When you say PhD, what come to your mind are tons of paperwork, endless research hours, and rigorous work schedules. While these are true, the rewards you’ll get from having a PhD may outweigh years of graduate studies. Getting a PhD is perhaps one of the most rewarding for a true-blue academic professional. But aside from personal rewards, others pursue having a PhD also for the career boost it may serve.
Grounds for higher income and better career salary
With a PhD, you may rise to higher positions or even be considered automatically for promotion. Expect to have better career opportunities to come your way. Offers may not only come from the company you’re working for but also from other industries. By specializing in a particular field of study, your expert knowledge and skills are considered worthy investments for different workplaces. You may also explore other opportunities through consultancy services or easily shift to another field. With all these, you’ll surely enjoy a bigger paycheck as well as better employee benefits.
The rewards of learning
The learning process is in itself rewarding to those who have completed their PhD. By specializing in their field of interest, such as applied or pure science, arts, and humanities, those who earned their PhD titles are considered true-blue experts. They may conduct their own studies or spearhead a special project that centers on discoveries, proofs, and validation of a study. With higher academic title to back you up, you’ll have less trouble when it comes to funding or sponsorship. You’ll also earn the respect of your colleagues and of other people.
Traits to have
For you to earn your PhD and be a so-called expert in your field, you should possess highly desired traits such as high literacy skills, strong motivation, persistence, industry, and passion for learning.
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Pursuing higher learning can be taxing on your finances. Fortunately, there are institutions offering student loans to individuals who are strapped for cash. While this may seem like the answer to many a student’s prayers, it’s the payback that have graduating and new graduates struggling in debt. Different ways to pay back loans however, are available for review even before you sign up for one.
The deferment option
Most loans have deferment options which allow students to postpone payment for a certain time period. Look into plans and providers that give consideration to the applicants’ needs. It’s tough enough to earn just how much to cover one’s basic expenses, that paying back a student loan is another burden to shoulder.
Longer loan term
Though this option means having to pay off your loan for a longer time period, it’s relatively easy on the pocket. A longer loan term allows you to pay off a significantly smaller amount every billing period but the the whole payment is extended. However, due to this lease on your payment, some providers might charge an additional fee or higher interests. Do your computations and see if a longer loan term with interest will be beneficial for you.
Lower loan rates
The interest rate is another factor to look into. Scout for the best loans that promise the lowest interest rates. Choose a good loan term that offers low interests. Avoid loans with high interest rates , as these can leave you in debt even after you’ve paid back the initial amount that you borrowed.
Debt repayment services
Debt and credit counselors offer their services to people who have money management and debt issues. They can take care of scheduling your payments and even manage some of your finances. However, caution should be exercised when employing the services of debt repayment agencies.
Community work
Working your debts off also applies for payment of your student loans. Organizations and even schools offer this option where you could do volunteer work such as volunteering for Teach for America, Americorps, and other public service groups.
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You’ve learned the value of time in college. And just like any commodity, you’ve wished you had more of it. Now that you’re in grad school, with all its harder subjects and taxing requirements, you wish you knew where and how to pull more time for your own. Just like how one learns how to budget money, managing your time should have been one of those things you’ve mastered right out of college. However, if you’re a working professional juggling grad school and a family, here are a few pointers that can certainly help you out.
List it down
Juggling a career with grad school? You probably tend to slack off in one aspect or the other. To combat this, make separate lists of things to do. Jot down the schedules for each activity and make a calendar of events. Getting organized allows you to see things more clearly, and you have an ordered set of tasks that you just need to go through. However, if a large volume of work happens to coincide with an important paper, devise ways to accomplish both. You may start doing the paper earlier so as not to miss out on that project at work.
Learn how to rank
After listing down important events at work, in school, or even in your social life, sit down an put them in order based on importance. Check the dates of each activity and see if one coincides with another. However, don’t miss out on social activities either. Put your activities in order by prioritizing events that would have significant effects on your work or studies.
Learn to strike a balance
In connection with ranking, one must learn how to determine which events or tasks to put more effort on. Though doing excellent in all fields is exemplary, there are just some things that can make do even with just a little effort. If you’ve gauged that a certain academic paper has a greater impact on your GPA than, say, a short article in an elective class, spend more effort and time on the paper.
