Professor identification is a problem that we all deal during the initial stages of a thesis (PhD or Masters) program. The article discusses some of the traits that we should consider in a professor, and what we should try to avoid. Generally, the professors with funding are well known among students :D. But we cannot sit back and judge them on the basis of money. Remember, they might fund your stay, but any professor who ultimately does not mold your future adds little value to your career :(. So, identify the good ones from the bad ones. Of course, money is the important to survive in USA, but we should not forget the big picture in making the correct choice. It is a common saying “actions speak louder than words”, and this is very true in the case of a professor as well.
Professors can have varying attitudes. Some are humble, others are too arrogant, and some are a hybrid in our imagination. The best guys are generally very humble and treat you with lots of respect. The good ones can be arrogant as well, but in the end their output is good which is important for you.
Here are some more points to ponder:
To be Preferred Types: Such guys are good teachers and/or researchers. Of course, not everyone can teach that well, but research is definitely a solo effort and we can observe their results in the form of publications in top journals, conferences and workshops. These guys love to be questioned and try to find answers – whether in a class or in a group meeting. Of course, you can expect them to have a curious mind and question you as well – but this only indicates their thought process. They might sound like tough ones, but ultimately they will channelize you in a direction that will result in good results from your end. During classes, you will find an ease of understanding a difficult subject, rather than just power point presentations and monotonous speaking.
To be avoided Types: In order to inquire about such guys, do not ask their students, as no one will tell you the truth in particular. The litmus test of such professors are excuses “meet my PhD student for any technical discussion”, “lack of interest in subject during teaching and answering technical queries”, “Always advertising their class where score A is highly probable”, “confuse students with arguments in order to avoid technical queries”. Another simple way of identifying such guys is the publication list where they are first authors – observe the level of problem they have solved and the level of conference/journal/workshop where their article was published. It shows how enthusiastic they were during their days when they acted as first authors. Also, their past students would have produced low standard of results in their thesis – and they would have passed them by ganging up with other professors – who have similar principles. Also, if a professor has a hierarchy of students (PhD handling Masters – so and so forth), be alarmed of such managers, as communication with such professors is very limited and their contribution to your work will be less.
To put in a nutshell, try to identify a person, by observing his/her history, through interactions (asking questions), their dedication towards critiquing your work. Good professors are highly probable in high ranking universities – So, try to make it to better ranking universities. Also, make sure that your comfort level and interests should fall in place with the professor. Do not become an easy target and get exploited :mad:. Never try to fake an interest, just be truthful and give your best shot :cool:.
We hope, you will make the right choice and find a professor who has 1) common interests with you, 2) great attitude towards research and teaching and 3) brings the best out of you.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
How to approach Professors ?
One of the tough ones is to find a professor who can fund your stay at a US university. Some students try the following: Attract a professor during his/her classes by wearing appropriate colorful clothes and scent – sometimes displaying their soft and tight tissue for different reasons - this might not be best strategy, if the professor is color blind or allergic to scent (:P), or just too old (‘menu-paused’) to realize your potential – the rest, I leave it to your imagination - keep reading.
For all good reasons, your chances of funding decrease from PhD to MS and so and so forth. One has to realize that the source of funding opportunity will define the opportunity. For example, funding agencies such as the NSF identify the money for potential PhD students; as compared to industry funding that can support both MS and PhD students. Any professor will always prefer PhD student over MS for funding since the number of PhD under him is more beneficial for his/her career. So, if you are a MS student make sure that you kidnap any potential PhD students (: P). However, some professors still consider talented MS students for funding in the absence of PhD students. Once you have decided on a professor, try to have a plan of action. Now comes the part where you analyze the person in terms of research interests, expectations, attitude (ego issues etc), and funding opportunity. Of course, going to a professor who has low chances of funding is not the best option, but exceptions with professional suicidal tendencies (interest based) are always there. The basic idea is to market you, and that you will add value and experience to his/her career. As a strategy, always, 1) be as polite as possible in emails 2) No signs of desperation for funding 3) Satisfy his/her ego if necessary 4) Show enthusiasm for research topics by asking questions and responding back immediately or with follow-ups 5) Always be punctual during meetings. In the worst case, professors might tell you to take his/her class and show good performance (like A or A+). Many of them use this strategy since they want to see your potential. However, some of the lucky and brilliant students come with high GRE – High GPA during UNERGRAD – research publications – recommendations. Once a professor trusts you – they will hire you!
I have come across cases where the professor was a broker for an industry project and gave RAs to students. In such cases, the student is obliged to do a thesis under the professor which comes with the job. Such an option can be ok, if you are ok. Some professors are really choosy for students, since they want to maintain their standards – a pattern observed at high ranked universities.
Please do not try to impersonate your interest or as a PhD student for a funding opportunity – it gives you a hard time emotionally, professionally and spoils your image and reduces the chance of funding for others – especially those who are from your country. Just be genuine and be true to yourself, and things will fall in place.
