Future Impact Group’s Post

𝗽𝗵𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 - 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟯🎓 In this part of the recap, I’ll focus on my first year. It can be pretty overwhelming if you’re jumping into a PhD straight from an undergrad degree. Coming from Telecommunications Engineering to Computer Science meant learning a lot from scratch. Balancing coursework, becoming a Teaching Assistant, and starting research became a big challenge. I noticed a difference between the learning systems in the US and Spain: 1. At my undergraduate university in Barcelona (UPC ETSETB), everyone got the 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁, which was 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 and challenging. The emphasis was on deep, complex material that pushed us to understand the intricate details of our field.  2. In the US, classes focus more on 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Professors 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 and weekly homework to help students explore and evolve these concepts independently.  Both systems have their pros and cons. The Spanish system’s rigorous theoretical approach builds a solid foundational understanding, while the US system’s practical focus enhances hands-on skills and real-world application. Combining both would be ideal, combining theoretical depth with practical application. This balance can provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for academic and industry challenges. Another key lesson from my first year is the 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲. It’s easy to get excited and end up filling up all of your day, assuming you’ll have endless energy and motivation. Initially, I often underestimated how long tasks would take and overestimated my stamina throughout the day.  After many trials and errors, I found that a more flexible approach works best. I started dividing tasks into fixed responsibilities (like meetings and classes) and variable ones (like learning and research, which depend on your energy and motivation). Fixed tasks are non-negotiable and have set times, while variable tasks can be adjusted based on how I feel that day. This method helps avoid the frustration of not finishing tasks within expected timeframes and allows for a more adaptable daily routine. It took time to get used to this flexible planning, but it taught me to be more accountable and realistic with my time and energy. This approach not only improved my productivity but also reduced stress and burnout. I hope this insight helps some of you as you navigate your PhD journey. Finding the right balance and staying organized can make a huge difference! #PhDJourney #GraduateLife #Learning #Organization #ResearchLife

Do you have a technology challenge in you business? Our school of computing is looking to work with you to place students on a specific topic over a 12 week period. Project specialisms will include: ·      AI ·      Business Computing ·      Computing Science ·      Data Science ·      Games ·      Networking Organisations looking to engage with Northumbria students could consider these projects as a great way to identify future graduate talent. If you are interested then contact Lee Allen in our Graduate Futures. You might even identify an opportunity for growth and get to try out a prospective candidate by engaging in a KTP where you would get a dedicated person supervised by one of our academic experts working with you to meet your challenge by embedding the latest knowhow in your team. It's not all about the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, but working with us in any capacity could lead to one. 😁 (I was always going to plug KTP). Interested, then get in touch with Lee or drop me a line. Sometimes the need might not be so great, or it may be too early,

"A Ph.D. or a master’s degree cannot be considered as professional experience." A few days ago, I came across a Call for Experts from a public institution, and I decided to take a look. In the requirements section, I found the statement I cited at the beginning of this post. You can imagine my surprise. First, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. are two very different paths. A Ph.D. is more of a research journey than a traditional educational program. Second, during my time as a Ph.D. student, I was a full-time researcher, carrying out a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities. So, why shouldn’t those years count as professional experience? We are talking about a minimum of 3-4 years, often extending to more than 6 years. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a statement. My aim here is not to argue (which is why I won’t share the specific Call), but to gather perspectives and experiences from my network to raise awareness on this topic. Have you ever come across something like this? Perhaps the Call was intended to encourage people not to focus solely on their degrees, but rather on the actual work they have done.

👉🏼 Research exposure is a powerful way for developing creative thinking skills. By engaging students in the process of inquiry, exploration, and discovery, they are encouraged to think critically, question assumptions, and explore new ideas. 👉🏼 Research exposure creates a mindset of curiosity, openness, and experimentation, enabling students to approach problems from multiple perspectives and devise innovative solutions. Furthermore, engaging in research exposes students to diverse fields, methodologies, and approaches, expanding their knowledge base and inspiring cross-disciplinary thinking. 👉🏼 Ultimately, research exposure not only cultivates creativity but also equips students with the skills and confidence to tackle complex challenges and drive positive change in society. 👨🏼⚖️ Unlock your creativity and expand your knowledge with LabLinkUp. Our upcoming virtual lab tours with young academic researchers & scientists provide unprecedented research exposure, fostering critical thinking, cross-disciplinary learning, and innovative problem-solving. 🤝 Join us on a journey of discovery today!

