Criteria for being a successful grad student in Ecology (and becoming employed afterward):

 

Adapted from Jack C. Schultz (Penn State University) with embellishment by A. K. Knapp (Senior Ecologist here at CSU)

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A grad student with a high probability of success is one who (not prioritized):

 

a. is creative and broad-minded

b. sets clear research and career goals (after arriving in grad school is ok) and priorities 

c. acquires the information and skills necessary to achieve those goals (for which he/she may not be rewarded with grades--coursework is certainly not the only way to do so) 

d. can (or must learn to) take the initiative in meeting goals (is willing to get his/her hands/feet dirty) and takes responsibility for meeting goals (doesn’t rely on excuses) 

e. becomes productive in the currency needed for meeting career goals (e.g. publishing refereed papers for an academic career) 

f. is task oriented rather than time oriented (understands that science is a career not an hourly job) 

g. integrates different ideas, concepts, and bodies of knowledge (part of being creative) and is willing to learn some of the methods, and at least some of the language of other disciplines so as to think creatively about ones own subject and be able to collaborate effectively 

h. realizes that it is scholarship (broadly defined) not just credit hours and data collected that earns one a degree 

i. works well with others and in teams 

j. is devoted to excellence in communication at several levels (teaching is included here) 

k.  understands the following quote: “It is never wise to seek prominence in a field whose routine chores do not interest you” (E. Wigner) 

l. understands the competition he/she is facing. There is someone else out there who is as good as you are at all the above, wants the same job, and does little else with their time but pursue their goal

m. recognizes that maintaining enthusiasm, optimism and dedication towards achieving their goals, along with satisfying the above criteria, provides them with the best opportunity for success  

 

1.      1.     Advice and “Professional” suggestions for success as a Grad Student and beyond:

 

  1. Be here 8-5 M-F...or leave a note on your door indicating where you are. This is the minimum # of hours you should be working. View grad school from the prospective of professional development...not as an undergraduate student... There is always something you can be doing...even if you're “brain-dead”....scan the literature...read an edited volume...

 

  1. Set goals (see below) and have the self-discipline to enforce deadlines...even if it means staying late to meet an artificial deadline!

 

  1.  Become a “Science Nerd”...scan Current Currents weekly...(send out lots of reprint request cards)... peruse the unbound periodicals at the Library monthly...

 

  1. Collect as much relevant old literature as you can....some labs provide a copy card for free (to you)...use it!

 

  1.  Plan your research and your dissertation/thesis in detail. Make sure it is question/hypothesis driven. Have proposed Chapter titles and a rough outline done ASAP...For any research project, sketch the graphs/tables you will produce before you make any measurements....if you know what will be on the x and y axis...you will know what experiments to set up and what to measure! Get your advisor and committee a copy of your prospectus for your thesis/dissertation ASAP.

 

  1. Always make sure you can justify your research scientifically in the broadest terms possible....don’t rely on “Because it hasn’t been done before”...

 

  1. After you collect data...as quickly as possible, reduce it, initially analyze it and graph it...this will provide (hopefully) positive feedback for your efforts...as well as guide you in “mid-experiment adjustments” that can be made... If you were to build a house, you wouldn’t cut all the boards first and then start nailing!!....Don’t collect a massive amount of data in the summer and then start analyzing in the winter after its too late to adjust things...

 

  1. During the field season, your life is like that of a farmer...you have nothing to show for your time till the crop is harvested...Everyone needs vacations...but don’t take them during the field season...short trips will have to do...take the long trips in the non-field season. The one exception is ESA...but even then, if it’s a critical field season, skip ESA.

 

 

2.      2.     Goals to set to be successful.

 

  1. Publish lots of papers! Long and short, in top journals and regional journals, as first author and as 2nd-9th author! Published papers are the currency that others will measure you with. Quality is very important...but quantity is also important...

 

  1. How many papers is “lots”? At least 2 for your MS (preferably both first authored with 1-2 others that you are a secondary author)....and 7-10 at the end of your PhD (half should be first authored by you!). That may seem like a lot...but its a worthwhile goal.

 

  1. Once you start publishing, have no “0” paper years...show a consistent ability to be productive...this requires long-term planning...it takes 12-24 months for a journal to publish your work.

 

  1. Present at ESA every year possible...Posters are fine for preliminary work...but when you have a good story to tell...give talks! This is how people learn of you (and how you get jobs...).

 

  1. Give enthusiastic talks! When you make any oral presentation...although it may be more fun to “throw some slides together the night before” or “work on it at the meeting”...you should have your talk practiced, timed and polished before you leave for the meeting...giving a bad talk will undo years of reputation-building doing good science! People remember two types of talks...really good ones...and truly bad ones. 

 

  1. Be an ambassador for your research and the Ecology graduate program at your university ...the value of your degree will increase if the reputation of your school is enhanced. When at National Meetings or when visiting with other grad students or scientists, don’t whine and complain (even though you may have good reason to do so) about your university or the town it is in...and don’t apologize for your data or your study!!! (Don’t shake your head and say: “I messed up and should have done this instead...”) Everyone’s data and studies have problems and rough spots...Don’t ever lie about your data or your study...but salesmanship is very important in this field...if you want to sell a car, you don’t voluntarily point out that the tires are worn...point out that the engine has low miles! Learning to do this will help you publish and get your research funded.