Victors in Grad School

Entering graduate school can be a daunting prospect, especially for first-generation college students like Natalie El-Zayat. In a recent episode of the Victors in Grad School podcast, Natalie shared her experiences as a second-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy student at the University of Michigan Flint, shedding light on her journey from undergrad to grad school and offering valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path.

From Undergrad to Grad School:

The Decision to Pursue Physical Therapy Natalie's desire to be part of the medical field led her on a personal journey of discovery. Her decision to pursue physical therapy was influenced by witnessing her uncle's rehabilitation journey after suffering a stroke. Beyond the physical aspects of therapy, Natalie was drawn to the mental and emotional support involved, which ignited her passion for this field. The importance of building long-term patient relationships and the holistic approach to care solidified her choice to pursue physical therapy as a career.

Choosing the Right Program: Factors to Consider

When deciding where to pursue her doctorate, Natalie emphasized the significance of considering the type of support and community offered by the university. As a first-generation college student, the support and guidance she received at the undergraduate level were instrumental in her decision to attend the University of Michigan Flint. The emphasis on being more than just a student, but a colleague, and the dedication to service and clinical experience played a significant role in her ultimate choice.

Challenges Faced as a First-Generation Graduate Student

Natalie acknowledged the learning curve she faced transitioning from undergraduate to graduate school. As a first-generation student, she highlighted the importance of asking for help and seeking support. Balancing the rigorous program of graduate school while maintaining a life balance was a key learning point for her. She emphasized the need for self-compassion and patience, recognizing that perfection is not attainable and that the journey will have its ups and downs.

Strategies for Success: Adapting Study Techniques

Natalie's journey emphasized the evolution of her study techniques. From initially focusing on memorization for exams to shifting towards understanding and making connections, she recognized the need to adapt and refine her approach to learning. Mind mapping and seeking advice from faculty and other resources played an essential role in her academic journey. By prioritizing learning over grades, she found a more sustainable and effective way to navigate the challenging curriculum.

Clinical Opportunities and Insights: Heart Clinic Experience

Natalie's experience at the Heart Clinic, where she gained firsthand clinical exposure, provided valuable insights for prospective physical therapy students. She highlighted the importance of understanding the patient population and types of pathologies covered in the clinical setting. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of seeking out the right resources and the value of mentors in making the most of clinical experiences.

Encouraging Others: Tips for Prospective Graduate Students

In offering advice to prospective graduate students, Natalie emphasized maintaining a life balance, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support from peers and mentors. Her journey serves as a testament to the importance of adapting study techniques, prioritizing holistic understanding, and recognizing the value of personal well-being throughout the graduate school journey.

Conclusion: A Journey of Growth and Resilience

Natalie's journey offers invaluable insights for anyone considering a graduate education, particularly in physical therapy or related fields. Her experiences exemplify the challenges and triumphs that come with pursuing higher education, especially as a first-generation student. Her emphasis on adaptability, self-compassion, and seeking support underscores the importance of a holistic approach to success in graduate school.

Finding success in graduate school is not just about academic performance but also about personal growth, resilience, and a dedication to holistic learning. Natalie El-Zayat's journey serves as an inspirational guide for anyone embarking on their own path through graduate education.

In conclusion, Natalie's experiences highlight the multifaceted nature of the graduate school journey, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities it presents. Her story serves as a testament to the importance of adaptability, self-compassion, and seeking support as essential components of success in graduate school.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victors in Grad School. I'm your host, Doctor Christopher Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. Every week, I love being able to sit down with you, to talk to you, to walk alongside of you on this journey that you're on. This you may be Already in grad school, you may be just starting to think about grad school. You could be toward the end and seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. No matter where you are, you can do something each day to be able to prepare yourself, to be able to work on finding success for you in this journey that you're on. And that's what this show is all about.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:50]: Every week, we walk together and talk about things that are important to you, things that are going to help you To make choices that to find ways to be able to to find that success in your in that journey that you're on. And every week, I love being able to bring you Different people. People that have gone before you are in graduate school currently, have gone to graduate school, and are able to bring Something back to you to share that journey with you and hopefully give you some kernels of knowledge, something that you can Take from to be able to help you as you make choices yourself. Today, we've got another great guest with us today. Natalie El Zayat is with us today, and Natalie is a 2nd year physical therapy student, doctorate of physical therapy student at the University of Michigan Flint. And I'm really excited to have her here today and to welcome her to the show. Natalie, thanks so much for being here.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:01:47]: I really appreciate you for inviting me on your show. Honestly, it's been a pleasure so far, so I'm excited to see, what conversations we have.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:55]: Well, 1st and foremost, one of the things that I I love to do is be able to really turn the clock back in time. So I would love to go backwards a bit Because I know that you were at the University of Michigan Dearborn for your undergraduate degree. You were working through that. And at some point in that journey, in that time at the University of Michigan Dearborn. You made a choice to go to graduate school. What were the reasons that you chose to go to graduate school?

