Speaker 1: In this video, we will explore the importance of building strong relationships with your advisor, other mentors, and the Graduate Program Coordinator, GPC for short. You will learn how to initiate and nurture these connections and understand the pivotal role of faculty and staff in shaping your time in the graduate program. Let's dive in. All graduate programs require that a graduate student is paired with a faculty advisor. Your advisor will help you understand the requirements and expectations of your program, set a timeline and plan for reaching important milestones in your academic and research progress, help you identify research ideas, assist you in identifying and applying for relevant grants, fellowships, and scholarships, and provide you with feedback on your work, including an annual review of your progress. But it is unlikely that one individual faculty advisor can help you with everything you need to know in your program and discipline. Mentors can broaden your perspectives and share their knowledge and expertise in less formal ways. Compared to advisors, mentors serve a more informal role and can be found among faculty members or professionals in your field. Why are relationships with advisors and mentors so critical in your academic journey? Think of them as experienced guides who can offer advice on course selection, research opportunities, and reaching academic milestones. These relationships also offer personalized support as your advisor and mentors get to know your strengths, areas to grow, and aspirations, allowing them to tailor their guidance to your unique needs.

Speaker 2: Advisor is one of the crucial things you will have during your grad life. Once, my friend told me a good personality advisor means you will succeed in your PhD, and a bad personality will make this hell for you. That's why before coming here, I asked a lot of questions about my advisor by asking his previous students and getting to know his academic reputation and personality.

Speaker 1: Some faculty have advising statements, which can help you get a sense of who the faculty member is and how they advise students. These statements are typically posted on the program website or the faculty's webpage, and it is something you can look up in advance. You can also ask your advisor if they have an advising statement that they can share and discuss with you.

Speaker 3: Building a positive relationship with your advisor from the start is key to having a meaningful, productive, and enjoyable graduate school experience. You might be nervous the first time you meet, and that's okay. Take this opportunity to show interest in your advisor as a person and as a role model. You may share how you're feeling and weave your curiosity into the conversation. Learning about the advisor's past experiences, what makes them proud, what are their aspirations, and what they like doing are great relationship starters. It's also okay if the advisor is asking the questions and, while doing so, you contribute to the conversation with your own questions. Share what you like, what your own expectations and aspirations are, and it is okay to share concerns as well. Likely, the advisor has been there and will share some of their concerns as well. Make this first conversation a signature of trust and respect in the journey that you two will take together in the next few years.

Speaker 4: You also need to be your own advocate. You have to seek what you want from your advisor. So each advisor and mentor has their own strengths and weaknesses, and you need to identify both their areas and figure out what you need in general and what you can get from each. Most of the time, if you don't realize you are in the driver's seat, you can really feel lost. That said, there are some advisors who are very hands-on, but also that style may not work for you. So, for example, I realized and was very lucky to have an advisor who is hands-off but really present and supportive. I also think it's much more important to have an advisor who is kind and supportive than a top dog in your area. And different people, you know, have different relationships with their advisors and mentors. Some are much more formal than others. Both of these are fine, but it's up to you to figure out your advisor's advising style by talking to their more advanced students and decide if it works for you or if you need to find work-arounds.

Speaker 1: Furthermore, as a graduate student, you will also frequently interact with department staff and, in particular, the Graduate Program Coordinator, GPC for short. Among many other things, GPCs counsel students to guide them through program, college, and university policies and procedures, including providing direction on approved curriculum and program and or college-specific requirements to meet degree requirements. They also monitor students' degree progress and ensure timely completion of their degree plan, assignment of preliminary and final oral exam committees, and graduation procedures. The GPC's dedication to ensuring a smooth academic experience is instrumental to your success as a graduate student, and it is important you cultivate a respectful and collaborative relationship with your GPC.

Speaker 5: GPCs provide information, resources, and support to students to successfully navigate through their academic program. They ensure compliance with program, college, and university-specific policies. GPCs are in contact with the students frequently throughout their academic program and are a resource for any questions students may have. It is always helpful to know the staff members in your department and their roles as it helps to reach out to the right person when a need arises. Students may sometimes disregard the staff and GPCs as they do not understand their roles in the department. This can lead to missing critical communication and missing deadlines as students may ignore emails sent by staff and or GPCs. If graduate students don't understand staff roles, they can also end up emailing multiple people or offices about an issue without checking who is the right person to contact. This leads to confusion and delays. Start with your department, especially GPC, as they can guide you to the right people and resources quickly.

Speaker 1: As an international graduate student, you may encounter some cross-cultural differences when communicating with U.S. faculty and staff.

Speaker 5: Sometimes international students are reluctant to ask questions for more clarity and instead try to figure it out on their own as it is what would be expected in their cultures. But here, we would rather have the students ask questions so that we can direct them to the right person and resources. I've also noticed that some international students expect a clear answer from faculty and staff, but here the culture is to offer options and let them decide. This leads to confusion and also stress among students as they don't know what is expected of them. For example, an international student might be told, I'd suggest you check with the faculty or staff, and they interpret it as they do not have to check with the faculty or staff leading to further issues.

Speaker 1: Navigating graduate school can be challenging and you may encounter conflict situations where you may feel like you cannot voice your concerns. Remember that you do not need to avoid conflicts, and if you ever experience a difficult situation like a conflict with your peers, faculty, or staff, the Student Conflict Resolution Center is a great resource to seek confidential help in resolving issues. But not all conflicts need to be escalated to the Student Conflict Resolution Center. Each program has a Director of Graduate Studies, or DGS, and a GPC who can be your first point of contact for assistance within the graduate program. Building relationships with faculty and staff is not just a part of your academic journey, it's the compass that can guide you to success. These connections offer guidance, personalized support, and open doors to opportunities for academic and professional development. For more information, visit the Student Conflict Resolution Center website.