tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456348657596914237.post1581483134562362973..comments2024-03-28T08:16:02.178-04:00Comments on Eco-Evo Evo-Eco: How to Succeed in Graduate School - Part 1Ben Hallerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17875404974157070805noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456348657596914237.post-43799309067336138772015-03-07T09:55:13.496-05:002015-03-07T09:55:13.496-05:00Thanks for the comments Ben. I guess I would argue...Thanks for the comments Ben. I guess I would argue that most of the pieces advice will serve you well regardless of what you want to do afterward. But, certainly, they were initially motivated from the perspective of a career in research. Although academic jobs are relatively rare, other jobs in research are fairly common. Of course, this doesn't challenge the validity of your point.Andrew Hendryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653724437118653645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456348657596914237.post-28502458025015259082015-03-07T08:33:31.166-05:002015-03-07T08:33:31.166-05:00Given the job market in academia these days, here&...Given the job market in academia these days, here's a different perspective on what is most important to get out of graduate school:<br /><br />http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7541-121a<br /><br />"Some 36,000 people earned science and engineering PhDs in the United States in 2011, but US universities create only around 3,000 tenure-track positions annually."<br /><br />I think every PhD student these days should have a plan B (or a plan A!) that does not involve a career in academia, and should try to make sure that they acquire skills and knowledge that will be useful outside academia. From that perspective, publications and progress in research would NOT be the most important things to get out of your PhD – nor should they be the things that advisors emphasize the most. For success in a career in research, they are undoubtedly the most important thing; but the simple fact is that most of the grad students reading this post will not, in the end, have a career in research. Sorry to rain on the parade, but I think a reality check is needed.Ben Hallerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17875404974157070805noreply@blogger.com