Natalie El-Zayat [00:02:21]: So I Always knew that in some aspect, I wanted to be in the medical field. I didn't know what part of the medical field I wanted to be in. When I was kind of going through that process that everybody goes through in their twenties, where they're trying to decipher what route is my route, which way do I wanna go, Basically, I had an uncle of mine who, after having going through a bout of malaria, he ended up suffering a stroke. And I got to see his Rehab journey from day 1 and to see that it wasn't only the physiological elements. It wasn't only the physical part of therapy that he was struggling with, but also the mental. Anybody that, you know, has had a stroke of some sort has had several parts of their brain affected. So I feel like it was just Something that piqued my interest, I think seeing his therapist work with him day in, day out to try improve and improve his outcomes was something that I was, You know, really drawn to. A lot of times with doctors or nurses, they don't have the luxury of being long term with their patients and building relationships with them.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:03:25]: So I think that's something that drew me to physical therapy and made me want to continue down that path. So, yeah, I just wanted to, you know, develop myself professionally and be able to make those connections of patients.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:03:37]: Now as you made that decision to go to physical therapy school, to go to get a doctorate in physical therapy, You decided eventually that you wanted to attend the University of Michigan, Flint, and I'm sure that you had a number of options. You probably could have gone to many different places Across the state of Michigan or beyond. Talk to me about the decision making process and what made you ultimately that you wanted to attend the University of Michigan Flint.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:04:03]: As somebody who was an alumnus from a University of Michigan's school, like, from a Pacific campus. I graduated from the University of Michigan Dearborn. I feel like I was always impressed by the amount of support that I was given As a student, you know, they have, like, their start program, which kind of, like, helps students who don't necessarily know what path they want to go to with advising or, like, helping them select classes and things like that. And I think just that amount of Or as somebody who is a 1st generation college student, that is gold right there. That help is just something that is is really, really important to me. So Knowing that and then going to an open house at the University of Michigan Flint, I got to meet, with some of the faculty. And what they emphasized Was the fact that, you know, you're not just a student, you're a colleague. You're somebody that, you know, you can you you can see your professors as colleagues.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:05:00]: You can go to them, get advice. You know, they really want the best for you, and they wanna push your education as far as it will go. And I think that was something that really drew me in. It made me feel like if I do go to the school, you know, graduate school is difficult. It's, rigorous. There's a lot of time spent, a lot of studying to do, and I think just that support aspect was something that really drove me to wanting To go there as well as their dedication kind of to service. You know, we have our pro bono clinic, the heart clinic, even that just Being able to actually work with patients every week, I think, is just something that also drove me to selecting the University of Michigan as my choice for this doctoral program.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:49]: Now one of the questions that I guess that I would ask you along with that would be is you talked about being a 1st generation college student. And as you're going through undergrad as a 1st generation college student, There are definite things you don't know, definite things that you have to learn along the way. And by the time you finish, You probably are feeling a little more confident, but then you transition not only to a new school, but you transition to a whole new way of learning. And as a 1st generation college student, talk to me about that transition for you. And what did you have to learn for yourself, Maybe the hard way to be able to allow you to get to a bit of a better point, Maybe now in the 2nd year in the program where you're feeling more confident because of the fact that you understand what's being expected.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:06:42]: So just circling back to my undergrad, I think the thing the lesson that I learned, that was the most useful, the most impactful was that Ask for help. People want to help. You just need to ask for it. And I think there's that, like, aspect of wanting to be independent and, like, self sufficient and and things like that. But if you don't ask for help, you're never gonna really know, like, how to approach something the best way way because people have done it before you. They've done it efficiently. They may maybe have mastered the way to do something. So I feel like that aspect is really and that's something that I brought with me to, you know, the physical therapy program.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:07:20]: I think one thing that I wasn't necessarily prepared for When entering graduate school was just the amount the volume the volume of information that is gonna be presented to you. And I remember that 1st week just thinking to myself, like, oh my god. I don't think I'm put out for this. You know? Like, everybody has that, like, Challenge with imposter syndrome. But at the end of the day, I think I went back onto the idea of help and just We're reaching out to professors, tutoring. I still utilize tutoring till this day. I try and get as much information from other people as I on how to handle these classes. And if I ever need to speak to an adviser or anything like that and have faculty advisers.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:08:03]: So I think just leaning in to that help Has been really helpful, but also leaning on my support system, leaning on my family just to try and help me get, you know, through this. So it's It's been a challenge navigating higher education. I'm the 1st one to do it in my family. So I it's been a learning process, but, I mean, hopefully I mean, so far, I've I've Managed to be successful, and I hope to continue to do so. So, yeah, I would say just leaning on your support system and trying to find help where it's given.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:32]: Now you talked about specifically that transition for yourself as a 1st generation college student. And I guess I I also just kinda Question, and it may be that it's the exact same answer here. But as you think about now, you said you've been successful. You found success In this journey thus far, and this is a 3 year program that you're in. You're in the 2nd year. So you found success, and you made that transition well into the program. As you think back to that 1st year in the program into the 2nd year of the program, what did you have to do? What did you have to set up for yourself, and What did you have to specifically do for yourself to be able to set yourself up for success, and what have you had to do as you've moved along To maintain that success throughout your graduate school journey.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:09:19]: Yeah. So I think I had to approach The way I studied differently, the way that I took in information, I especially with physical therapy, it's kind of one of those professions that where you begin The base classes that you have kind of get built on. So you're build they're like they're you're building blocks, and you start building and adding on More information as the semesters go on. And I think that's one thing that you really have to do. You have to make those connections, and you have to approach you know, like, Through undergrad, with, like, most of the courses that I was in, a lot of the emphasis was kind of on just, like, getting the grade and On just trying to, like, memorize it for the test or, like, do well for the test. But I think especially, I feel like this semester, I've kind of Started to really hone in on that idea of learning, not just for the sake of the grade, but learning to understand, Sam learning to make connections, and it's not an easy thing to do. I do a lot of mind maps. I'll, like, just getting a piece of paper and just saying, okay.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:10:21]: This is what I'm starting with, and I'm connecting all of these things together. How do they relate to each other? And going about it that way because I think When you approach studying that way versus just going through the notes and rewriting them, you're making those connections that are gonna last. It's not gonna just be a short term game gain. It's gonna be a long term. And, also, I feel that Every single semester, I've taken I've started to refine my way of studying. So I take things that work. I keep them. If there are certain things that don't work, I just, you know, get rid of them, and then I try to even build upon it.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:10:57]: I mean, I looked up YouTube videos and things like that. There's a lot of people that have gone to graduate before me and and your podcast also has been helpful in that sense of trying to find ways to make sure that learning is at the forefront. And this semester specifically, I'm taking the burden off of myself of like, hey. If I don't do well on this exam, it's okay. I Just I'm trying to focus on learning and building those connections.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:23]: You know, that's so important because as you keep Going up in your education, the expectation for you to be able to have that long term knowledge and long term of the concepts becomes even greater. And I speak to a lot of students. And in high school, a lot of times, students, You can fake it. You can easily fake it till you make it, and you don't really have to push yourself. You don't have to study as that that hard typically To be able to get the grades that you want. Undergrad, little bit harder. And depending on the type of class and professor And how much they challenge you. You may still be able to fake it somewhat.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:05]: It's a little bit more difficult. As you get into grad school, You get into your doctorate, you can't fake it. Your faculty are gonna know whether you really know it or you don't know it. They're gonna expect you to not only understand Stand the knowledge in the class, but then you have to be able to take that knowledge and put it into action. And that's Where the rubber meets the road, and you've got to be able to show that you completely understand the concept. And if you don't, You have to be willing to be vulnerable enough to say that and to put yourself out there so that you can learn it. Because in the end, especially in a program like this, It's gonna impact you as a professional and how you are going to impact the work that you do with patients. Now You mentioned heart, and you mentioned that that has been something that's been important for you in the decision making to come to the University of Michigan Flint.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:13:00]: And not every student at knows to ask those questions to find out if there are opportunities for that type of experience Prior to getting into clinical rotations, as you look at the experience that you've had with heart And you think back to your time prior to going and picking a graduate school. What are some questions that you would have wanted to have asked to find out more about that clinical experience, that In person hands on experience that you're now getting, but you might not have known to ask that as you started off.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:13:42]: One of the things that I would have like to know more about and a question that I would have liked to ask prior to starting is about, like, the Type the population type, the types of patients that we're gonna be seeing, and I guess a lot about all all sorry. About the, Pathologies that we would be seeing as well. We do get wide array of patients. We get patients that have Parkinson's disease. We get patients that have Have had suffered a stroke previously that we work with, have exercise classes that we do with those patients, but then we also have just Clinic. We have people that come in that have low back pain and things like that. But I will say the types of patients that dominate kind of that population are the patients that have had Some sort of neurological deficit. And I feel like that's something that I would have liked to know previously because I would have maybe looked more into interventions and things like that.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:14:35]: I mean, they teach us a lot through the program. I'm talking about if I were to start my 1st semester all over again when I have to volunteer. I feel like I would have liked to know that just because it would have helped me know which sources to kind of seek out or Who to seek out? Amy York, she's the person that runs the pro bono clinic, and she's a great, great resource. And she's always encouraging people to ask questions. As a 1st year, you're kind of a little bit hesitant to do so because you might not know what questions to ask Or you might not know who to ask. So I feel like if I had maybe known those 2 things, the type of patient population and who to ask To try and give these patients the best possible experience that they can get, I feel like those would be the 2 questions that I would wanna know previously.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:15:21]: And, you know, I think one of the things that's unique about the physical therapy program here at the University of Michigan Flint with this heart clinic is that 1st year students are able to get involved, Which is not always the case, and that's the case when you look at clinical experiences and any type of field. A lot of times, you have to wait until you're at least In your 2nd year or so to be able to have some knowledge under your under your belt, to go in to work with the faculty in that way and to get Your hands right in there to impact patients. And this program at the University of Michigan Flint definitely is unique in that way that it does allow students that want to to step out into the clinic right from day 1. And and I think that that is something that allows for you to be able to differentiate your experience and get more experiences, with a diverse clientele that will allow for you to serve others in much better ways in the future. Now as you think back to your graduate education so far and you think about people that are thinking about graduate school, whether it's Going to become a a physical therapist or some other path. What are some tips that you might offer those other students? Those people that are thinking about graduate school right now that would help them find success sooner.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:16:44]: Well, first and foremost, I would say one of the most important lessons that I've had to learn is You're not gonna be perfect all the time, especially in doctoral program. You're having to balance Your life. Some people still work while they're in graduate school, which is incredibly impressive. I'm not one of those. Also, I think my commute factors into that because I do drive of distance to get to school, but, you know, balancing family, things that are important to you. And I think it's that balance that kind of can help you keep going Because a lot of people sometimes might put too much in 1 basket, and then what happens one side of the basket, and then the basket tips over and, you know, you're kind of just like you start going through the cycle of feeling like you can never catch up or keep up. At the end of the day, it is a rigorous program, And you have to be forgiving with yourself. You have to realize that I'm not perfect.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:17:40]: There are gonna be times or certain exams where I'm not gonna do the best. But if You can take those experiences and make them positive by talking to faculty, figuring out ways that you can what knowledge gaps there are and how you can fill them and Learn from that experience and have that kind of mindset to develop yourself and just develop yourself professionally, I think, is really important. So I would say not being so hard on yourself, trying to keep that life balance. Whatever it is that you like doing Previously, just try and keep it going as much as you can. I will say in the 1st year, I really struggled, to keep up, my exercise. There was a lot of times where I would just fall off. I would try, and then I would just fall off, and I wouldn't end up going back to the gym. And I and, Overall, I feel like it negatively impacted my mental health.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:18:33]: But being able to do that this semester, even if it's just 2 days a week, taking that time for myself And not feeling guilty about, like, not studying or anything like that is has been really, really helpful for me. And I think just being patient with yourself because you're not gonna figure it out day 1. It's not gonna be perfect. You know, you've never had to hit that level of, Oh, wow. This is a lot of information. How am I gonna integrate it all, and how am I gonna, you know, understand it all and do well on these exams? Well, you You know, it's not gonna be perfect, but over time it will get better, and you'll know how to manage your time in a way that will help you. And I think just Trying to keep the things that you love, trying to to keep the people around you that you love, and to keeping that social support, and not just Having, like like, one track mind of, oh, I just need to study. I need to study because at the end of the day, you are human.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:19:28]: There's only you know, the brain only has so much capacity. And I think just focusing on having more efficient study times where you're trying to, like, understand the Concepts versus memorize every little detail will benefit you more in the long term.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:19:43]: Well, Natalie, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey today, And I wish you all the best.

