• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Is there an MBA. graduate, doctorate crowd here on GAF?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Anyone know of some links with tips on writing a good research statement? It is for post-doc applications in the (hard) sciences.

First job applications in a month, eek.
 
Tomorrow I finish first term of MBA. Crazy to look at my OP and see where I was back then. Good luck everyone. Shit is a lot of fun and a lot of work.
 
probably a few more than the number of years of college you need to enter a thread and reply to someone's 18 month old post by calling their discipline dumb because you're too stupid to realize that geography isn't finding place names on a map
Hence why I said I was being dumb :P It's something you'd see someone get ripped on in a comedy show because no one is smart enough to realize what it entails. I was playing the "dumb" character from the show. But it still gave me a chuckle.
Wow looking at these guys so accomplished here makes me feel small with my associates in IT ._.
Are you doing anything with your associates? If so, you're accomplished. I have a BA in Film and Cinematography. Getting a whole lot of use out of it in Illinois....
 
Hence why I said I was being dumb :P It's something you'd see someone get ripped on in a comedy show because no one is smart enough to realize what it entails. I was playing the "dumb" character from the show. But it still gave me a chuckle.
Are you doing anything with your associates? If so, you're accomplished. I have a BA in Film and Cinematography. Getting a whole lot of use out of it in Illinois....

Well I haven't graduated yet, next semester is my last. I really hope to get some great use out of it! I definitely got use out of college but I realized it isn't for me. I commend everyone in this group for being gifted.
 
I've been thinking of pursuing a Bachelor's of Commerce and then going into an MBA program at Ryerson. I want to get a job in Marketing. I already have a bachelor's in Media Studies from 2013 (Aka Journalism, go figure) and I have about 8 years of Sales experience. I want a marketing job creating Ads for consumers as well as one day creating my own business.
 
Lol carnegie mellon. Thats a loooooooong shot. Your first paragraph is definitely true and something i should consider.

Hope everything works out for you at kellogg... Heard only good things about that school.

There are other schools with similar benefits as well.

Obviously I don't know your background that well, but my quant skills (GMAT quant, lack of advanced math in college) were certainly the weakest link in my application, and Tepper gave me an interview. So you never know.

To that end, a CFA can go a long way in proving analytical ability, if you think it's lacking elsewhere in your app. So the two may dovetail nicely
 
So I've been hearing Bioinformatics for a little bit now.

Is it like Stats + Life Sci (e.g. molecular genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, etc...?) + CS?
 
probably a few more than the number of years of college you need to enter a thread and reply to someone's 18 month old post by calling their discipline dumb because you're too stupid to realize that geography isn't finding place names on a map

I was about to say something similar. I love geographers!
 
Are you already in the Master's program, but now you just need to find a lab to conduct research? If so, then yeah, I think you've got the right idea. Send them a very brief (emphasis on brief) email with what you mentioned above. Do you know anyone else in the program that already has a lab? It might be worth talking to them too to see how they found a match. Honestly, I'm sort of surprised a Master's program would accept someone without placing them into a lab first. Seems really weird to me, I guess.

Yes an email is the best way, or asking an advisor if they have any suggestions as well.

It's not clear from your post whether you've already been accepted or not, but if you haven't:
First off, I am deeply sorry. I have been busy with exams and for some reason, I just completely forgot about my post here in this thread. However I truly appreciate your post and advise.

I am currently already in a Master's program, finishing up the course material aspect.
I am planning to mail this to my professor whose lab I am interested in. Pretty much this is a general idea and I will fill in the correct information when it is time.

Hello Dr. X,

My name is iRAWRasaurus and I am currently a graduate student working on a Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience. I am seeking work in a research opportunities and am inquiring on your lab. As I look through the projects of our of NCBP faculty members, your current field of research is the most intriguing. During my undergraduate career, my favorite courses were related to viruses, cell biology, genetics and immunology. I would like to continue my own education and research by learning and working in your lab. May I arrange a meeting to further discuss positions with your research?

