Proposal Title
Overcoming Challenges at the Start of Graduate Study
Proposal Type
Panel Presentation
Location
Olscamp 203
Start Date
21-10-2017 9:45 AM
End Date
21-10-2017 11:00 AM
Abstract
This discussion-driven presentation will focus on the importance and facilitation of collaborations among graduate students in writing-driven fields. Each of the six presenters will briefly introduce a challenge or opportunity for graduate students, but the bulk of the presentation will be dedicated to interactive discussion among the panel and participants.
The presenters—Bailey, Brian, Randy, Renee, Lena, and Brandie—make up the current first-year cohort for Bowling Green State University's Rhetoric & Writing doctoral program and have been constant collaborators since the start of their program.
Overcoming Challenges at the Start of Graduate Study
Olscamp 203
This discussion-driven presentation will focus on the importance and facilitation of collaborations among graduate students in writing-driven fields. Each of the six presenters will briefly introduce a challenge or opportunity for graduate students, but the bulk of the presentation will be dedicated to interactive discussion among the panel and participants.
The presenters—Bailey, Brian, Randy, Renee, Lena, and Brandie—make up the current first-year cohort for Bowling Green State University's Rhetoric & Writing doctoral program and have been constant collaborators since the start of their program.
Proposal
Presenter 1 introduces the panel and discusses Imposter Syndrome. Most of us experience imposter syndrome, but also seem to worry we’re the only ones having it. Could we deal with imposter syndrome better by acknowledging its presence?
Presenter 2 considers the cultural shift of graduate/doctoral studies. Starting a graduate program, especially a PhD program, often results in quite an intense shift from expectations to realities, no matter how prepared a new student felt before entering their program. How are these cultural shifts addressed, and how could collaboration alleviate them?
Presenter 3 introduces the idea of entering doctoral studies as a second (or third) career move. What challenges and/or advantages do older students carry with them when entering or returning to graduate studies?
Presenter 4 comments on the identity of first generation PhD students. What happens when academia separates you from conventional support systems?
Presenter 5 acknowledges that in the creative writing discipline, the MFA has long been considered the terminal degree needed for a career in academia. How well does the MFA transfer to doctoral studies in Rhetoric/Composition as opposed to Literature/Creative Writing?
Presenter 6 discusses the benefits of working with a writing group or club as a means of encouraging greater quality and quantity of written work, covering both personal and PhD-cohort-based writing groups.
After each presenter has contributed 3-5 minutes of commentary, we will open the floor to collaborative conversation. Panelists will facilitate the discussion and respond to audience questions.