Natalie El-Zayat [00:19:50]: I appreciate you so much. Thank you for having me on. I always want to help people as much as possible. I'm not sure If you can share my email, but you can put my email out there if anyone has any questions or anything. I'm always willing to help. As somebody that, you know, Didn't necessarily have that help going into undergrad and graduate school as well. I always am willing to, you know, sit down and have a conversation. So thank you so much.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:20:13]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our Graduate programs, visit umflint.eduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with Me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at [email protected].

Navigating the World of Graduate School

Graduate school is a significant step in an individual's academic and professional journey. The decision to pursue advanced education often arises from the desire to broaden one's knowledge, enhance career prospects, or delve deeper into a particular field of study. In a recent episode of the "Victors in Grad School" podcast, Dr. Christopher Lewis engages in an insightful conversation with Kyle Jankowski, who shares his experiences and insights as someone with degrees in social work and psychology. These insights shed light on the challenges and triumphs of navigating through the world of graduate education, shedding light on what it takes to succeed in a rigorous academic journey and beyond.

Finding Purpose and Evolving Aspirations

Jankowski's decision to pursue graduate studies stemmed from a desire to seek more opportunities for advancement and leadership in his field of social work. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the financial and career prospects associated with specific educational levels. Through his introspective introspective and forward-thinking perspective, he highlights that graduate education opens doors to expanded opportunities, particularly in areas such as administration and specialized roles that often require advanced degrees.

Overcoming Adversity and Finding New Paths

The episode underscores Jankowski's pivotal moment of simultaneously receiving an acceptance letter for a graduate program while being laid off from his job. This confluence of events led him to reflect on the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities in the face of adversity. His journey serves as a practical demonstration of navigating life changes and aligning them with professional growth. It is a testament to how setbacks can lead to unforeseen paths of personal and professional development.

Selecting the Right Institution

Jankowski emphasizes the significance of selecting the right educational institution and program, citing the impact of mentorship and financial considerations in his decision-making process. The importance of scholarship opportunities and a program's fit with personal and professional aspirations is highlighted. His experiences underscore the need for a holistic assessment of factors such as faculty mentorship, financial aid, and the cultural fit of an institution when considering graduate programs.

Balancing Personal and Academic Commitments

Maintaining a balance between academic commitments, personal life, and financial responsibilities is crucial for success in graduate school. Jankowski's dedication to his studies while acknowledging the need to sustain connections and manage finances is emblematic of the multifaceted responsibilities that graduate students often face. His emphasis on practical time management and budgeting strategies underscores the need for holistic planning to navigate the demands of graduate education successfully.

Integrating Education into Professional Practice

The integration of theoretical knowledge from graduate programs into real-world professional practice is essential for growth and impact. Jankowski's insights into utilizing group work and mentorship from his programs to shape his work with young adults and children showcase the tangible impact of graduate education expertise on creating positive change within communities. By drawing connections between his academic and professional experiences, he showcases the relevance of graduate education in shaping effective and impactful practitioners.

Guiding Tips for Prospective Graduate Students

Jankowski's reflections culminate in a set of guiding tips for prospective graduate students. He advocates for aligning educational pursuits with intrinsic motivations and work ethic, emphasizing the importance of clarity in one's professional aspirations. His insights on the potential pitfalls of over-specialization and the value of a holistic approach to personal and professional growth provide invaluable guidance for those considering advanced degrees.

Conclusion

In the world of graduate school, diverse challenges and opportunities await individuals seeking to further their education and professional prospects. Jankowski's journey, characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to learning and growth, provides an inspiring narrative for those navigating through graduate education. It underscores the multidimensional aspects of success, from selecting the right program to integrating knowledge into professional practice. Ultimately, Jankowski's insights serve as a beacon for aspiring graduate students, offering pragmatic counsel and a broader perspective on the transformative journey of graduate education.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victor's in Grad School. I'm your host, Doctor Christopher Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan, Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. Every week, I love being able to be in this journey with you As you are considering grad school, you're in grad school, you're looking at the light at the end of the tunnel, and you're and you're looking at the end of grad school, no matter where you are in this Journey, you are on a journey. You are on a journey toward getting that credential, getting that degree, moving toward The end goal that you've set for yourself, the whatever that career goal is, that aspiration that you're aiming toward, I love being able to talk to you about this and helping you along the way because every person is on a little bit of a different path, but what's important is to know that Though your path may be different than mine, there are many things that you and I both can do to be able to find success in that journey that are going to be exactly the same. And that's why this exists. It is here to help you to find ways that you could find success in the journey that you are on. I I also love every week being able to bring you different guests that are able to share their journeys with you so that you can learn and grow from what they went through And help you in the journey that you're on.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:28]: Today, we got another great guest. Kyle Jankowski is with us today, and Kyle is the founder and co owner of the Center For Change and Healing as well as the co owner of the Birch Forest Children's Therapy Center. Really excited to have him here with us today And to have him share his journey with you. Kyle, thanks so much for being here today.