Sincerely,
iRAWR
What do you guys think?

Thank you once again.
 
My Master's thesis in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry is due in less than 2 weeks

I'm defending December 7th

I know what hell feels like, AMA
 
First off, I am deeply sorry. I have been busy with exams and for some reason, I just completely forgot about my post here in this thread. However I truly appreciate your post and advise.

I am currently already in a Master's program, finishing up the course material aspect.
I am planning to mail this to my professor whose lab I am interested in. Pretty much this is a general idea and I will fill in the correct information when it is time.


What do you guys think?

Thank you once again.

I think instead of saying "your own education" you should instead say that the "research being conducted in that lab would aid you in your future scientific pursuits". Also perhaps you could limit your favorite courses. It seems like an issue would be raised in trying to figure out why one with a masters in physiology and neuroscience is now interested in Virology, Genetics and so on? May be more specific about why you want that lab.
 
What do you guys think?

"Hello Dr. X, Sure it's Dr. not professor?

My name is iRAWRasaurus and I am currently a graduate student working on a Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience. I am seeking work in a research opportunities and am inquiring on your lab doesn't make sense.

As I look through the projects of our of NCBP faculty members, your current field of research is the most intriguing. During my undergraduate career, my favorite courses were related to viruses, cell biology, genetics and immunology so basically all of biology?.

I would like to continue my own education and research by learning and working in your lab. May I arrange a meeting to further discuss positions with your research?You want to be a research subject? This doesn't mean what you want to say

Sincerely,
iRAWR"

Comments in bold. Sorry if it's harsh. PIs get emails like this all the time. If you can't even get basic English right (I'm assuming you're applying to an English speaking institution) they'll ignore it.


Dear X,

I'm Y and currently studying an MSc in physiology and neuroscience. I am keen to continue my science education, and I am very interested in research. I find your research on [REDACTED] to be fascinating, and have found [REDACTED] to be my favourite subject throughout my undergrad and masters courses, specifically those taught by Z (if he taught a course mention X!).
Would it be possible to discuss any opportunities you have in your lab?

I tried making it better, but I don't know whether you're wanting an internship/summer thing or whether you're applying for a PhD. It's probably a better idea to look for advertised PhDs as they will generally be easier to get into. findaphd.com is where I found mine.
 
"Hello Dr. X, Sure it's Dr. not professor?

My name is iRAWRasaurus and I am currently a graduate student working on a Master of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience. I am seeking work in a research opportunities and am inquiring on your lab doesn't make sense.

As I look through the projects of our of NCBP faculty members, your current field of research is the most intriguing. During my undergraduate career, my favorite courses were related to viruses, cell biology, genetics and immunology so basically all of biology?.

I would like to continue my own education and research by learning and working in your lab. May I arrange a meeting to further discuss positions with your research?You want to be a research subject? This doesn't mean what you want to say

Sincerely,
iRAWR"

Comments in bold. Sorry if it's harsh. PIs get emails like this all the time. If you can't even get basic English right (I'm assuming you're applying to an English speaking institution) they'll ignore it.


I tried making it better, but I don't know whether you're wanting an internship/summer thing or whether you're applying for a PhD. It's probably a better idea to look for advertised PhDs as they will generally be easier to get into. findaphd.com is where I found mine.
Nah its all good. haha its prob a bad cut and paste from earlier since the format was forward to me with addition comments plus I was tired when I posted that :P Its apart of my master's program. I have a year worth of classes follow by a year of research. I need to choice a faculty member from a given list.

I think instead of saying "your own education" you should instead say that the "research being conducted in that lab would aid you in your future scientific pursuits". Also perhaps you could limit your favorite courses. It seems like an issue would be raised in trying to figure out why one with a masters in physiology and neuroscience is now interested in Virology, Genetics and so on? May be more specific about why you want that lab.
Thanks I will look into what you mention. Its a master in physiology and neuroscience, however the department is Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology. There is a variety of full time faculty members each with their own interest.