Have room for flexibility
Though you’ve set yourself a calendar that just about lets you do things, other items might come up. To avoid your whole month’s planned activities crashing down on you, do your work or assignment as soon as you can. Instead of scheduling to do a certain project a week before its deadline, do it immediately. Not only will you have time for sudden events, you’ll have free time that you can use up in anyway you want to.
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Regardless of the reputation of the institution you work for, being a research or teaching assistant still poses dangers of being sexually harassed. This is because of the power relations involved in holding a job as a subordinate of a professor or lecturer. There are lots of gray areas on the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace, so to help you steer clear of situations that could potentially lead to sexual harassment, here are a few tips:
Be conscious of both the professor’s actions and yours
A common argument that perpetrators make when faced with accusations of sexual crimes is that the woman or the complainant was allegedly “asking for it” or “showing she wanted it, too.” This part can get a bit tricky, as confirmation or rebuttal of such claims relies on subjective interpretation. Avoid making sex jokes and sharing intimate information. Not only can this be interpreted wrongly, it’s also unprofessional to do so. If your professor does something, anything, that can be remotely considered sensual or sexual and makes you uncomfortable, speak up.
Discomfort and uneasiness are not just the telling signs of sexual harassment. If your professor coerces you in any way to engage in intimate activities, that is considered sexual harassment. This can come in the form of threats on your job (“I guess I can always hire another TA if you’re not comfortable…”) or more direct blackmail. Also, sexual harassment need not involve physical acts. Verbal sexual harassment is also common in the workplace. Use of lewd and obscene language when talking or referring to you is sexual harassment. The same is true with spreading rumors of sexual nature about you to the extent that it affects your professional relationship with your boss and colleagues.
Know the specific tasks the job involves and be prepared
As with any other job, you should do research and inform yourself on the benefits and risks before applying for the post of teaching assistant. Working for a respectable and renowned institution and professor doesn’t ensure your safety from being sexually harassed. Holding a job as a teaching or research assistant entails working closely with an academic superior, and this may mean late nights grading exams, doing student evaluations, and sharing opinions – instances which may inadvertently lead to precarious and awkward situations.
Knowing in detail the tasks involved in your job will help you draw lines between professional and personal favors. This way, you can say no if your boss asks a personal favor from you that makes you uncomfortable. Universities and colleges have different academic cultures, so make sure you look into the institution’s procedures and regulations on professor-teaching assistant relations before you apply.
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When choosing a graduate school, you should keep in mind that this is just like choosing a college or university. It’s important that you consider various factors before you make your choice. Below are some things you need to consider when choosing from different graduate schools.
* Name recognition and school reputation
Getting a graduate degree from one of the top schools in the country will surely increase your chances of getting an excellent and lucrative career. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to enter one of the top schools, although you do have to choose a school that has a good reputation. You should find information regarding the school’s alumni rosters. Try to know more about their occupations, the companies they belong in, and even their salary range. You can also choose a school that has excellent programs in the field you’re interested in.
* Program offerings
One of the most important factors you have to consider when choosing graduate school is the school’s program offerings. Take note of the courses included in the program and how long it would take for you to get your degree. You should also consider whether you want to enroll in a full-time program or part-time program, or if weekend or night classes will be better for you.
* Teaching methods
It’s advisable for you to do some research on what methods teachers use to teach at the graduate schools you’re considering. Doing this will let you know whether the focus is more on research, lecture, field work, or case studies. Knowing this kind of information will help you choose a school that uses teaching methods that best suits your personality and learning style.
* Cost and location
You should also take into account the amount of money you have to spend on your education. In case the fees entailed by studying in the school of your choice are a problem, you can try applying for scholarships or looking for financial aid. It’s also important for you to consider the location of the school and whether you want to study far from home or pick a school that’s located near your community.
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Wondering how you’re going to do well in graduate school when you have a part-time job to attend to on top of that? Well, all it takes is for you to learn how to manage your time wisely. Below are some tips that will help you balance your time so that your studies or job won’t have to suffer.