For all good reasons, your chances of funding decrease from PhD to MS and so and so forth. One has to realize that the source of funding opportunity will define the opportunity. For example, funding agencies such as the NSF identify the money for potential PhD students; as compared to industry funding that can support both MS and PhD students. Any professor will always prefer PhD student over MS for funding since the number of PhD under him is more beneficial for his/her career. So, if you are a MS student make sure that you kidnap any potential PhD students (: P). However, some professors still consider talented MS students for funding in the absence of PhD students. Once you have decided on a professor, try to have a plan of action. Now comes the part where you analyze the person in terms of research interests, expectations, attitude (ego issues etc), and funding opportunity. Of course, going to a professor who has low chances of funding is not the best option, but exceptions with professional suicidal tendencies (interest based) are always there. The basic idea is to market you, and that you will add value and experience to his/her career. As a strategy, always, 1) be as polite as possible in emails 2) No signs of desperation for funding 3) Satisfy his/her ego if necessary 4) Show enthusiasm for research topics by asking questions and responding back immediately or with follow-ups 5) Always be punctual during meetings. In the worst case, professors might tell you to take his/her class and show good performance (like A or A+). Many of them use this strategy since they want to see your potential. However, some of the lucky and brilliant students come with high GRE – High GPA during UNERGRAD – research publications – recommendations. Once a professor trusts you – they will hire you!
I have come across cases where the professor was a broker for an industry project and gave RAs to students. In such cases, the student is obliged to do a thesis under the professor which comes with the job. Such an option can be ok, if you are ok. Some professors are really choosy for students, since they want to maintain their standards – a pattern observed at high ranked universities.
Please do not try to impersonate your interest or as a PhD student for a funding opportunity – it gives you a hard time emotionally, professionally and spoils your image and reduces the chance of funding for others – especially those who are from your country. Just be genuine and be true to yourself, and things will fall in place.
How to decide on a PhD topic ?
Choosing a PhD topic is tough as it is a decision that makes you happy and motivated to dedicate 4-5 years of your life to a given subject. PhD consists of a research problem that has not been solved before. Different people might work on the same problem, or you may the lucky one who has no competition. To identify a research problem is a problem in itself, since we all want it to be good and its applications must be far reaching. Students are very confused since only few of them know what they really like and where they want to invest their time. Here are some points:
Practicality: Choosing a topic that has potential applications in the industry is very important. For example, networking topics related to wireless networking protocols applied to mobile ad hoc networks. Any topic we pick needs to have a potential application and this defines the practicality of our work. In fact, some of the startup(s) in the bay area were PhD topics that got converted into business ideas. Choosing a topic with too much theoretical work might land you trouble, especially when you desire a job in the industry. Of course, the academia is a different place where some elegant theoretical results will land you with a good. The bottom line is that all topics have potential applications in present and future. Of course, some of the weirdoes might reinvent the wheel with applications in the past, and might be planning to destroy the earth and save their application for such a future.
Toughness: The title sounds like testing the strength of a metal it is actually your metal only. If you plan to pick up a PhD topic which is hard to solve, life might become quite frustrating and you might end up dropping out of the PhD program, and sadly called a PhD dropping. Save yourself from being booed, and be a winner. Try to analyze your abilities and to what extent you can solve. For example, some of us can solve computer graphics problems or networking problems etc. Another important factor to consider is the speed at which you can solve a given problem. Harder the problem, more time it will take, possibly someone with more gray cells might hump you technically. So, be sure to take a topic that you can solve in a time frame that gives you lead in the scientific world.
Adviser Advisory: Choosing a good adviser is important as he/she will guide you in the process of your PhD. This will include – PhD topic selection, criticism of your work, how to write excellent research papers, and may other things depending on your subject. Make sure that the professor is technically sound, has common interests with you, and has a good research track record. Try to do a thorough analysis of your professor by asking questions and analyze his/her ability to answer them in person or in class. It should not become the case where you joined the professor for funding reasons and later repent your decision or always think of bailing out of the PhD program.
It is a very tough decision as it has so many factors. But I am sure all of us find a way out.I hope these points are of some help! Post your PhD related query to start meaningful discussions here.
Good luck!
Practicality: Choosing a topic that has potential applications in the industry is very important. For example, networking topics related to wireless networking protocols applied to mobile ad hoc networks. Any topic we pick needs to have a potential application and this defines the practicality of our work. In fact, some of the startup(s) in the bay area were PhD topics that got converted into business ideas. Choosing a topic with too much theoretical work might land you trouble, especially when you desire a job in the industry. Of course, the academia is a different place where some elegant theoretical results will land you with a good. The bottom line is that all topics have potential applications in present and future. Of course, some of the weirdoes might reinvent the wheel with applications in the past, and might be planning to destroy the earth and save their application for such a future.
Toughness: The title sounds like testing the strength of a metal it is actually your metal only. If you plan to pick up a PhD topic which is hard to solve, life might become quite frustrating and you might end up dropping out of the PhD program, and sadly called a PhD dropping. Save yourself from being booed, and be a winner. Try to analyze your abilities and to what extent you can solve. For example, some of us can solve computer graphics problems or networking problems etc. Another important factor to consider is the speed at which you can solve a given problem. Harder the problem, more time it will take, possibly someone with more gray cells might hump you technically. So, be sure to take a topic that you can solve in a time frame that gives you lead in the scientific world.
Adviser Advisory: Choosing a good adviser is important as he/she will guide you in the process of your PhD. This will include – PhD topic selection, criticism of your work, how to write excellent research papers, and may other things depending on your subject. Make sure that the professor is technically sound, has common interests with you, and has a good research track record. Try to do a thorough analysis of your professor by asking questions and analyze his/her ability to answer them in person or in class. It should not become the case where you joined the professor for funding reasons and later repent your decision or always think of bailing out of the PhD program.
It is a very tough decision as it has so many factors. But I am sure all of us find a way out.I hope these points are of some help! Post your PhD related query to start meaningful discussions here.
Good luck!
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