Hello PhD

How many times have you said “I wish I had known!” or “Why didn’t they teach us this in school?” If you’re a graduate student, you’ve probably said it a lot. For some reason, from ...

Sarah had achieved her dream. With a PhD in Physics, she had accepted a new position as a Theoretical Physicist. But as the months wore on, she started to feel overwhelmed and depr...

This week, we dig into the mailbag to answer your questions! What’s in a Name? We start with an email from Tegner about what happens when your department changes its name before yo...

When Dr. Kenneth Gibbs talks about diversity and inclusion in the sciences, it’s not just a cause célèbre. It’s personal. “For those of you who don’t know me, I am a Black man. A d...

What makes two PhDs who escaped from grad school years ago want to revisit all the highs and lows of their training?  Short answer: Beer! But the long answer: Grad school is no cak...

You keep sending questions, we keep answering them! Take My Advice In our last mailbag episode, we noted that ‘comprehensive exams’ or ‘prelims’ varied not only by University but e...

In March 2020, the world shut down. International borders were sealed. Businesses shuttered. Schools locked their doors and students were sent home to learn ‘remotely.’ At the same...

The mailbag is overflowing, and it’s time to answer YOUR questions. First up is Leslie, whose summer internship was cancelled by COVID. Now it’s not clear whether a fall applicatio...

There are two conflicting truths for many early-career graduate students: The mentor you choose is vitally important, and can impact your ability to complete a PhD and your career ...

As protesters march in the streets, you’ll hear calls to “Defund” or “Disband the Police.” These advocates argue that tweaks and training programs will never be enough to meaningfu...

Have you ever lamented the fact that there isn’t some kind of instruction book to help you navigate your scientific training? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone explained how to choose...

COVID-19 is a wildfire burning its way around the planet. Its impacts are devastating to nearly every aspect of our modern lives: loved ones lost, economies destroyed, and plans pu...