyways, last year I sacrificed sleep most of all. I also sacrificed a few Friday nights to some dreadful marketing research homework heavy in statistics. But for every night I gave up, I made sure to make up for it with my other senior friends. This year, as a lot of my friends are graduated and gone from school, I plan to buckle down and work even harder. The grad classes are at night and without any undergraduate classes to worry about, I'm going to try to find a part-time job to stay busy and to get more experience. One of my professors said she worried about students graduating with too much education and not enough experience--hopefully this is something I can avoid by finding an internship/job this year.
Phew! That's probably way more than you cared to hear LOL. But I also wanted to let you know that I'd be interested in writing on a related topic (in a much more organized manner, of course!) for a guest post, if you're interested. Just let me know! :)
93 weeks ago
Alex Proaps
Interesting post about how one's "calling" in life is not just limited to talents and skills. http://www.escapetheivorytower.com/2010/08/moving-beyond-talent-and-skill Sometimes our "calling" should not be limited to our natural skills and talents because we learn something new and challenging in school or in the workplace. What do you think? Do you base your "calling" on your natural talent and what comes easiest to you or has your "calling" changed over time with experience/education?
Alex Proaps
{Blogged} Zen and the art of stuff (or how I simplified and still kept my Pottery Barn dishes): http://pixie658.wordpress.com/ #brazen
95 weeks ago from
Alex Proaps
Solitude is happiness for one who is content: http://pixie658.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/contentment/
Alex Proaps
Woodstock for Entrepreneurs: Startup Lessons Learned Conference http://tinyurl.com/2uokdat
Alex Proaps
Here at Brazen we talk a lot about Gen Y. Found this great article on Generation G and I think it describes so many of my Brazen friends. :D http://trendwatching.com/trends/generationg/
Alex Proaps
Why don't we require Dating Entrance and Exit Exams? Well, some of my friends think it's actually a good idea. :) http://pixie658.wordpress.com/
Alex Proaps
Posted part 2 of my graduate student Q&A: Contacting potential advisors before applying to graduate programs. Did I miss anything? http://pixie658.wordpress.com/
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