Transcript Communication - Sow well now to reap big later!

Navigating Graduate
School and Beyond:
Sow Well Now To Reap Big
Later
Communication
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Communication
• Oral communication
• Written communication
• Conferences
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Know your material well
•
•
•
•
Prepare and rehearse.
Stay within the allotted time.
Emphasize your key points.
Be prepared for the question/answer session.
Wait for the question to be finished. Repeat the
question. Answer the question in sentences.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Speak to your audience
• Tailor your presentation to the expertise of the
audience.
• Make eye contact.
• Keep your hands still and out of your pockets.
• Speak clearly and slowly.
• Go easy on the humor.
• Engage your audience.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Prepare an effective presentation
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use legible slides.
Use only a few tables and numbers.
Provide your outline.
Include a slide with your title and name.
Avoid walking in front of presentation.
Take communication classes if necessary.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Tips for preparing slides
• Choose a comfortable format and background.
• Ensure the font and color can be seen from the
back of the room.
• Keep each slide uniform.
• Avoid wordiness.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Written communication
• Practice…and practice…and practice.
• Be open to constructive criticism.
• Pay attention to corrected mistakes and learn
from them
• Pattern yourself after a good writer
• Learn to construct a sentence properly
• Write whenever you have the opportunity
• Utilize the campus writing center
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Food for thought
• Prepare a strength/weakness analysis on your
communication skills. Discuss this with your
advisor.
• List specific steps to minimize your weaknesses.
• Identify opportunities for communication and
participate.
• Draw up a one year plan putting yourself in
situations requiring communication.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Conferences
• Conferences are revered and anticipated in
most disciplines.
• Conferences are announced up to a year in
advance.
• Look for conferences with topics in your field.
• Submit an abstract
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Tips on submitting abstract
• Include title, author list, and affiliations.
• Specify oral presentation or poster. Ask for
both.
• Highlights of abstract:
• The work you have already done
• Data sets and methodology
• Any results you have
• Why the work is important
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Attendance and presentation
•
•
•
•
•
Commit to your title and avoid switching focus.
Attend talks that will strengthen your research.
Attend talks that will broaden your research.
Interact with peers and network.
Set aside time to talk to mentors.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Guidelines for reaping benefits from
conferences
• Attend talks that will strengthen your specific
research topics.
• Attend talks that will broaden and enhance your
current research.
• Have fun at the venue.
• Interact with peers from other universities.
Network.
• Talk to some icons in your field.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Benefits of networking
• Meet peers who are doing research in your
field.
• Meet possible collaborators.
• Meet potential mentors.
• Gain ideas to deepen and diversify your
research.
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]
Food for thought
• How can you allocate your time for an effective
experience at a conference?
• What are some strategies for networking with
peers and senior researchers?
• What is your plan of action for follow-up?
• What are your goals from the conference?
• After the conference: What feedback did you
receive and how can you improve your
presentation?
Dr. Sundar Christopher
[email protected]