Experience & Community
Welcome to East Tennessee State University! I’m sure this sentiment has been echoed by your department and the larger university community since you accepted your offer of admission, but I’m also sure the reality of your membership in this campus community is recently dawning. Your time and energy spent thinking about your career path, researching programs, preparing an application, considering your options, and eventually committing to continue your journey here have all led you to this moment. You are a member of this community.
But what does being a part of this community actually mean?
While some might believe they are fortunate to be here, and in truth, being a part of this place affords a wealth of opportunity, it is also true that the university is fortunate to have you. The quality of the university and program in which you’ve enrolled depends heavily on the quality of students that have chosen to be a part of it. The wealth of skills, perspectives, and experiences that you bring the campus enrich this community far beyond your academic achievements and contributions, and as much as your being here allows you to refine the gifts you already have and develop new skills, your presence here comes with a responsibility to share these gifts with others.
That is the beauty of this graduate school experience.
Beyond adhering to the requirements and timetables imposed by your program, the value of your experience here is best measured by the relationships you build with others. Those not only within your field of study, but also across disciplines, not only with those whose perspectives align with your own, but also with those whose experiences and views depart significantly from your own. These exchanges and the collaborative relationships that are sustained by them are what enrich your experience here and enrich the larger community. The question I challenge you to answer each day of your life here at ETSU is: What can we build together?
ETSU’s values are at the core of what we do as an academic institution. Those values are
PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential; RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity, and trust; DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected; EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic; EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.
Learn more about ETSU’s mission, vision, and values.
Every Buccaneer—faculty, staff, and student—are encouraged to embody ETSU’s values. Who you choose to be to your fellow Buccaneers, and how you support and challenge each other, will define your experience now and in the future as you reflect on your time here after you have left campus.
Although this might seem relatively far away, once you’ve graduated and embarked on the careers that your time here has prepared you for, you will remain a Buccaneer, and a custodian of the values that this university holds dear. Make the most of your experience here, reach beyond the requirements of your program, and commit yourself to learning from one another.
Building Community
Note: This video is used with permission from the University of Washington. The content is relevant to all graduate students.
Future Careers
Having a 1–2 year strategic plan at any given time is very useful. For example, start planning your summer when the academic year begins so you have several semesters to research and think through options before it arrives. Explore internships, research fellowships and short-term research programs. Your research and interests might take a 90-degree turn during the course of a week, but having a plan helps you to stay focused and adapt to changes. It also helps to put pieces into perspective and keep the big picture in mind.
Finding an internship is a lot like finding a job. Since practice makes perfect, consider getting an internship before getting on the job market. The process helps to hone interview skills and learn company culture with low stakes. It’s a risk free method to sample a career, put experience on your resume, and make your bank account happy.
Negotiate! Don’t sell yourself short. Unless you ask you don’t know what you’ll get.
Don’t close doors too early. Give due diligence when opportunities come up. Sometimes mentors/well-wishers can help identifying your short-sightedness – this happened to me.
Explore opportunities with organizations on and off campus. This is a great way to cultivate effective communication, time management and program management skills. It is very useful to bring back to your research and/or job hunt and looks good on your resume. Watch out for calls for participation and read emails – you can find interesting opportunities embedded in them.
Additional Advice
Growth Happens Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Note: This video is used with permission from the University of Washington. The content
is relevant to all graduate students.
Learning What You Want to Learn
Note: This video is used with permission from the University of Washington. The content is relevant to all graduate students.
Know What You Want to Accomplish
Note: This video is used with permission from the University of Washington. The content is relevant to all graduate students.
Breaking Your Goals into Pieces
Note: This video is used with permission from the University of Washington. The content is relevant to all graduate students.