My Master's thesis in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry is due in less than 2 weeks

I'm defending December 7th

I know what hell feels like, AMA
Good luck!
 
Woo get to join in on this thread!

Just finished up my BA in Media (Communications).

Not much of a degree compared to what some of you guys have studied but I've loved consuming and producing all Media from an early age so it was the go for me :)

I'm currently in the process of submitting applications to job roles I'd be interested in, creating a cover letter specific to each role. I've been applying to various Communication based roles including PR, Account Coordinators, Recruitment, Radio, Television etc.

I feel like I have a good amount of relevant experience. I've interned for a communications agency, was involved as Union delegate with a Union, put in a few years of sales and customer service roles and have an on-going volunteer position at a community Radio station.

Was head hunted on linkedin for a career in recruitment. Discussed it further with their HR and it does sound interesting. Being a sales based role I'm of course a bit cautious and will ask a lot of questions. I definitely don't want to start on anything below 50k p.a base for a sales role as I could easily earn that much in a menial customer service role. Anyone have any opinions in a job in recruitment?

Also I wanted to ask if anyone who feels they are competent at resumes could have a look over mine?

I feel I'm still stuck with a resume used for applying for retail jobs..
 
Wow you made 50k doing customer service?

I need to move where you are.

Are you going to get your masters in media as well, or are you planning to get a MBA with an emphasis in media/marketing?

Ya salary in customer service in Australia is not bad although cost of living is only rising. Median salary sits at about 45k. I've always kind of had in the back of my head that if all else fails, I'll settle for customer service.

ATM just having finished my undergrad studies, I am looking to get into work as soon as I can rather than looking to jump into further study. I am considering it though, either in Future Journalism or Teaching. Future Journalism depends on my grades this final semester though.

Researching into the recruitment industry sounds a lot like something I'd like to do but I've heard it can be quite a hostile working environment too.
 
ATM just having finished my undergrad studies, I am looking to get into work as soon as I can rather than looking to jump into further study.
Not to shit on you but in that case you don't qualify for this thread yet. :P
But yeah like bunny said 50k doing sales is nuts. I have a phd and I make about 50k.
 
i can't think of any retail (if that's what you mean by customer service) in australia that pays more than 45k other than high fashion labels (e.g. chanel) and the occasional tech store (apple).
 
Not to shit on you but in that case you don't qualify for this thread yet. :P
But yeah like bunny said 50k doing sales is nuts. I have a phd and I make about 50k.

Ahh I misinterpreted Graduate.

It may sound nuts but its not so crazy when you consider rent and houseing pricing in Sydney.

i can't think of any retail (if that's what you mean by customer service) in australia that pays more than 45k other than high fashion labels (e.g. chanel) and the occasional tech store (apple).

Definitely not retail. Financial institutions, Goverment Services, large organizations etc. Mainly call centres but also in service centres. I was fortunate in having a good network when I was 19/20.

Anyway Ill show myself out :P I dont quite qualify here yet! Maybe in the future!

Later educated brahs
 
I'n still in undergrad but I'm hoping to get into a part time MBA program right after graduation just to check a box in my resume a lot earlier.
 
Woot woke up and got an acceptance email from a post doc research opportunity program next year. Hope I can find a match and a lab with funding so I can do a post doc at a NIAID lab. (chronic/allergic asthma or airway inflammation)
 
Woo get to join in on this thread!

Just finished up my BA in Media (Communications).

Not much of a degree compared to what some of you guys have studied but I've loved consuming and producing all Media from an early age so it was the go for me :)

I'm currently in the process of submitting applications to job roles I'd be interested in, creating a cover letter specific to each role. I've been applying to various Communication based roles including PR, Account Coordinators, Recruitment, Radio, Television etc.

I feel like I have a good amount of relevant experience. I've interned for a communications agency, was involved as Union delegate with a Union, put in a few years of sales and customer service roles and have an on-going volunteer position at a community Radio station.

