It’s been a historically unusual and unpredictable Spring. As we stagger into the final weeks of the quarter and look ahead to Summer, we’re greeted with new questions: when will my lab reopen? Is it humanly possible to TA 5 days a week on Zoom? When I wear my mask to the beach, will the...
Are you interested in exploring open source and digital publishing options? This blog post will discuss the basics of open source, online publishing and digital publishing tools to help you share your research with a wider audience. While I learned about how these tools might be used in a digital humanities context – through the...
[Image Description: A man confused by a lot of math equations and had a hard time with calculations] Pictured: You, preparing your data analysis Data analysis is the process of cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to then extract information from that data. Nowadays, data analysis is widely used for decision making in many different areas...
Are you interested in exploring a teaching-focused career? Do you want to discuss pedagogical strategies, strengthen job application materials, or socialize with our Teaching Assistant Development Team? Then you’re in luck! There’s still time to register for Teaching Careers Week 2020, a full program of virtual events to support your professional goals with a specific...
One of the underappreciated aspects of graduate school is the entre into teaching. Most of us graduate students came to UCR ready to dive head-first into research and other scholarly pursuits. Yet, the majority of us find ourselves treading water in the deep end of the teaching pool. The challenges posed by teaching inspire brave...
If you're reading this blog, chances are you're either in the middle of lab rotations or you recently completed your lab rotations. Choosing your dissertation lab is a paramount decision; it can have significant consequences on your time in your department, on your time at UCR, and on the remainder of your career. Deciding what...
As a third-year graduate student, TA, and writing center consultant, making the sudden adjustment from working on campus to working at home has been more challenging than I expected. I am typically very organized, focused, and motivated, but I've discovered that there are a lot of distractions in this new work environment that, at times...
There is no denying the fact that the last few weeks have been rough for a lot of us. Between all classes moving online, social distancing physically separating us from everyone but our housemates, and the frustration of trying to find one single roll of toilet paper, our day-to-day can feel a little overwhelming. People...
It’s the start of our collective quarter in quarantine, and none of us really knows what to expect. Some of us are trying to find a respectable corner at home from which to Zoom a discussion section; others are having to rethink research projects that require supplies or travel that the COVID-19 pandemic has now...
Full disclosure: I have never taught an online course. I’m also the kind of instructor who loves getting to know my students. I have everyone create name tags on the first day of class and only after I know everyone’s name by memory do students stop bringing their name tags. I frequently incorporate ice breakers...
With conditions changing by the day due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Spring Break this year feels substantially different. Amidst the switch to online instruction, travel restrictions, school and business closures, and social distancing during a time of uncertainty, this crisis has magnified the precarity and isolation that already characterized many of our positions as graduate...
Hey UCR grad students! Are you looking for summer employment, funding for the next academic year, or just a way to earn some extra money in addition to your TAship? Hoping to expand your administrative skill set? Interested in improving the graduate student experience at UCR? If you answered YES to any (or better yet...
So, you’ve defended your prospectus and advanced to Candidacy. Or maybe, you’re working on your thesis for your MFA program. You, my friend, have completed a giant hurdle. Give yourself a pat on the back! Now that you have moved into the dissertating and/or thesis writing stage, finding the time to just sit down and...
February is almost over! For UCR graduate students, this not only means finals and spring break are coming, but it also means it’s time to start thinking about what getting an internship lined up before the summer starts! If you want to gain some real-life experience, now is the time to get started on the...
The mental image elicited by the word “college” is moving away from ivy-covered red brick buildings and moving towards students on laptops at home in their pajamas. You may have noticed that online education is increasing based on the number of ads for online degrees popping-up while browsing social media or even from taking an...
“How will I know when I am ready?” Is this the question you ask yourself as the clock strikes midnight while you are frantically adding content to your discussion slides after working on it for 6 hours straight? Maybe you have the first draft of your thesis due to your advisor in two days. But...
[Image Description: David Rose, from Schitt’s Creek, exclaims, "I love making connections."] Pictured: What your internal monologue should be before any networking event Networking is a pretty loaded word. What does it mean to network? I suppose when it comes down to it, one can describe networking as creating a system of connections. We can...
Are you looking to broaden your professional network and explore diverse career opportunities in industry, government, and non-profit? Then we have just the event for you! Join GradSuccess on Friday, February 7th for our annual After Grad: Career Pathways Day. This daylong professional development event focuses on job preparation, networking, and post-graduation career exploration. [Image...
What is Big Data, you ask? [Image Description: A grey- and white-haired Husky puppy shaking its head in confusion while lying on the floor.] Pictured: You, ready to learn all about Big Data Despite how it may seem, big data is actually not a brand-new concept. People have been gathering and storing data for quite...
While the first quarter you work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) may feel overwhelming, know that you don't need to worry! There is support--ranging from workshops, campus resources, and professional development events--to help support you as you build your teaching skills. Read on to find out about resources on-campus and online that can help you...