Kyle Jankowski [00:01:53]: Thank you very much for hosting me, Christopher. I'm glad to be here. It's good to be able to give back to the school and give back to young people that are And not so young people that are taking 2nd life journeys Well,

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:03]: I really appreciate you coming up in the field and advancing. Kyle just tipped his hat a little bit. Many of us.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:07]: He did do his undergraduate work here at the University of Michigan Flint getting a bachelor's in social work, but then he went on from there And went to the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work to get an MSW, and then went on from there to do some more work with Pacifica Graduate Institute in getting another master's degree in psychology. So he's he's done this a couple of times. So one of the things that I I first love to do is I'd love to go back. I wanna go all the way back to that time when you were at the University of Michigan Flint getting that bachelor's degree. Talk to me about what were the reasons that made you choose that you wanted to go initially to graduate school?

Kyle Jankowski [00:02:53]: In social work, it really is a profession at this point in history that's built around The graduate program and the advanced MSW degree and its subspecialties. There's a lot that you can do at the bachelor level, But there are financial realities that kick in with having a sustainable income at the bachelor's level. There's also realities With being locked out of certain job positions, administrative positions, there's a lot of ground level stuff that's done very well by people with the bachelor's degree with the BSW, But there's also real limits on advancement for people's natural leadership skills. They're Various geniuses, as the Greeks say, with lots of talents like Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences, Their unique cultural perspectives and other perspectives that they that they have, that they bring into the field that enriches it and the work that they do. So there's a bit of a A glass ceiling for a lot of opportunities unless you have that master's degree. I was in a position where I had been working in foster care in Genesee in Shiawassee County and Lapeer County, which is around Flint where I grew up. And I was working for a number of DCFS contractors experts and doing in home care, counseling, support groups, and a lot of transition to college type programming. And it's a contract position from the state, And my coworker and I, who were the only 2 caseworkers, for a lot of kids, were laid off Because the organization lost the contract.

Kyle Jankowski [00:04:24]: Now it was about that same time that I started before then a few months, I started thinking about graduate School and applying, and I was applying all over. I I applied at, I believe, Michigan State. I applied at Ann Arbor School, which is where the master's program is for University of Michigan's system, and I applied to Washington University in St. Louis and their famous social work school, Columbia in New York, USC, etcetera. And I was looking also at other backup secondary smaller schools. And about the time that I got my acceptance letter To both Washington University and University of Chicago, I got my pink slip from my organization. So it worked out very well In the sense of fate, providence, divine intervention, or dumb luck, whichever way you'd like to take it.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:10]: So I know, as I mentioned

Kyle Jankowski [00:05:12]: just clear that what you need to do,

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:14]: And you decided to get another master's in psychology, and not just overarching psychology, but a specific type of psychology. So what made you decide that you wanted to go even further in a different direction to be able to expand your knowledge in that different way.

Kyle Jankowski [00:05:38]: Yeah. Well, this is the importance of mentors and where that comes into the story. So in my 1st semester, my 1st course at University of Chicago. This is the 1st week of school at Real Coursework. They do a lot of onboarding and orientation and fun stuff beforehand And then like a lot of programs do. We're in class, and I run into this very lovely, very bright woman In the lunchroom, and she is getting her food, and her name was Vanessa. And she I didn't know at the time, but, she was gonna be my wife. She introduced me to a, her training clinical mentor, Kevin, who was a big figure out Here in Chicago, had founded a lot of programs back in the seventies, eighties, and nineties for adolescent treatment, which was very burgeoning at that time.

Kyle Jankowski [00:06:29]: Mostly what's been applied to adolescent child treatment has been adult models, and he was creating with other people a unique adolescent Theory based model, that was very effective and still is very effective. And I started doing, additional training with him And, working with them, he worked with a lot of other professionals from different disciplines that were doing general self development as well as specialization in, social work and clinical social work. He was a, PhD from University of Chicago, And so I worked with him for years as kind of a, graduate auxiliary program, I guess, or maybe we might call it a, a postgrad, You know, type of training, very thorough, training and group work, and then that His background also was in, union and depth psychology. That's the work of Carl Jung, Freud. It includes Adler. It's it's the branch of psychology that doesn't get visited very much. It's James Hillman's work in archetypal psychology, Marian Woodman, Marie Louis van Franz and others and, who have made themselves more of a name in modern times with a lot of, body centered and somatic and trauma literature, somatics, and a lot of art therapy is based in union psychology. So it It was something I was always drawn to being interested in story, mythology.

Kyle Jankowski [00:08:00]: I've always had a strong interest in My own cultural heritage, which is Polish and Scottish, and then intercultural programming. And so It was a natural fit for me for the things I would have read about anyways. Why not get a degree in it, have the credentialing? And I planned on publishing in it, which I have since then. And my wife also kinda dragged me into doing it at that time too. So we got to do another program together, which was a lot of fun.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:25]: Mentioned this a little bit, but as you are looking at your graduate programs, And you've mentioned you looked at a number of different ones before deciding on the University of Chicago, and you may have considered a number of ones before you went and got your your master's In psychology as well. Can you reflect back on both of those degrees and the institutions that you did select? What was it about those Specific programs or institutions that made you choose to go to those institutions versus others.

Kyle Jankowski [00:08:53]: Well, there was. My family is a working class, lower middle class family from Flint. A lot of auto workers and tradespeople, lower tier medical professionals, not lower as in less skilled or, less talented, just the lower paid nurses and And the people that do all the real work in the hospitals and the clinics type of folks. So we did not have the means at this time, and this was even before the Massive spike in tuition that happened nationwide for me to attend the types of schools that I was being accepted to. So Part of the decision for University of Chicago is they gave me a very generous scholarship, and I was able to combine that with my own savings and literally selling off all of my belongings and assets, Including a very lovely motorcycle to pay for the program. So that was a big decision. Also, my mentors at University of Michigan Flint, Kathleen Worley, who I believe since has moved on. I think she teaches at Central Michigan University now.

Kyle Jankowski [00:09:51]: And doctor Everett j Blakely, who I believe is since deceased. Chuck bay Chuck Bailey, who I believe was part one of the founders of the program, there and was big in addictions work in and around Flint and Denise Dedmon, who was came late into the program, and Jacqueline Harvey Also, she was our she taught addictions, and she also did the cohort, training program for the BSW program. All of them I had very close relationships I developed with, and it was in that very rich mentoring true teacher sort of capacity. And they spoke very highly of the program at UChicago as well as UW Madison and Ann Arbor and other programs around the Midwest. We really have, Along with our industrial heritage and our engineering heritage here that that we're known for in our collegiate system in the Midwest, we have a very strong Social services program and public policy program that sometimes is in the shadow of the east and west coast schools. So I just wanna Put in a shout out to our schools around here for that. So it came out of that, and a lot of it did come down to scholarship money and practicalities. I was also looking at the condition of Flint at the time.

Kyle Jankowski [00:11:04]: This is circa 2006 to 2008. Things were very bad during that time and not on an upswing. And I was looking to find some new opportunities in ways that I could possibly loop back around to Flint in the future, but I needed to be able to have employment. I had student bills. I wanted to get married. So I just didn't see the opportunities around the area that I was looking for. UC is where social work started in America with Hull House, Jane Adams, the famous OG social worker, Mary Richmond, Abraham Flexner, and others. And they pioneered the whole field, in in Chicago, working with immigrants, working with Native Americans and African Americans that had moved into the cities, Gangs, drugs, they did everything.

Kyle Jankowski [00:11:47]: It was amazing, the stuff that those ladies did, and it was primarily the women driving the program. I wanna be a part of that. I wanna join. That was really exciting. So that sealed the deal. And a few of the other schools, though I was grateful to be admitted, on my academic merit and my work, their scholarships were a joke compared To the reality of tuition. 1 school offered me $500 in total. So that was a hard pass on that one.