Was head hunted on linkedin for a career in recruitment. Discussed it further with their HR and it does sound interesting. Being a sales based role I'm of course a bit cautious and will ask a lot of questions. I definitely don't want to start on anything below 50k p.a base for a sales role as I could easily earn that much in a menial customer service role. Anyone have any opinions in a job in recruitment?

Also I wanted to ask if anyone who feels they are competent at resumes could have a look over mine?

I feel I'm still stuck with a resume used for applying for retail jobs..

I can look at your resume. I work in finance but support our HR teams a lot so I can help you out.
 
Come to the office to discuss the offer..? That's something a smaller, local firm would do. You should have gotten the offer via phone and then an e-mail with the offer letter. There's no negotiation for first years with no experience. Which one gave you the offer.
 
Oh. You didn't get b4? This is all campus recruiting right? Your school should have a designated date agreed with the firms that all offers need to be given by so you have time to contemplate them all. They can't force you to decide before that date.
 
Yeah it's a small local firm, which is why I'm wondering why they'd do this.

I got the offer first via a phone call, and they said they'd email the offer letter this week.. but now they want me to come in and discuss the details.

I have no idea what it means! I thought it would be no negotiation (regardless of firm size) because I'm a fresh grad with no experience... so I'm not sure what to expect.

It sucks because I have another interview this week and they said I'd hear back by Friday, so now I'm hoping the first firm isn't going to try and pressure me to sign right away? I'm not sure what the etiquette is about asking about how much time I have to make a decision. TBH I'd be happy to go with the local firm. One of my accounting friends suggested I just sign and then renege if this interview hits, but the upcoming interview's for an intern-to-full time (albeit a much larger name) so I feel like I'd almost rather just go with a full time offer because safety.

Plus, burning bridges sounds bad. But, they insist the big name is better, even an internship, and I should do what's best for me. ..... it sounds horrible. I really don't know. I don't have any grand ambitions to become a partner or CFO of a Fortune500... exit ops isn't really my thing, I'm just looking for a stable job that pays enough.

Personally I would tell them straight out that you want a few days because you have other offers coming in. You want to let them know you have some leverage, because they may increase the offer. If they press, just say "I'm sure you can understand that as a professional I would like to weigh my options before coming to a decision."

There is an expectation of some professional courtesy in the hiring process. If a company is not willing to give you a couple days to consider their offer, they are probably trying to low-ball you and are not a place you want to work.

Actually I think it's a good idea to ask for some time even when you are 100% sure you will take the job, because the response can give you a clue on how much room you have to push in negotiation.
 
No one here can make a decision for me but I just need to vent a little.
I graduated two months ago. Got offered a PhD position in my country, quite far away but I know some people there (it was the 2nd position I interviewed for). The research group and supervisor seem good, but I'm not sure about the project itself because it's a bit different from what I studied in my masters. Maybe I'd like it but I really don't know. It didn't really light a fire in me, but on the other hand what sounds cool isn't always what's fun to work on. I have to decide by the day after tomorrow. Worse, I have another interview next week for something I think seems more interesting and that wouldn't require me to move (for good and bad), but then I'd be saying no to a secure position for a chance at another one. Fuuuck.
 
Would it be tacky just to tell them that I have some other offer letters coming in this week and I'd like to review all of them first? Is it polite to say that after seeing the details I'd like until the end of the week to review my options?

I'm actually just wondering how long I can wait for them. I know that the B4, for example, lets us have until the 26th to make a decision, but they're not starving for candidates so it'd be easy to get a replacement. I understand the smaller firms don't have that luxury so I'm just wondering how long is too long to ask for a local place.

(and also, what should I expect at this one-on-one meeting???)

I didn't see this reply, so maybe your situation is already resolved, but no, it is not tacky to say that you have other offers that you want to review. Especially when you are a graduating university student, that is to be expected from a quality candidate.

