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A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers (2001 Edition) by Richard Nelson Bolles Icon 29 Gnu Emacs Manual by Richard M. Process: A Student's Guide to Graduate School in the Sciences by 45 Dale F. Is Not Enough: A Guide to Survival in Science by Peter J. Feibelman * 59 Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences by Robert V. Our Customers' Advice See what customers recommend in addition to, or instead of, the product on this page. Today, there are a handful of excellent guides and handbooks--full of the sort of advice that saves time, reduces anxiety, and helps students get where they want to go. I am pleased to report that the latest entrant to this group of books is outstanding. Process is the most comprehensive guide to date about graduate school in the sciences. Process offers the essential guidance that students in the biological and physical sciences need to get the most out of their years in graduate school. Drawing upon the insights of numerous current and former graduate students, this book presents a rich portrayal of the intellectual and emotional challenges inherent in becoming a scientist, and offers the informed, practical advice a "best friend" would give about each stage of the graduate school experience. What are the best strategies for applying to a graduate program? What steps can I take now to make myself more "employable" when I get my degree? Headlined sections within each chapter make it fast and easy to look up any subject, while dozens of quotes describing personal experiences in graduate programs from people in diverse scientific fields contribute invaluable real-life expertise. Special attention is also given to the needs of international students. Read in advance, this book prepares students for each step of the graduate school experience that awaits them. Read during the course of a graduate education, it serves as a handy reference covering virtually all major issues and decisions a doctoral candidate is likely to face. Process is the one book every graduate student in the biological and physical sciences can use to stay a step ahead, from application all the way through graduation. It covers most basic topics such as choosing a type of school, applying, preliminary exams, comps, thesis work, etc. Of course each school does these things slightly differently, but the main points are there and the authors do a good job of pointing out where differences between programs are likely to turn up. This book also explains things that graduate programs aren't likely to advertise such as using students as 'cheap labor' and what things to look for in an advisor other than interesting research. This is a fun to read honest book, and the anecdotes from current and past graduate students are the best part. I enjoyed reading them because so many of the same things have happened to me, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone. I wouldn't say that I received any great insights from the book because I had some experience with academic labs before I applied to graduate school and had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. I found it a little calming to read about others' experiences as I was waiting to get started. I think most students who apply to graduate school have already spent much time in labs with current graduate students so this might not be that useful to them as practical advise; My parents had no idea what graduate school is like, and the fact that I'm at school all day and only go to class for an hour baffles them to no end. Reading this book helped them to understand the structure and goals of graduate school. Though I still don't think they understand journal club. This book gives great insight into what graduate school is really like. However, I did this without the forewarnings about the pitfalls, disclosures about the traps, and inadequate information about the hazzards of graduate school. Happily, this book covers not only practically all of these problems, but gives very helpful advice about how to deal with them. A large fraction of the book quotes material written by other graduate students as well as many PhD holders that offered stories about their own real experiences. Process, and I think it describes the book perfectly: Graduate school in science is not an experiential extension of undergraduate education, where the passing of a sufficient number of courses usually guarantees one a degree; D students are actually pretty much on their own--and they will sink or swim depending upon their own interpretation of how the system works. The purpose of this book is to provide students with some insight into this unusual system. They offer the secrets of survival and success: What should you discuss in your application essay? What kinds of research projects should you never undertake? What steps should you take now to make yourself "employable" when you finish? What goes on at the oral defense, and how can you prepare? Described also is the daily experience itself: research life, classes, seminars, journal clubs, lab meetings, interactions with peers and professors, qualifying exams, professional meetings, oral exams, dissertation preparation, etc. Anxiety, frustration, and joy-- all normal responses to a grad student's life--are also examined. There are many intellectual and emotional challenges inherent to becoming a scientist. This book prepares students for each stage of the experience. They will learn what to expect--socially, psychologically, and academically! Yes No 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5 out of 5 stars Required Reading, February 1, 2002 Reviewer: Tahllee Baynard from Chicago, IL USA This book should be required reading for anyone applying to gradutate school in the sciences (physical or biological). A quick read of the text will give one plenty to think about before making the big decision. The most important reading regards selecting an advisor. I am in the process of completing my degree and in hind sight agree with the issues on which the author has choosen to focus. Yes No 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 5 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Graduate School, January 16, 2002 Reviewer: A reader from Berkeley, CA I am a senior in college and I've just finished the graduate school application process. Although I have been exposed to graduate school life at my university, I just bought this book to get a complete review of the whole process. I think this book does a great job explaining every step from chosing a school to writing a dissertation. It was nice to read this book before I go to graduate school because now I know exactly what to expect. The quotes from students are very helpful and you get an honest opinion of what students are thinking about graduate school. It might have been nice to have a longer chapter about the application process itself, how the schools notify you if you'ce been accpeted, how long you should wait before you can assume you didn't get in etc. Although I haven't actually started graduate school yet, I would reccomend this book to anyone considering applying. Yes No 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 4 out of 5 stars For Bio Kids, April 18, 2001 Reviewer: 87 discipline_problem (see more about me) from Stanford, CA USA I'm only a senior, starting grad school in the fall. Clearly written and well organised, and the advice in this book certainly seems sound - grad students and profs have told me much the same things. However, although it claims to be for the sciences, what they really mean is biological sciences. It was a bit difficult, starting to read this book thinking it's for everyone and then realising that it has an enormous bio slant and that you have to weed out 'irrelevant for physicists' bits all the time. Bloom also bought titles by these authors: * 89 Robert L.
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