Kyle Jankowski [00:12:10]: As far as for Pacifica for the later program, there's not a lot of training centers for union and depth psychology that are in North America. There's really, I think, 4. You have Pacifica out in Santa Barbara. You have Naropa University in Colorado, which is a Buddhist based school founded by Shogyam Trungpa who was trained at Oxford, and he was one of the people that escaped with the Dalai Lama from Tibet. But the school is very Buddhist, and that's not the school I was looking for. There's Essex. The that does some, remote learning, I believe, through programs in Canada, And then you have, there's another school in California. California Institute of Integral Studies is primarily a psychology school, Smaller.

Kyle Jankowski [00:12:56]: They're very good at what they do and and their programs. And Pacifica is considered at the top, And they had a remote learning program that allowed me to do a hybrid of being there in person and being here and being here back in Chicago with my Duties and responsibilities as a director. It was a good call for my existing relationships and my marriage and my clinical obligations to my patients. Usually, a lot of graduate programs, you you leave. University of Chicago has a psychology program, and they said, basically, don't have a job or a marriage. Well, that wasn't gonna work. So there's a lot of practical decisions. You should look for a program that calls to your heart also.

Kyle Jankowski [00:13:34]: When I walked on the campus at University of Chicago And I walked on the campus at Pacifica doing tours there and exploratory interviews. I was immediately drawn to The good fit of the place. It's the same thing I felt at Michigan also. And if you go to other campuses and you don't feel that, That is also a very important piece of data about yourself and the good fit of belonging to that community. Sometimes your intuitive mind will speak to you in that way. So I put a lot of stock in that along with the hard science.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:14:09]: Now you did make it through these programs. You found success in the graduate programs that you went into. It seemed that they were tough programs. What did you have to do to set yourself up for success, and what did you have to do to maintain that success throughout the graduate school journey?

Kyle Jankowski [00:14:26]: Reviewing on what has Then your your historic formula for success in school, personal organization, willing sacrifices that you make for socially and otherwise. I did a lot of work with my friends and my family of informing them about the realities of the commitments that I was making. What I did is I made myself Available when I could, showing up for social events and whatnot and maintain connections, but being very clear that this is what I can offer. And it wasn't a take it or leave it type of scenario, but it was also a reminder to them that this is what they have been supporting me to do. This is what they've been wanting me to do. And if they were serious about believing in my success, this is where it's taken us to. So we have to work with that. Being very careful about your budgets and reining in your spending is really important because you're often on a very limited budget with graduate programs.

Kyle Jankowski [00:15:21]: Being extremely organized with your time, lots of compartmentalization is good, you know, where you can have dedicated time to study. What I did when we did the 2nd program at Pacifica, Vanessa and I dedicated all of Friday and most of Saturday to doing serious block times of study, and we found that that worked for us. So we compacted our entire clinical appointment week and everything else into basically 4 days, which made for a very intense 4 day work week, but there was enough energy and headspace available to be able to really dive into the material and get the most out of. And I found that doing that at When I was at Chicago, it was also very effective. So you have, like you're on with your internship or practicum, and then you're off that Clock. You're on the clock for study, and then you're off that clock. You're on, like, you're on the clock for a gym break or recreational time, and they're off that clock. Make food.

Kyle Jankowski [00:16:13]: So not in a rigid sort of OCD kind of way, but really allowing yourself to have brain breaks and physical breaks, And do not neglect the body. Do not neglect body. We burn so much blood sugar just thinking that it could be the same as what you burn during a workout, And people can be exhausted from just reading their class materials and going through the books and listening to the podcast and listening to the mixed media stuff that's part of a lot of programs now. So you have to find and recognize that formula that has worked for you and then advance it, revolutionize it, Keep working with it. You don't have to start from 0 every time.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:49]: I appreciate you sharing that. Now you got your degree in social work. Later, you got your degree in psychology. As I mentioned at the beginning, you have these 2 specific things that you're doing with your center and working with young adults, young Children, talk to me about how you're taking that information that you learned in that MSW, in that other master of arts, And you're incorporating that into the work that you're doing on a daily basis.

Kyle Jankowski [00:17:16]: So I learned a lot about group work At the MSW program, I can't speak to the program currently. But at the time, the group work program At University of Chicago was very poor as far as the training. It was embarrassingly poor. It used to be very legendary, but it was not good. All the training I received was from my clinical mentor, Kevin, And he trained us in all the classical stuff, the new emerging things, stuff from AA hospital groups, retreat centers, Intercultural studies, all kinds of stuff. So I was very confident coming out of that training with him of applying it. I also had had a lot of Not group therapy experience, but I had been a swimming coach for 8 years. I had taught music and drum corps at Several area high schools around Flint.

Kyle Jankowski [00:18:02]: I've been a lifelong musician. I've been a tutor in an elementary school. So I I had a lot of experience with the youth, And I wanted to continue that work with youth into working in school settings, community centers, outreach programs, which I've done since then. So it was both the practical experience. It was the not real experience. Sometimes we say, you know, that's the other resume stuff that that was instrumental. It was the theory. It was also being in groups.

Kyle Jankowski [00:18:33]: Part of real clinical Training to be a psychotherapist or a clinical social worker requires that you work on your own stuff, your baggage, your shadow, your Skeletons in the closet, whatever you, you know, wanna call them. It's not enough to just do cognitive therapy. There has to be a lot There has to be a lot of working with accountability for yourself, atonement for some people through religious lens, things like that. And Psychotherapy has that confessional quality to it even if we don't wanna think that it does. We can take it through a lot of different lenses, But, essentially, you're confronting the parts of your humanity and the parts of your current and past life that are Not functional or not good for yourself or others, not good for society, not good for you being an upstanding citizen wherever you go with it. So that was really essential. The theory at University of Chicago is very heavy. It's a very theory heavy program, And they love their research.

Kyle Jankowski [00:19:34]: So having a lot of books, which may not be popular anymore because of whatever current political wave The student finds himself in and things go in and out of fashion, but there's it's worth returning to the classics to understand why we still need to study them or why we do actually need to leave them in the past, but learn from them. There's a reason, and I don't just mean the western classics, but that's true also. But whatever is the classic literature in your field. If you're only reading things that were written after the year that you were born, I would really question the seriousness that you have for Your field of study. The reading only postmodern literature is a problem and will create deficits of what you can do effectively in your field. You need to pair it with If you respect it as a body of literature, you need to pair it with the classical stuff also because it's the how we got here. There's a lot of books in our field too that are about Psychotherapy and working with communities and families, it's a lot of the human condition. So we have a giant mountain of literature and film and art and sculpture about that that crosses cultures, that crosses societies, crosses gender, everything.

Kyle Jankowski [00:20:47]: And if the theory gets too heady and heavy, even if you're in business or in marketing, go back to some human stories. Go back to some relatable things that where you watch something or you went to a music festival or an art gallery or you were Out in a national park somewhere or it was a dinner table conversation with your grandmother or it was coffee with your neighbor who chain smokes sitting on the curb in your apartment block, but somehow has got a lot of wisdom to them in their grizzled life. Go back to what how did the light bulb turn on with those people? Bring that into and look for similar experiences out there in the world outside of the literature. Remind yourself of why you got into this. It's about halfway through your program, you're gonna say, why am I doing this? This is terrible. Am I gonna survive this? Sheer will and frustration And grit, it will not get you through it. There's got to be heart. There's gotta be passion.

