Enhancing the EAPS Graduate Program

Designing a series of professional development

workshops

Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of Technology

EAPS Demographics• 38 Faculty

– 12.5% Women --> ~ 16% with current hires coming over the next year

• 160 Graduate Students– 5 educational programs including MIT/WHOI (47%)

– > 95 % in doctoral programs– 46% Women– 32% International Students

• 42 Undergraduates– 4 options to complete the major– 69% Women

BackgroundRECEIVED ADVICE ON: % YES

avoiding plagiarism & violations of the standards of academic integrity.

36.9

searching for a job. 17.90% very satisfied20% dissatisfied

preparing a resume or c.v. 20.0 25% dissatisfied

preparing for a job interview 11.9

ethics and responsible conduct in research

39.1

writing grant proposals 27.1

publishing your work 49.1

EAPS data from the November, 2004 survey of graduate students conducted by the MIT’s Provost Office. ~ 60 respondents

Use of MIT Resources

• Use of Career Services– Frequent: 0%– Occasional: 12.9%– Never: 87.1%

• Quality of Experience

– Excellent/Vry Good: 33%– Good: 33%– Fair/Poor: 33%

The Teaching and Learning Laboratory was not specifically included in the survey. But, 16.4% have taken a course, workshop, or orientation on teaching.

Professional Development Workshops

• A series of workshops and presentations designed to help students make progress in the program and prepare for life as an independent professional.

• Topics will address:– the job search process– communication skills– starting independent research– preparation for teaching

Progress through Graduate Program

• Communication Skills: Micro-teaching presentations

• I know I should read the handbook, but what about: Thesis guidelines, thesis committee, the defense process?

• International Students

Research and Publication

• Publication Issues• Structure of Research Funding: European and U.S.

• Research Ethics and Effective Research

The Job Search

• CV and Cover Letters Workshop• Teaching and Research Statements• Preparing for Job Interviews • Post-doc: yes or no?• Start-up Costs, summer salaries, sabbaticals, etc.

Preparation for Teaching

• Syllabus Workshop• Discussions of TA experience• Creating a Teaching Portfolio