Welcome to the Graduate Student’s Guide! This is our very own podcast where we talk to members of the graduate community about everything you need to know to get through graduate school. We’ve covered topics like writing, funding, mental health, careers, and more for you to discover. Check out some of our previous conversations or jump right in with the latest by clicking on one of the episodes below. You can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify.
Navigating Thesis and Dissertation Challenges: Advice from Experts
March 22, 2024
In this episode, we interviewed Dr. Shelley Hawthorne Smith, an Assistant Professor of Practice and Associate Director of the Graduate Writing Lab. We discussed Navigating Thesis and Dissertation Challenges, and she offered insights that will help you chart a course through the complexities of project data management, writing dilemmas, time constraints, and the climactic defense.
Jennifer Gwasira: Navigating New Horizons from Zimbabwe to Arizona
February 29, 2024
Jennifer Gwasira's interest in the University of Arizona was marked by her passion for languages, which was ignited during her high school cultural exchange experience in Germany.
Greta Pasztor: A Musical Journey from Transylvania to Arizona
February 2, 2024
In this edition, we take you on a musical journey from the heart of Transylvania to the vibrant landscapes of Arizona, featuring the incredibly talented pianist, Greta Pastor. Greta's story is one of passion, dedication, and a harmonious blend of cultures that resonates through her music.
Graduate Center Resources for Career Success with Shawn Nordell
January 26, 2024
Learn about the Graduate Center's treasure trove of workshops, webinars, and other events that support graduate students in their quest for job market readiness and career advancement. We interviewed Dr. Shawn Nordell, the Associate Director of Graduate Career Services at the Graduate Center, who discussed the array of resources available to graduate students.
A Vision for Excellence: Interview with Dean Limesand
January 19, 2024
Learn about Dean Kirsten Limesand's path to leadership, her vision for the Graduate College, and engagement initiatives like Grad Success Messenger and Monthly Donuts with the Dean. This interview was on Oct 25, 2023.
Graduation
May 18, 2023
Tune into a conversation about graduation with Connie Sun, Bethany Kasprzyk, and Sonia Delphin Pérez, who graduated with a master’s degree or a Ph.D. in Spring 2023.
Navigating Academic Conferences
May 4, 2023
Join Karen Zimmerman, Assistant Director and Professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Art, for a discussion about navigating academic conferences and how conference attendees can make the most out of their experiences.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in STEM and the ARCS Foundation
April 21, 2023
Join Neuroscience Ph.D. Student and 2022 ARCS Scholar, Matthew Schmit, for a conversation about interdisciplinary collaboration in STEM and what students thinking of applying to the ARCS Foundation should know.
Community Engagement for International Students
March 29, 2023
Join Fiona Grugan, Senior Program Coordinator for the University of Arizona International Student Services, for a conversation about how international students can get involved with their community, and the benefits they may derive from their experience.
The Graduate and Professional Student Council
March 16, 2023
Kelli Lycke, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences GPSC representative, explains what the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) is, how it can help graduate students, and how graduate students can get involved.
The Power To Choose: Fátima Corona del Toro and Orchestral Conducting
March 2, 2023
Orchestral conducting chose Fátima Corona del Toro. Now, it's her responsibility to choose the music.
Disability in Graduate School
Feb 15, 2023
Join for us for a discussion with Sarrah Hannon, Ph.D. student in the University of Arizona’s Pharmacology and Toxicology program, about navigating graduate school with a disability.
Public Speaking
February 1, 2023
Dr. Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, discusses how researchers have a responsibility to share what they’ve learned with the public, how to condense complex information into a comprehensible story, and what role an audience plays in a presentation.
Eco Systems: Joona Mikkola and Environmental Tech
January 19, 2023
Ecological Economist and University Fellow, Joona Mikkola, tells us about the journey that led him to the helm of his own climate tech startup, SoilWatch, and the change he hopes to effect after finishing his Ph.D. at UArizona.
Funding
December 8, 2022
Join us for a conversation with the Graduate Center’s Graduate Assistant for Fellowship Support, Bethany Kasprzyk, about how to find funding in graduate school. We talk about internal and external funding, application timing, and workshops and resources available to students who want to make their applications the best that it can be.
Mental Health
December 1, 2022
Ivette Merced, PhD student in Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies at the University of Arizona, shares some advice about mental health for graduate students. We talk about the human side of graduate school, work/life balance, and mentorship. We also talk about the first steps students can take to change harmful thinking patterns and encourage positive growth.
Careers Outside of Academia
November 3, 2022
We talk to the Graduate Center’s Career Development Graduate Assistant, Kelsey Hanson, about how to tell if academia is the right place for you, how to transfer your skillset to the wider job market, and how to find a fulfilling career path.
Graduate School for International Students
October 3, 2022
We sit down with the Graduate Center’s Communications and Outreach Graduate Assistant, Anesu Samuel Masango, M.D., to talk about how to deal with language barriers, homesickness, and other challenges that may face international graduate students.
Writing
September 21, 2022
Join the Graduate Center’s Graduate Assistant for Special Projects, Sedona Lee Heidinger, to learn about some strategies you can use to improve your writing during graduate school and about getting support from a writing community.
Imposter Syndrome
September 2, 2022
Earl Lee, the Director of Training Initiatives at the University of Arizona, talks about how to recognize and overcome imposter syndrome.