Kyle Jankowski [00:21:46]: There's gotta be calling. There's gotta be vocation in the original sense of that and in the modern sense of that that brings you into it. And I can say that about my profession, and I can say that about the many forms I've taken with still true. When I don't feel that anymore, I'm done.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:22:00]: Now as you look back at the education that you had and you think about people that are coming beyond you, that are thinking about graduate school In many different areas, what are some tips that you might offer others considering graduate education that would help them find success sooner?

Kyle Jankowski [00:22:16]: Something that can't be replaced by AI. Something that is not trendy and fashionable right now where you can make a lot of money and be really hot with it and because You're disposable. Over specialization has its perks. It also has its major drawbacks when its time is done. And if you're not adaptable, that's gonna be a real problem for your ability to live and sustain yourself and make money and take care of your family and your other obligations. So if you there are people, though, that are Trendsetters and fame chasers and money chasers, and they're on they're in one thing, and they're on the next thing. They're on the next thing, and they've got kind of that gypsy personality, we might call it, and they can just jump from thing to thing to thing and actually be successful at There are very few people that are like that. And scientific systems personality tests like the Enneagram, the Myers Briggs, and others that are very reliable also back that up.

Kyle Jankowski [00:23:16]: And if you don't test as one of those people, you probably shouldn't do it despite the hype. I've seen I've had a lot of people show up in my office that have done that wanting to be their older brother or sister or their father or their mother who is that personality or their friends Chasing that type of thing, whether it's through modern media or it's through the business world or they followed a boyfriend or girlfriend or they thought it would be a cool profession. But they didn't have that deep conversation with themselves about why they're drawn to this and what their what their reasons are for getting into it. If your reasons are to appease someone else, That's gonna lead you to a lot of Volley also. You can do it for a long time, but you'll burn out. And when you burn out hard, you spend a lot of money and a lot of time, And then what are you gonna do? So a lot of younger people and a lot of people changing professions are concerned about wasting their opportunity. Well, the illusion that's put out there about a lot of the hype masters in professional fields is that you gotta do their field, and you gotta do their thing, and You gotta do what's the new thing. That's not as they said in the sixties, that's not where it's at.

Kyle Jankowski [00:24:22]: So, also, you can't just follow your passions if you don't have work ethic. Because if you don't have any grit, You're not going to do it when it's not fun, so you gotta be very honest with yourself about how motivated are you by pleasure, by immediate reward, By you get a big paycheck, these types of things, we can superficially say, like, oh, that's not me, or I'm not motivated by these things, Popularity, fame, whatever. But if you are that, again, there's gotta be that reckoning with yourself because it'll get yourself into trouble. It's been 9 years, and you haven't finished your 2 year master's degree because you've changed it over and over again. All the money spent and time. It's very preventable.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:25:00]: Okay. I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey today, for sharing everything that you just Talked about, but also challenging people to think about things in a little bit different way because I think it is important. It is important to be able to think outside of the conventional and be able to think about where your goals are leading you, what where your aspirations are leading you, And it may not be in the conventional means, so I really encourage you all to listen to what Kyle just said and to consider that for yourself. But, Kyle, thank you for being here, and I wish you all the best.

Kyle Jankowski [00:25:34]: You're welcome. Thank you very much. I really enjoyed this.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:25:37]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflint.eduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon As we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at flint grad office at umflint.88. It's time to take a quick break and toss it over to producer Chris to learn what's going on in the NASBA world.

Embarking on a journey towards graduate education is a significant decision that can profoundly shape one's career and personal growth. In a recent episode of the Victors in Grad School Podcast hosted by Dr. Christopher Lewis, the conversation centered around the critical aspects of choosing the right graduate program. The episode provided valuable insights into the multifaceted process of selecting a program that aligns with individual aspirations and goals. Here, we delve into the key considerations and guidance offered, empowering prospective graduate students to make informed decisions.

Understanding Personal Goals and Aspirations

Dr. Lewis emphasized the importance of understanding personal goals and aspirations when considering graduate school. It's essential for individuals to reflect on their career ambitions, areas of interest, and long-term objectives to identify a program that resonates with their professional and academic trajectory. By gaining clarity on personal motivations, prospective graduate students can make informed choices that complement their individual aspirations, leading to a more fulfilling educational experience.

Impact of Graduate Education on Career Advancement and Personal Growth

Graduate education wields a profound influence on career advancement and personal growth. During the podcast, Dr. Lewis highlighted how advanced education can significantly impact earning potential and open up avenues for career progression. Understanding the link between graduate education and professional development is crucial in evaluating the long-term benefits and implications of pursuing a specific program.

Importance of Hard and Soft Skills

Beyond academic knowledge, the significance of honing both hard and soft skills in graduate education and employment was underscored. Graduate programs offer a rich environment for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities alongside specialized expertise, making it imperative for aspirants to seek programs that foster holistic skill development, enhancing their competitive edge in the job market.

Building a Professional Network

Networking opportunities provided by graduate programs are invaluable for fostering professional connections and broadening one's sphere of influence. Dr. Lewis shed light on the significance of building a professional network through graduate education, emphasizing how strong industry connections can bolster career prospects and provide access to mentorship and career opportunities.

Different Types of Graduate Programs

The podcast delved into the diverse array of graduate programs, encompassing master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and specialized degrees in various fields. Understanding the nuances and focal points of each program type is essential for applicants to align their academic pursuits with their professional goals and aspirations.

Application Process and Requirements

Navigating the intricacies of the application process, including GPA considerations, admission requirements, test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, was a focal point of the discussion. Dr. Lewis provided valuable insights into the common questions found on graduate school applications and advised applicants to diligently complete all requirements to facilitate a seamless application process.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Exploring avenues for financial aid, scholarships, and potential employer education benefits was emphasized as an integral part of evaluating graduate programs. Dr. Lewis underscored the importance of seeking out scholarship opportunities, understanding application deadlines, and exploring fully funded options to alleviate the financial burden of advanced education.

Quality of Graduate Program and Campus Life

The quality of a graduate program extends beyond academic curriculum, encompassing faculty background, student-faculty ratio, resources, and campus life. Prospective students were encouraged to delve into the nuances of campus life, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the support services available, ensuring a conducive and enriching educational environment.

