Disclaimer

This is not a scientific presentation.

The only way to

find out how to
do a PhD is to do
one.
Therefore all
advice is useless.

We are ALL still learning!

Advice for Young Jedi Knights …
& PhD Students
Kyriaki Kalimeri
Researcher @ ISI Foundation
@KyriakiKalimeri
kalimeri@ieee.org
Title and many slides are from
Ingmar Weber & Yelena Mejova
Why to do a PhD?
How much is a PhD Wor$h?

census.gov 2014
 No Really,
Why are you Here?
What’s Great About Working in Science
• Freedom
– Set you own agenda, schedule, …
• You get to travel regularly
– To Hawaii, I mean HAWAII, how cool …
• What dress code?
– I’ve seen keynote speakers in pyjamas
• Surrounded by people who never grew up
– Smart kids who love to play
The Dark Side
So, what’s exactly a PhD??
 Reading
By
By
Imagine
the
the
Of
With
time
And,
time
papers
course,
You
A
Once
Until
amaster’s
you
acircle
So,
that
push
you
bachelor’s
you’re
takes
one
finish
don’t
the
dent
finish
at
that
degree
day,
world
the
you
forget
you’ve
elementary
at
contains
high
degree,
boundary
the
tolooks
deepens
the
boundary
boundary,
school,
made
bigger
edge
all
you
different
school,
for
of
isthat
you
gain
of
called
human
agives
picture.
you
human
few
specialty.
know
ato
you
specialty.
focus.
you
away.
years.
knowledge.
know
Ph.D.
aknowledge.
now.
bit more.
a little.

Keep pushing.
Ph.D.

Prepared by MagCloud for kyriaki kalimeri. Get more at mattmight.magcloud.com.

Choosing an Advisor
I know, I know – it’s too late
 You & Your Advisor

Keep your advisor up-to-date, but don’t spam

 You & Your Advisor

Try to phrase suggestions, not only questions.

Be proactive!
 You & Your Advisor

Put SMART goals: Specific, Measurable,

Attainable, Realistic, Timely
Write everything down!
Make sure you are contributing
to science!
 Scientific Writing …in English

• A paper is a story, not a shopping

list..remember the plot!
• Avoid plagiarism
• Get feedback
• READ BOOKS!
Presentation Advice

PRACTICE YOUR TALKS

&
ENJOY THE SHOW!
Be as active as possible.
It is boring if you’re not.
And you’ll see the folks again.
 You & Your Community

Whole environment matters.

Create a positive mood!
Acknowledge
Share knowledge (code/data)
• Remember your goal!

• Learn to say no!

• Don’t forget your hobbies!

• Get out of your topic “bubble”

• Acknowledge anyone somehow involved!

• Be Generous!
Celebrate Your Victories
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is
the key to success. If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful.” - Albert Schweitzer
Be Social!
Keep in Touch
@KyriakiKalimeri
kalimeri@ieee.org

Most original slides are from

ingmarweber@acm.org
yelena.mejova@gmail.com