Organization is key
Organize your things, set your priorities, and know your goals. When you know what you need to do and you plan these, it will be easier for you to deal with your studies and your job. Make sure that your handouts and books are always in order so that you won’t have to keep on looking for them when you need to study. Get a calendar or organizer so that you can jot down your activities, appointments, or deadlines of assignments so that you’re always going to be reminded of what you need to do and when you need to finish them.
Say no to cramming
Don’t wait for the last minute just to do your work. Start early and prepare well. Procrastination may end up pressuring you and giving you stress. So make sure that you don’t waste time and that you start your projects well in advance. Doing this will also give you more room in your schedule for other things in case they come up.
Be aware that emergencies may come up
If you work a part-time job that allows a lot of flexibility regarding working hours, take advantage of it. On days when you don’t have much to do, put in some extra hours at your job so you won’t have to panic and try to squeeze in your job when you suddenly have three important tests on the same day.
Put a limit on what you do
Time management does help, but doing too many activities can make you stressed or even make you sick. Make sure that you know which activities you can cut back on so that you don’t end up doing so much more than you can handle. Keep in mind that your health is important and you need to function at your optimum level if you want to succeed in graduate school while still doing your part-time job.
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Taking up graduate school can be quite rough on the wallet. Whether your parents pay for it or you find ways to pay for it yourself, graduate school can cost quite a bundle. Here are some tips on the different ways you can pay for your graduate studies:
Taking the bill by the horns
One of the most obvious options is to face your problem head-on and find a way to pay for your graduate school bills yourself. You can apply for a full-time or part-time job somewhere near school (or on campus) to help you earn some money, save up, and pay for your tuition. Luckily, most graduate schools give you a little breathing room by offering part-time programs and evening classes. This will help you get your schedules straight so you can succeed in both school and work.
Scholarships, grants, and loans
Another option is to seek for funds and other modes of help from other institutions. Your school probably has a scholarship program that you can apply for. Ask your guidance counselor about how the school can help you deal with your tuition. Aside from help from school, many companies, organizations, and foundations also provide financial aid to students. You may be able to get loans, grants, scholarships, or even reimbursement programs.
Tips on financial aid
* If you apply for loans of any sort, be sure that you are aware of interest rates and how much money they will amount to.
* No matter what form of financial aid you apply for, read all of the terms and conditions before signing any papers.
* Consider how you will be paying for your loans once you have finished schooling. This will also help you choose your courses, classes, and career path.
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To make the paper formal while decreasing the opportunity for plagiarism, citation is important in academic writing. The way citation is inserted into the essay and used to provide the sources also show the degree of responsibility a student has. A responsible graduate student will display neatness and accuracy in his or her citations, not just in his or her essay.
Which kind of citation to use
Professors have preferred citation styles. However, some citation styles are already deeply associated with some specified purposes. If your professor does not give explicit instructions, you can always ask for advice on what citation to use. Your professor will most likely tell you that the MLA format is used for arts and the humanities. The APA, on the other hand, is associated with writings on psychology, the social sciences, and education. You can be more flexible with the all-encompassing Turabian style.
To get an idea of how the three citation styles are used, check for examples below:
Sample formats for book sources:
APA – Author 1 Last name, First name Initial., & Author 2 Last name, First name Initial. (Year of publication). Italicized book title. Place of publication (city/state): Name of publishing house.
MLA – Author 1 Last name, First name and Author 2 First name Last name. Underlined book bitle. Place of publication: Name of publishing house, Year of publication.
Turabian – Author 1 Last name, First name, and Author 2 First name Last name. Year of publication. Italicized book title. Place of publication: Name of publishing house.
Sample formats for encyclopedia sources:
APA – Author Last name, First name Initial. (Year of publication). Topic. In italicized name of encyclopedia (Vol. Number, pp. Pages). Place of publication: Name of publishing house.
MLA – Author Last name, First name. “Topic.” Underlined name of encyclopedia. Ed. Name of editor. Number of volumes. Place of publication: Name of publishing house, Year of publication.
