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Strategies for Finishing

Strategies for Finishing. Kathleen Fisher Computer Science Tufts University 2011 Graduate Cohort http://www.eecs.tufts.edu/~kfisher/. A bit about me…. Outline. What is finishing up about? Ten Tips for finishing up Discussion: Ask and answer questions Share anecdotes.

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Strategies for Finishing

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  1. Strategies for Finishing • Kathleen Fisher • Computer Science • Tufts University • 2011 Graduate Cohort • http://www.eecs.tufts.edu/~kfisher/

  2. A bit about me…

  3. Outline • What is finishing up about? • Ten Tips for finishing up • Discussion: • Ask and answer questions • Share anecdotes

  4. What is finishing up? • From: proposal preparation and defense (Ming Lin’s talk) • ……… • ………. • ………. • To: successful thesis defense

  5. What does a thesis look like? • Chapter 1: Introduction • What is the problem? Why is it important? What has been done? What is/are central idea(s) of my approach? How is thesis organized? • Chapter 2: Preliminaries • Define the problem. Introduce terminology and definitions. Discuss basic properties, related research, etc. • Chapter 3: Big idea 1 • ... • Chapter K+2: Big idea K • Chapter K+3: Conclusion • Summarize accomplishments. Discuss future work.

  6. Ten Tips for Finishing up

  7. Tip 1. Take Charge • It is really about you and your thesis. • Examine your motivation: • Good: Value the research and want to move on to next stage • Bad: John finished in 4 years and so must I • Build up your motivation so it will carry you through ups and downs: • Envision positive changes after you finish, things you can do and enjoy doing • Be “active”: • Good: I will finish my thesis by ... • Bad: My thesis will be finished by …

  8. Tip 2. Balance Life and Work • Many demands on your time: • Commitments to family, friends, pets, ... • Sleep and exercise • Working effectively and creatively • Having fun • Choose how to budget your time! • On balance: On most days, you are happy about your personal and work life, engaged and productive at work, have good energy levels, …. • Out of balance: On most days, you wake up tired and low, don’t enjoy your personal relationships, cannot focus at work, …. • Seek help! • Mentors, family, friends, counseling service,….

  9. Tip 3. Leverage your Proposal • Incorporate feedback from proposal defense • Is the plan of work viable? • Does the main problem/theme excite and challenge you? • Identify sub-tasks from proposal: • How many have you solved? • How many need to be completed? • Consider order to tackle tasks: • Dependencies, difficulty, likelihood of failure, range of skills • What if one of them does not work out? Do you have alternatives?

  10. Tip 4. Leverage Committee • Why? • Members can help you finish • Some will be references in your job search • Do members have relevant expertise? • If not, talk to your advisor and consider adding someone (add early, not late) • Is there a serious misfit with a committee member? • If you advisor were to leave could someone on your committee co-chair or take over?

  11. Tip 5. Build a work plan • Set a target graduation date: (eg, 6/2012) • Working backwards, create master plan of milestones and target dates (1 page). • Thesis submission date and defense date (must meet graduate school deadlines) • Research and chapter completion dates • 1 key result = 1 major publication = 1 chapter • Allow time for committee review, job search, delays and setbacks. • Discuss with advisor, mentor, recent graduates …

  12. Tip 6. Manage Your Time • Each term, make a plan for the term. • Base term plan on master plan • Factor in conference deadlines, etc. • Build on strengths: eg., reward writing with coding, etc. • Assess progress bi-weekly & at term end. • If straying from plan, analyze why • Adapt schedule if necessary • Discuss with advisor • Re-assess and adjust master plan • Don’t panic: change is inevitable here!

  13. Tip 7. Start Writing! • Good writing is slow • Budget time and don’t procrastinate!! • Leverage conference papers • Use consistent notation and definitions. • Adapt • paper intro → thesis intro & chapter preamble • paper conclusion → chapter & thesis conclusion • Rewrite for thesis audience: different from paper addressing experts in field • Major revision is common • Incorporate feedback from thesis advisor and committee members.

  14. Tip 8. Engage in your Job Search • Which career path is for you? • Academia: research vs teaching emphasis • Industry: development or research lab • Prepare your application • Key: Research and teaching statements; make them succinct and accessible • Prepare for your interviews • Practice your talk (also good for defense) • Show breadth & focus of key contributions • Discuss future work in “context” • Keep working on your thesis: Be “interrupt driven;” do not “busy wait.”

  15. Tip 9. Prepare for the “Next” • Take on research leadership roles • Find a junior student to work with • Mentor her/him in research project • Could lead to co-authorship on new papers • Travel to conferences • Seek opportunities to present your work • Prepare and give top quality presentations • Network with conference attendees • Prepare and ask smart questions • Seek out and use resources • Practice talks, mock interviews, etc • Technical writing workshops

  16. Tip 10. Prepare for Defense • Attend related defenses (area, advisor) • Study question styles • Practice defense presentation • Ask audience to pose tough questions • Prepare your committee • Ensure they understand your contributions • Get feedback before the defense • Address serious concerns before defense with the help of your advisor • Defend but do not go on the offensive • Go to your defense rested and refreshed

  17. Everyone gets a little stressed, it’s OK!

  18. Proposal defense Starting to write Another result, another chapter! Too much to do stress Expect & Manage Ups & Downs Thesis is complete & You are on your way! Job interviewinvitations • Summary: • Develop yourself • Manage time • Manage mechanics • Communicate with advisor & committee • Don’t hesitate to seek help

  19. Summary of Tips • Take charge • Balance life and work • Leverage your proposal • Leverage your committee • Build a work plan • Manage your time • Start writing! • Engage in your job search • Prepare for the “Next” • Prepare for defense

  20. Questions and Discussion • Things not discussed • Interdisciplinary research, pitfalls and payoffs • Advisor experience or lack thereof • Job search pressures • Unexpected emergencies • The finishing process has many recovery points!! Thanks to PhDComics, Carla Ellis, and Padma Raghavan.

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