Selecting the right graduate program entails a comprehensive assessment of personal goals, program dynamics, financial considerations, and campus life. The insights shared in the Victors in Grad School podcast equip aspiring graduate students with essential guidance to navigate this pivotal decision, empowering them to embark on a transformative educational journey that aligns with their aspirations and sets the stage for future success.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Thank you so much for being here today. I am doctor Lewis. I'm the director of graduate programs here at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you here today. And, as I said right before, if you have as you're joining, Just make sure that you put your full name in the breakdown, of who you are so that we know so that I do know who who is attending, so We can contact you and reach out afterwards with a follow-up. But today we're gonna be talking about choosing the right graduate program. There are so many different graduate programs that are out there, and it's so important to be able to do the things that you need to do to find the program that is the right fit for you. Whether that's here at the University of Michigan Flint or wherever you plan to go, there are things that you can do today That will help you to be able to find that right fit.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:09]: And there may be more than 1 right fit as well, But there's good questions that you need to be asking and things that you can be doing as you're going through this process of searching And reviewing and exploring the programs for yourself. And that's what I hope to be able to share with you today, to be able to help you in that. So Let's talk about a few things we're gonna be covering today. So couple things that we're gonna be covering today. These are a few things that we're gonna be covering today. Wanna talk to you about Looking internally at the goals, the aspirations, the things that that you have for yourself that are important to you, so that you know why you're doing what you're doing, but also what you're looking for As you're exploring these different graduate programs because you have to know yourself to be able to best advocate for yourself to know the program that's going to be the right fit. You also need there's some definitely some different factors, some different things to look at as you're going from program to program and you're reviewing those programs. So I wanna make sure that you have some context there to be able to know what to look for there, Understanding the graduate student experience, and then we're also gonna be talking about the application process as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:29]: So let's talk a little bit about your goals and aspirations. Went too far there. 1st and foremost, as you're considering graduate school, every person has to take the time to be able to really look internally amongst yourself to be able to better understand why are you going to do this, what are you trying to accomplish, What are the goals that you have set before yourself? Is it that you're in a career and you want to move to the next phase of that career? Or you've talked to people about being able to get into a specific job in the in the place that you're In or you see yourself in a different company or in doing something else down the road. And to get there, you need a certain type of degree Or a certain a graduate credential behind your name. There's lots of different factors, lots of different reasons that people choose to go to graduate school and understanding that for yourself is going to help you to be able to then take that next step to look at different programs and understand what you need to be doing To be able to look at those programs and understand what that program is going to offer you and whether that is going to help you to get to where you want to be. And then also as you are looking at that next phase, and this kinda goes into the looking at the programs that we're gonna be talking about and some of the factors, Is looking at the different opportunities and resources that are available to you as you are looking at, the future. There are different resources that are available that if you really need to really delve a little bit deeper into setting goals for yourself And being able to understand your aspirations a little bit more. There are things that are out there online that you can turn to to be able to Better understand what your skill set is, where your strengths lie, where maybe some of your weaknesses lie So that you can then say, well, based on those strengths, based on those weaknesses, what might be a graduate program that I might be interested in as well? Now you may say to yourself, I already know what program I'm looking at.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:46]: I know the institutions that I'm interested in. That's great. But if you don't, Taking the time ahead of time to get to know yourself is the first is a first step for you to be able to make sure that you are able to, move forward. So a couple of things that I want to I always want to touch on, and this is some kind of some interesting factors As you're looking at graduate school and graduate education, graduate education has a huge impact on career advancement and personal growth. All of studies, if you look out, across many there's many different studies that are out there. But if you look at, this is just 1 study that I pulled. The and this one study, on average, employees with their bachelor's degree earn a medium average about 61,000 over the course of their career, While employees possessing a master's degree earn 78,000 per year. And then as you continue to get those additional credentials, you had the opportunity to be able to expand that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:46]: And all of these are based on specific career areas too, and the amount that you can make in those careers can vary greatly Based on the career aspect as well. Now Georgetown University Center on On, education in the workforce found that not only in the sense of just annual income Is there a exponential increase? But over the lifetime of a career, you can Make so much more by getting that graduate credential. So you can see here that individuals with bachelor's degrees Can earn up to 2,270,000 over the lifetime. And with an advanced degree, you can earn up to 30% more. So there is a lot of opportunities there for you to be able to expand in many different ways. Not only does it expand your earning potential, but it also increases your opportunities for getting hired And increases the opportunities for you to get a promotion. So as you're looking at these different opportunities and you may be choosing to go to graduate school because of that, But 36% of employers reported that they would be unlikely to promote Someone who didn't have a college degree and 27% of the employees employers are seeking candidates with a master's degree or above. So all of those pieces are really important as you're thinking about these.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:07:22]: And then as you're looking at your graduate education, As you're looking at the graduate programs that you're considering, many employers are looking for people that have Not only direct hard skills, things that you're learning in the classroom that are preparing you academically, But they're really looking for those soft skills. So taking advantage and looking for programs that give you opportunities for things like internships or externships or clinical experiences, Work study. Any of these type of opportunities that allow for you to get that practical experience is really important And gives you an opportunity to be able to learn the the soft skills and the hard skills that you're going to be needing. So soft skills, when I'm talking about soft skills, That's typically out of class learning, things that you might learn in an internship, an externship, a work study like I have on here, Things like time management, collaboration, creative thinking, problem solving, working with others, you know, all kinds of factors like those are things that That employers are looking for as you are looking at going for that. On top of this, be being in a graduate program builds your network. It gives you not only a network of people from academia, faculty members that have their own networks that they can tap you into, but on top of that, There are others that are in the program with you that you can build on and work with to be able to build that professional network for yourself as well. So let's talk a little bit about graduate programs. So there are many different graduate programs that are out there.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:09:03]: There's tons of different Graduate, there's tons of different graduate programs that are available to you as a, as a student. And it's important for you to be able to understand and to know what type of graduate programs are out there, but also How do you find what the differences are in those graduate programs? So first and foremost, as we're looking at different graduate programs, I'm gonna say there's a couple of different things that you need to be thinking about as you are going to look at the differences between graduate programs. 1st and I'm gonna start with this the first the 2nd bullet point here is the first one. 1st is the type of degree. So There are master's degrees, there are doctor degrees, depends on and depending on the type of degree that you're looking at will depend on how long that program is. So a master of arts, a master of science, you may be looking at a PhD, an EdD. There are specific degrees in specific areas. Like In social work, you have MSW.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:10]: So many different types of degrees that are out there, And depending on the degree itself may determine what you have to do to be able to get the degree itself as well. So you have to look at that and look at the focus of the programs themselves. Every program is a little bit different. I saw that 1 person on here was interested in, some in in biology or communications. And A general master's in communications is is one aspect, but then many times within the programs, there are concentrations, There are opportunities to take specific courses, and that goes back to what are you trying to get out of this? Are you trying to get a better understanding of what let's say with communication. Are you trying to become, are you trying to find program that is going to help you to be a better communicator or a better communication leader within your organization. Do Do you wanna understand organizational communications? Do you want to do something that is more, targeted toward, maybe a combination of communications and marketing. There there's lots of different there's lots of different programs that are out there.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:32]: Do you wanna do something that has more of a, You know, a journalistic aspect to it that is more creative writing and communications. You know, there's there's every program is a little bit different, In every program based on the faculty that are in the program, the programs will have a little bit different spin. So each program is unique, And you need to be able to really read well and ask good questions about what the program goals are, What they want students to take out of the program and based on what they want you to take out of the program and the classes that you're taking, is that going to get you To those aspirational goals that you've set for yourself, or is there a different program that will help you to get there better? The program could be at a public university, a private university, you know, depending on that will determine the size of the program and you wanna look at that too Because, you know, if a program has an open admission policy and on average, they're bringing in a 100 new students every every term, That's a pretty big program versus a program that brings in 2 or 3 students a year, and then it becomes a very competitive program. And the and with a very small program, you're gonna know that you you are going to have a lot more expectation to be very actively involved in that education. The difference between undergrad and graduate work is the the focus of the of the the topics that you're gonna be talking about In undergrad, for those that have never gone to graduate school, you're gonna find that in graduate school, you are really delving deep into that specific targeted topic that you wanna go into. Many students love going to graduate school because of the fact that you are focusing on something that you're passionate about Versus in an undergraduate degree, you tend to be focusing somewhat on that, but then also taking other courses To get to the end goal of getting the bachelor's degree itself. So these are things that you need to be thinking about. These are things that you need to be looking at, And I always tell students that as you're comparing programs, set up a Excel spreadsheet, set up a Google A sheet and build out some columns in that spreadsheet for yourself that looks To each of the unique programs and each of the, each of the program and what each program offers And try to align the questions and have and be able to set the questions that you have for each program the same So that you can find out, okay, what is this program offering me? What is this program offering me? What is this program offering me? And then you can look at them side by side, And you can align what each offers you to find the program that has that good fit for yourself.