Turabian – cited in the text and placed in parentheses (Author Name, “Topic,” in Name of Encyclopedia, Year of publication ed.)
Sample formats for Internet and magazine sources:
APA – Author Last name, First name initial. (Year of publication). Italicized title of article. Retrieved month day, year, from Title of book Website: web address
MLA – Author Last name, First name. “Article title.” Underlined title of book. Year of publication. Place of publication. Day of access month. Year <web address>.
Turabian – Author Last name, First name. Year of publication. Italicized title. Place of publication: Name of publishing house. On-line. Available from Internet, web address, accessed day month year.
For formats used to cite other sources, you can consult sites that focus on academic writing.
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Gone are the days when slots in US graduate schools are are only limited to American students. Nowadays, foreign students can have a shot at any US graduate school. However, this does not mean that you will be automatically admitted to a graduate school. Like all other applicants, you also need to comply with different admission requirements. To help you get by the application process, read the following suggestions on how you can ace graduate school admissions to eventually become a US citizen.
Be serious in your school applications.
Before you apply for any US graduate school, make sure that you have made up your mind. Treat your application requirements with seriousness. Remember that your application requirements will provide the first impression about yourself. Never cram application requirements. Avoid boasting your achievements. This will only give your application a bad review.
Determine what and where you want to study.
Ask yourself why you want to study in the US. Doing so will give you an idea of your purposes. Review your interests. As much as possible, apply for a course that you like. Identifying your career path will also make deciding for a course easier.
Research about the schools where you want to study. Read articles and attend forums about them. Try to estimate your living expenses. This way, you can have the opportunity to find ways to get an income.
Work hard
Remember that being admitted to a graduate school is just the start of your journey. Do your best at all times. Maximize your stay at the graduate school. If your schedule will permit, join organizations that can help you enhance your knowledge. If you are not working, try to find ways by which you can practically apply what you have learned in class. Aside from being able to improve you skills, these tips can also be your gateway to brighter career opportunities. In fact, your company can even assist you in your green card application. Having a US graduate degree and extensive graduate school experience will increase you chances of getting a green card. So, treat hard work as your investment.
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If you want quality graduate school education, then you would really need money. This is because dealing with graduate school expenses can be challenging for students, especially for those whose families aren’t earning much. But does this mean that quality graduate school education cannot be accessible to the financially underprivileged?
The answer is NO. With strong motivation, strategic financial planning, and institutions granting financial aid in the form of loans and scholarships, practically anybody can stand a chance in graduate school.
Here are some of the financial aid opportunities available for graduate school students:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Funded by the government, FAFSA is accessible to students of graduate schools participating in the said project. FAFSA applicants are usually evaluated based on factors such as a student’s financial condition and eligibility for aid.
In-house financial aid programs
If you happen to be in a university that is not a participant of FAFSA, you can check out the school’s in-house student financial aid programs. Schools usually offer financial aid opportunities that students can avail of, though such opportunities may depend on the graduate school program that one is enrolled in.
Private schools usually ask for additional requirements such as graduate school admission essays, where students have the opportunity to explain or describe their financial and economic condition. To help you out, there are sample graduate school essays online.
There are some graduate schools that tie-up with other financial aid institutions instead of offering in-house financial aid. Here are some funding organizations that offer financial grants and scholarships to graduate school students:
Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS)
GMS, initially an offshoot of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to give financial assistance to students belonging to racial minorities. It aims to increase these target groups’ representation in different academic disciplines. Granting scholarships since 1999, GMS has already aided more than 12,000 students financially.
American Association for University Women (AAUW)
The AAUW Educational Foundation is a financial aid institution for women of all religions, races, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Ford Foundation
This foundation offers financial grants and scholarships to students of certain graduate school programs in Engineering, History, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, and others.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
This foundation gives grants to graduate school students in the field of public service. They offer up to $30,000 of financial aid, as well as fellowships and leadership trainings.
NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Program
This program is accessible to students of graduate school programs under the fields of Engineering such as Aeronautics, Aeronautical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical and Electric Engineering, and others. NASA ASP beneficiaries are entitled to grants of up to $11,000 in a school year, as well as a yearly stipend amounting to $35,000.
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