The way I would encourage you to view the situation is that by the time you receive an offer, the company is signaling that they want you. They are not doing you a favor; that is the most important thing to remember. They think that you are going to be more valuable to the company than the other candidates they interviewed and didn't extend offers to. Unless they have some sort of emergency hiring need, they are not going to pass on you and go to a less qualified candidate just because you ask for 1-2 weeks to decide. It's just not smart business. There is a lot of risk involved in hiring a new employee because of all of the overhead of the hiring process and training the employee, so there is a lot of incentive to get the right person. That is arguably even more important for a small company, because each individual represents a much bigger risk than they would for a large company.
 
Hey guys,

So I am finishing up my NSERC (Canadian sciences funding grant) and just waiting on my references pretty much. My current supervisor is finishing a reference for me this weekend, but my other reference (a professor from undergrad who wrote one of my grad school reference letters) hasn't got back to me since she originally said yes to writing my reference over a month ago. I have sent her a couple emails here and there over the last few weeks with info such as my NSERC draft and my transcript and things like that. I am getting a bit nervous though since the deadline is on the evening of December 1st.

Do you think I should re-send the email invitation to her on Monday? She will likely finish it and everything will be fine but I wish she would respond to my emails since it would help put my mind at ease. It would be a shame to put all this work in and not even be able to submit because of missing one reference.
 
Hey guys,

So I am finishing up my NSERC (Canadian sciences funding grant) and just waiting on my references pretty much. My current supervisor is finishing a reference for me this weekend, but my other reference (a professor from undergrad who wrote one of my grad school reference letters) hasn't got back to me since she originally said yes to writing my reference over a month ago. I have sent her a couple emails here and there over the last few weeks with info such as my NSERC draft and my transcript and things like that. I am getting a bit nervous though since the deadline is on the evening of December 1st.

Do you think I should re-send the email invitation to her on Monday? She will likely finish it and everything will be fine but I wish she would respond to my emails since it would help put my mind at ease. It would be a shame to put all this work in and not even be able to submit because of missing one reference.

Almost everyone goes through this stress, I went through it with my SSHRC proposal last year. It's better to nag them repeatedly then it is to miss the deadline, even though it feels frustrating. This is part of their job, it's not a favour they're doing you. Professors are required to write letters of reference.
 
Almost everyone goes through this stress, I went through it with my SSHRC proposal last year. It's better to nag them repeatedly then it is to miss the deadline, even though it feels frustrating. This is part of their job, it's not a favour they're doing you. Professors are required to write letters of reference.

Yeah, good points! If I don't see anything from her this weekend I will resend the invitation and stuff Monday morning.
 
Hey guys,

So I am finishing up my NSERC (Canadian sciences funding grant) and just waiting on my references pretty much. My current supervisor is finishing a reference for me this weekend, but my other reference (a professor from undergrad who wrote one of my grad school reference letters) hasn't got back to me since she originally said yes to writing my reference over a month ago. I have sent her a couple emails here and there over the last few weeks with info such as my NSERC draft and my transcript and things like that. I am getting a bit nervous though since the deadline is on the evening of December 1st.

Do you think I should re-send the email invitation to her on Monday? She will likely finish it and everything will be fine but I wish she would respond to my emails since it would help put my mind at ease. It would be a shame to put all this work in and not even be able to submit because of missing one reference.

Hell yeah you should nag! Give them a call even. You gave her over a month's time so there's no excuse for her to fail to write you the letter. I've been through this experience as well. It's a major pain in the ass.
 
Hell yeah you should nag! Give them a call even. You gave her over a month's time so there's no excuse for her to fail to write you the letter. I've been through this experience as well. It's a major pain in the ass.

Well I am actually in Toronto (where I went to undergrad) until Monday night so maybe I will even stop by her office and say hi on Monday haha.
 
Well I am actually in Toronto (where I went to undergrad) until Monday night so maybe I will even stop by her office and say hi on Monday haha.

Absolutely do that. If the deadline is coming up really soon and you've sent her a few reminders already with no reply, I personally feel there's nothing wrong with stopping by her office during normal work hours.
 
I admit that I'm not great at math and I'm worried that my math skills will be lacking when I take the GMAT in a couple of years. Are there any specific math courses I should be taking to help prepare me for the math portion of the GMAT?

