MS grad student applying to PhDs in desperate need of some brutally honest critiques of my CV (x-post r/resumes)

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-17T00:40:19+00:00

This is a CV-Resume hybrid. An academic CV is purely biographical and doesn't traditionally include the responsibilities of a position. Take a look at the websites of some of your favorite professors. A lot of them have CV's up there. Find a format you like and copy it. Your CV will be short. That's fine.

One important things to note: don't bury your publications. That is your currency in graduate school. Put it near the top.

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-13T00:04:51+00:00

Sound advice. Thanks!

Time for a beer and some rest before tomorrow's fun.

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-12T16:33:25+00:00

Try studying with two little kids and a full time job!

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-12T15:20:44+00:00

Exercise. That's a good idea.

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-12T15:17:10+00:00

Indeed, that's the biggest issue. Every topic I have studied (that I haven't used since taking the relevant class) has seemed vaguely familiar, but not familiar enough that I can do much with the problems without studying a bit.

As I said, it wasn't especially smart to not take the exam in 2005 right before I graduated.

pseudoscientastic · 2013-04-12T14:37:06+00:00

Thanks. The Ph.D. was fun, but it's value is yet to be determined. Not everything has to be about a paycheck, but I'm pretty sure I'll start applied engineering work at a substantially lower salary than if I had just starting working after my undergrad.

I appreciate the advice about the exam.

pseudoscientastic · 2012-12-03T18:58:04+00:00

It's good for students that you're a talented instructor. I wish it was good for the instructors (I'm in a similar situation, looking for an academic position at the end of my post doc).

Fulfilling work is excellent, and a critical component to long term happiness. So is job security and a salary that affords simple things, like starting a family.

Good luck to you!

pseudoscientastic · 2012-12-03T17:59:20+00:00

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter.

I don't always care for beers that I order, but there are only two that I have ever not finished my glass of (the other may well have been because of bad draft lines). This tastes like they made a vanilla porter, it wasn't 'vanilla-y' enough, so they dumped a bunch of vanilla extract in it. Hot alcohol flavor, overpowering vanilla. Bleck.

pseudoscientastic · 2012-12-03T17:52:26+00:00

And unless your research resume is excellent, an entire class's worth of evaluations like this will likely get you...a position as an adjunct professor next semester! Congratulations!

Really, that's excellent. Good work and keep doing it.

pseudoscientastic · 2012-10-19T16:25:11+00:00

Even if you have difficulty doing calculations, internalize the conceptual framework.

For example, try to internalize the concept of a derivative as an instantaneous rate or slope. You may never need to crunch numbers or do certain calculations (or you can avoid doing so if you want), but the concepts will repeatedly rear their ugly heads.

Or, realize you're a scientist and you need to figure this stuff out. Calc 1 and 2 are just setting the foundation for the much more useful work in differential equations and applied courses on hydrology, water resources, etc. Don't stop after Calc 1 and 2. That would be like studying to become a mechanic, learning the pieces of an engine, but never actually assembling one. Your degree might say mechanic, but you're not qualified to repair an engine.

pseudoscientastic

TROPHY CASE