As you may know, I've been an AbD (all but dissertation) for what feels like centuries now. So, I've finally decided to do something about it. I'm running a social experiment on unconventional ways to obtain your PhD. I'm not looking to become a professor so I'm more interested in applied PhDs. I'll be posting about my journey on #TikTok and here on LinkedIn. My first attempt will be to earn a DBA (doctor of business administration) in Strategy and Innovation based on life experience. My second attempt will be to obtain an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy. My third attempt will be to earn PhD by Publication for a D.Tech (doctor of technology). I have all three started. My metrics are level of effort, time, cost, credibility. so be sure to follow alongs. #academia #phd #university #academicjourney #roadtophd (𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘎𝘗𝘛 - 𝘐 𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵: "𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦. 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘗𝘩𝘋 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘢g𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.")

Are you a PhD researcher with questions and uncertainties on your academic journey? Wish you could easily ask your supervisor about those little things that keep you up at night? Wondering what’s normal, when to take the next step, or how others handle similar situations?   Introducing PhD Office Hours for June! This is your chance to drop in, ask questions, and connect with fellow PhD researchers who understand exactly what you’re going through. Whether you’re stuck on a specific issue or just need some guidance, these sessions are designed to provide the support and answers you need. What to Expect: Open Q&A Sessions: Bring any questions, big or small. Peer Support: Share experiences and strategies with other PhD researchers. Flexible Attendance: Drop in at your convenience. How to Join: Simply click below to receive updates on dates, times and zoom links! https://lnkd.in/e5MPR-B3

Don’t ask: Is going back to University for a Masters or PhD worth it? Ask these key questions instead: -- Will a Masters or PhD help you achieve your career and life goals? - Are there other options to achieving these goals that’s equally acceptable and better for you? - Does the idea of solving a practice problem excite you and ignite your intellectual fire? - Do you want to make significant contributions to your sector by doing research? - Do you enjoy research, specifically academic research? - Are you willing to make a financial plan or concessions for the journey? - Can you handle the another significant time commitment in addition to your work and personal commitment? - Are you willing to make sacrifices with work or personal commitments for the duration of the program? A masters or PhD is a significant commitment. Self-reflection will help you decide if it's the right path for you. Talk to current students and professionals to gain valuable insights. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time and choose wisely Follow for more tips on grad research applications.

Exciting News for Masters and PhD Applicants 🚀   Are you ready to take your education to the next level?   I’ve got something special just for you!   It's my Postgrad Crash Course – a helpful course designed to make applying for master's or PhD programs easier and more successful.   We cover everything you need to know, like how to research the right programs, write awesome application documents, and navigating scholarship applications.   If you're worried about how to get started or feeling a bit lost in the whole process, don't stress!   I am here to help.   Just sign up and get instant access to all the lessons and resources.   So, what are you waiting for?   Sign up through the link in the comments

Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers (PREDOC) is a consortium of universities and research institutions that aims to remove barriers to access to research and doctoral careers. These barriers include asymmetries of information, education, credentialing, and affordability. Our initiatives foster a population in quantitative social science that is more talented, diverse, and inclusive. At predoc.org, we amplify diverse research opportunities in the quantitative social sciences. Our main focus is on pre-doctoral opportunities, one-to-two year *paid* assistantships designed to better prepare students for graduate research, and a great opportunity for those still exploring what a research career looks like to determine whether a PhD is right for them. Since the journey to a pre-doc often starts early in a undergraduate career, we spend the majority of our resources helping students develop the coding, professional, and research skills necessary to submit a successful application. However, we are interested, above all, in motivating would-be researchers to consider the possibilities available in quantitative social science fields, and empowering them each step of the way. You can find our current list of institutional partners on our site, which includes proud members from Spelman College, Stanford University Graduate School of Business, MIT Sloan School of Management, Federal Reserve Board, Becker Friedman Institute for Economics, Opportunity Insights, and more! #stemeducation #predoc #quantitativeresearch #studentsuccess #diversityandinclusion

Why advanced degree? Been approached, multiple times, mostly from recent undergraduates working in the high-tech industry, questioning if they should proceed to advanced degrees. So here my 2 cents on this (not in importance order): * R Vs. D - in the high-tech, in majority of cases the (IMO cool) Research staff is conducted by people holding advanced degrees Vs. the execution/Development which uses (mature) technology to implement features/products. * Technology frontier - if going where no one has gone before is what gives you the kick than this (advanced degree) is probably one of the options to get there :). * Learn research TFMs (Tools, Flow, and Methodologies) - topic for a separate post :) * Exposure to research community - learn and share information with the leading experts, and the most advanced aspects, in your field. * Industry relevancy - technology evolves, be on top of the relevant fields frontier. * Industry/business impact - potential impact industry/products/business via introducing new capabilities, features, products solving/overcoming industry and/or users pain points/challenges . * Getting to know amazing and talented people! * Able to participate in student events :) Hope this helps.