Thanks.
 
MSc Economics here. Can't wait for semester one to be over in January, so that this constant game of catch up is over.

I've also learnt:
A two year gap from undergraduate to postgraduate isn't a great thing at all!
High school maths in England is woefully lacking, and is no where near formal enough to establish the basics
I should have done A Level maths
My undergraduate didn't half as much mathematics as I believed it did.
This semester is a huge step up, but once I've made it through semester 1, it will be worth it.
 
Never ever saw this thread over here before and it's on page 12. Crazy.

Anyways, I wrapped a dual masters program in 2013. I earned both an MPH and an MSW.

I just took the LSAT, last Saturday and I don't know that I did very well (ran out of time on all the sections with several questions to go - only finished the Logic Games section with time to spare). So I'll continue studying in case I need to retake it in February. If anyone has any advice for me I am definitely listening.

This thread is inspiring!
 
I cant believe that not even nih researches keep their webpages up to date, some havent even updated since 2013, and it makes it such a hassle to find researchers. I might as well just pubmed everyone like Ive been doing.
 
No worries! Note, I went to an average graduate school (solid local reputation, but not outside of the state).

Honestly, I did horribly on the math relative to most people going into competitive, quant-heavy majors (46 or 44). It was the other part that saved me (42), netting a 700. I did that without taking any math classes in the past three years, failing calc a few times, and not knowing how to do things like logs/lns/e (lol). All I needed was up to geometry, and I forgot some of that stuff too.

It really depends on if your schools will be focusing on the quant section or not. You'll probably want to ask the advice of someone that scored 50+ on quant if you are going into a quant-heavy major. I think for most Ph.Ds, you'll have to research, which means you'll have to know or be forced to take higher math... they might expect you to have a better quant score.

For b-schools, tbh afaik they don't really look at quant-only and focus on a holistic application. If you're looking to go to one of the top schools, then you'll have to do way better than me in both sections (and get someone else's advice!). If you're looking to go to an average b-school, my score/advice is acceptable.
Yeah, I'm not looking to go to a top B-school. The field that I work in (consumer product licensing) doesn't require the investment.

I have a pretty decent amount of work experience in the field but I feel grad school will put me exactly where I want to be.
 
I admit that I'm not great at math and I'm worried that my math skills will be lacking when I take the GMAT in a couple of years. Are there any specific math courses I should be taking to help prepare me for the math portion of the GMAT?

Thanks.

GMAT is not that hard, i only prepared for a couple of days and got a 660 (although i just came out of college so my math was not completely rusty). All you have to do is do tests over and over again. Theres websites and videos that will help you go through most of the examples and once you have the pattern down its definitely doable. How many points does your school need? I Think my business school required 600 for the MBA when I did it
 
Anyone have experience applying for post-docs?

I'm looking to start a postdoc next September but I'm a little worried that I've only applied to a few so far. Hasn't been a lot on the job register that is relevant for my background.
 
Anyone have experience applying for post-docs?

I'm looking to start a postdoc next September but I'm a little worried that I've only applied to a few so far. Hasn't been a lot on the job register that is relevant for my background.

Ive been looking since this past summer, thus far applied to two postdoc type preview events, got into one at NIH waiting on one for St Jude, contact ten researchers at different places, got responses from some (though mostly, send us your CV once you have a defense data guess I was too early).
 
I contacted four labs about doing a possible post-doc.

Got invited to four interviews.

One wanted someone right away and I couldn't finish up what I was doing in time.

One I wasn't too interested in after the interview.

Got job offers from the remaining two labs - Vanderbilt University and Mayo Clinic.

Picked the one I liked best. And now I am a post-doc.
 
Anyone have experience applying for post-docs?

I'm looking to start a postdoc next September but I'm a little worried that I've only applied to a few so far. Hasn't been a lot on the job register that is relevant for my background.

Next September is pretty far away - you have time.

But you want as many good offers as you can so you can pick the best one so.....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom