Each year since 2021, there have been anywhere between 52,000 and 57,000 research doctoral degrees awarded in the United States. Depending on the field of study, about 10% to 30% of these new graduates will secure a college or university tenure-track position right after completing their programs. That means 70% to 90% of new PhD...

When was the last time you considered why you teach the way you do? A teaching philosophy statement (TPS) is more than an academic exercise—it reflects your goals, values, and priorities as an educator. Whether preparing for the academic job market or just starting as a TA, crafting your TPS can help clarify your approach...

When you think of a PhD graduate, does a plaid shirt with khaki pants come to mind? Well, you missed out. For all you future PhD recipients who don’t relish the publish-or-perish lifestyle but plan to sell your soul for the mighty dollar, I have great news: Career Pathway’s week can show you the way...

Whether given in a literal elevator or at a networking event, an effective elevator pitch can set you up for success. It is a brief, clear, and compelling summary of your experiences, qualifications, and interests that can be delivered in 30-60 seconds (the time span of an elevator ride, hence the name). It is usually...

Welcome back, Highlanders! After a cozy winter break, you may be itching to return to where you left off before the break. Or, maybe you are running far from where you left off before your joyous, restful holiday. I am somewhere between the two. Either way, now is the time to face the new quarter...

Working as an English teacher abroad is an incredible opportunity. You’re experiencing different cultures, improving your language skills, and being paid to be a part of that city’s academic community. But, if you’re looking for another job or a raise, you’ll probably encounter the TESOL barrier. For those in the English-teaching circuit, the TESOL certification...

Professional associations or societies are some of the oldest institutions adjacent to U.S. universities. The oldest society dates back to 1660 (Jorgensen, 2017). They are inextricably linked to knowledge production and scholars' professionalization process. Some associations or societies are old; some are new. Some are big (in the thousands), while others are small and intimate...

A mid-quarter evaluation is a valuable tool for providing feedback and helping improve the course. This is a time to encourage students to be honest, express what they see as the course's strengths, and acknowledge areas of growth in your teaching. Why do evaluations matter? Here are five ways they benefit you as an instructor/TA...

You made it! All the applications, stressing over acceptance letters, researching and writing, moving to a new city, state, or even country, and now you’re here! But suddenly, you’ve been thrown into the world of teaching! How do you interact with students who may be around your age or maybe twenty years younger than you...

Welcome back, Highlanders! The Graduate Writing Center would like to welcome all our incoming graduate students! At the writing center, we provide graduate students with assistance, feedback, and practical help in improving their writing on multiple levels. Please schedule an appointment and come by if you need any help with the writing process. On another...

Graduate school is hectic. There are endless tasks across several responsibilities that compete for your valuable time. Graduate students may be balancing between: Research Taking classes Teaching classes Volunteering Leadership activities Life outside of graduate school How does someone manage it all? This blog shares my top strategies for a better schedule: prioritization, mindset shifts...

As graduate students, we often find ourselves immersed (and maybe even siloed) in our niche topics. However, the ability to convey our research to a broader audience is crucial—not only for public understanding but also for securing funding, influencing policy, and advancing our careers! This blog will explore various strategies and tools to help you...

The summer is an excellent opportunity to start planning for fellowships, grants, and internship opportunities to provide experience! While we all need to take time to rest, focus on our health, and spend hours reading, writing, and watching TV, there is also plenty of time during the summer to get ahead on future plans for...

Classes in Summer Session A are finally coming to a close. As we finish grading papers, hosting our last office hours, and running our final discussions and labs, it is also time to prepare for the following summer session. The best way to prepare for these new courses is to reflect on our teaching! We...

The GSRC has your professional development in mind this summer. Check out our lineup of events to help you prepare for your career after graduate school or your postdoc appointment.

Summer is meant for beaches, long naps, sitting in a hammock reading a book, and ice cream that melts too quickly. In addition to our favorite summer activities, this break can be the perfect time to develop your writing skills! Summer activities at the Graduate Writing Center are a perfect opportunity for accountability in the...

Producing scholarly work involves reading and synthesizing an often overwhelming amount of information from various sources such as journal articles, books, websites, reports, etc. Having a well-organized set of references from which to pull from can make the difference when writing scholarly papers like essays and manuscripts. Citation management software, also known as reference management...

This past Career Pathways Week was such a treat! In May, we hosted a week of talks, panels, workshops, and clinics in collaboration with the Teaching Assistant Development Program and the University Teaching Certificate Program aimed at earning faculty positions at institutions focused on teaching: community colleges, CSUs, and other state college systems, and liberal...

For context, I’ve been a TA every quarter since Summer 2020 and have served as a teaching assistant for various courses, from introductory-level psychology to more advanced upper-division seminars. Sometimes, I had as few as five students; other times, I had as many as 30 in a single session. Though there are many skills afforded...

Mentorship in graduate school matters because national attrition rates are as high as 50%. At UCR, they hover around 30%. A study conducted in 2018 found that of the students who participated in the Graduate Student Mentorship Program (GSMP), fewer than 10% of mentees had dropped out of graduate school. What is the moral of...