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:14:38]: Also in graduate work, you have a lot of opportunities here to be able to engage very closely with faculty and with research. With many graduate degrees, there's lots of opportunities for practical experience, but also research experience, And and that's an important thing because it, again, lets you delve deeper. Some graduate programs will require research, Will require that you have a thesis at the end or some large research project at the end. If you're in a doctorate, You have a dissertation typically at the end, so it's important to understand what is the expectation in the program For you to be a learner, for you to be a researcher, for you to be a writer, and make sure that Whatever those expectations are within the program that it aligns with what you're looking for and what you're comfortable with. And I'm gonna say That you're comfortable with but that at times you sometimes wanna push yourself too, out of your comfort zone, into something you might not be comfortable with But that will push you, challenge you, and prepare you for the future as well. But research is a It's a great opportunity for you to be able to find faculty with similar interests and be able to tap into them. There's nothing that says that you can't Reach out to faculty. Look at the websites because many times faculty will be listed and you'll be able to see Who those faculty members are and what their interest areas are, and you can always reach out.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:13]: Ask them questions. Explain your own interest, Especially if the program is a, is a program that is a has limited seats, Being able to reach out early, have those conversations, learn more about the faculty, show that interest that you have in the program, It may give you a little bit of a leg up or may not. Some programs, especially on the PhD side, will require That you do that research ahead of time and you find a faculty member that would work with you on a research topic. So we have a PhD in computing here at the at the University of Michigan Flint. One of the requirements of that program is that you're going to be doing your due diligence, You're going to be then reaching out to faculty members after you've looked at the faculty, they're at their research, And you found someone that is willing to work with you on a research topic. So that is a unique factor of that program alone, But you need to look at each program that you're considering to be able to understand and better be able to align and see, Is this program fit? Does that program fit with what I'm looking for? Couple other things to think about. Accreditation is very important. You may or may not have ever heard that word, but accreditation is what pro every program should have some type of accreditation.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:17:46]: Many programs are accredited by a national body, A body that will say that, that this program has gone through the steps to make sure that Not only is there are there courses and are is the academic solid, but it's preparing students well, and it's getting students prepared for the workforce. They look at Metrics in regards to, career placement. After the fact, they look at entering credentials. It's a very Extensive process that, oh, that assures you that the Program is of quality, so you wanna look at that. Wanna make sure that if a program is on probation, that they're taking the step, because sometimes programs will be get get put on probation for small things, things that are not, you know, vastly problematic, But they might be they need to make a tweak in in in some courses or they need to make a tweak in something else. So sometimes you'll see that a program says we're on probation, for our accreditation. Ask a question. Just say, what does that mean? What are you working on to get out of Out of that probationary, period, sometimes programs have to start on on probation.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:19:01]: So if it's a new program, They might not have that initial accreditation for a year or so, so ask those questions. Are you accredited? Who are you accredited through? And and ask that along the way. Program reputation, this was a little bit harder to come by. You can always go online and there's lots of sites that will say this is the best program for this. I always Tell students to be wary of those because a lot of those are either, one, Being created through surveys of peers. So peer every year, let's say for US News and World Report, US News and World Report sends out an email to people all over the country and they say, who do you think is the best education program For education graduate program, and they'll ask lots of different questions about what you know about different programs. Well, The problem is is that there's many different education programs that are out there, and the people that are filling these surveys out may or may not know about other programs. So what happens with a lot of these entities is that they are a starting place, but they can be subjective.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:20:23]: And because they either are being made from surveys of peers or surveys that are sent to institutions, so For the latter, institutions sometimes will get these surveys, they'll fill them out themselves, And then they learn, okay, what is this group really looking for? And they can make tweaks to move their ranking up as well. So I just always warn people to say if you look at US News and World Report, if you look at, any of these other ones that are out there and you see these rankings that are out there, you can use them as a starting point, But just know that there are many other programs that might end up being a better fit, and they may not be on that list, but that doesn't mean That they are bad programs. It just means that that for some reason or another, they're not showing up there. And So I always encourage you to look beyond the national rankings per se and find the questions, The factors, the things that are most important to you, and then look into the programs. Again, setting them side by side And seeing how the programs answer your questions to be able to make sure that you're finding the program that's the best fit, Not just the program that comes up on a list as the best program per se. You also wanna look at the program format, but also the lifestyle that you will have as a part of that program. So when I talk about program format, 1st and foremost, what that means is is is how it how is the how are the courses being offered? Is this a fully in person program? Is it a Hybrid program where you'll have some in person, some online. Is it a fully in person program Where you're coming in with a cohort of students, and you're gonna be with those students from the beginning of the program to the end of the program.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:22:27]: Is it a full time program where you're gonna be taking Fourteen to 16 credits every term. Is it a part time program where you may be working Full time and taking some classes at night or on the weekend. You know, look at the types of formats that are out there. What works best for you and what works best for the life that you're trying to live? Many students are not able to just automatically quit their job if they have a job already. They're trying and they may be trying to say, look at a program that they can fit into the work that they're doing and then they can utilize that work to be able to Then, be able to, take classes while you're working. But if you're looking at, hey, I'm stopping work Where I'm moving to a brand new area and I wanna do this, I wanna get done as quickly as possible to be and I wanna just completely focus on this, Then a full time program probably would be a great opportunity. You also wanna look back at what I said before. Are there opportunities within the program for you to be able to get practical experience, Not just in class experience, but practical experience, whether that's through graduate assistantships, Whether that's through internships, externships, clinical opportunities, what type of opportunities are there? How many can you take advantage of? Because the more especially for the programs that are very tangible about the outcome at the end of what you're gonna be using that for, Having practical experience will not only broaden your network, but it will also offer you opportunities to be able to hone those skills That you're going to need to be the practitioner that you want to be in the end.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:24:26]: You also wanna look at again, as you're factoring and looking at these, you wanna look at the what Are the admission requirements? What are the what are the qualifications for you to be able to be even be considered for the program? What are the requirements for getting for applying And for getting accepted into the program, each program is going to be unique. Many programs will may have a GPA, a certain GPA that they're gonna be looking at. They may be having a, letters of recommendation, personal statements, maybe a test score. Some programs will require either a GRE or an MCAT or a GMAT or an LSAT. You know, it just depends on the type of degree that you're interested in, but you're going to need to look at the websites, and the website should be very clear. They should explain everything that you need to be doing to apply to that institution and be considered for admission. So you want to make sure that That is something that on that spreadsheet that we were talking about, put those in there too. Make sure that you're adding that into the mix So that stew so that that as a potential student that you know what you have to do.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:25:39]: You also wanna look at how do you have to apply. There are some programs at some institutions where you just apply through the regular website. There may be an application fee, there may not. There may be opportunities for you to get an application fee waiver, and maybe not. So it just depends. Some some some institutions don't even have an application fee. There are other programs that use what are called credential assembly service, CAS application systems. So at our institution, we have a few of those.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:26:12]: So our physical therapy, our occupational therapy, our physician assistant Studies and our public health programs all use different CAS application systems. What that means is it is a external application system That you use to be able to pull all your documents together, and then you it allows you to apply to Many different programs across the United States that are available to you, and it's a one stop place for you to be able to say, I have these 5 programs. Here's the 5 programs. I wanna apply to all 5 of these. Once your file is complete, You then can easily submit those and you pay the application fee through that that that Cas application system itself. But each program is gonna be a little bit unique, so you wanna make sure that you really look closely at what those differences are. And At the same time, look at the timeline because there are some programs that have very hard application deadlines, There are other programs that may admit students on a rolling application basis, meaning that as Applications come in and they're complete, they will be considered, and that they'll consider them up to a certain point. So if they say the final deadline for fall of 2024 is August 1st, well, that's the hard deadline.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:27:40]: Well, it's January, Let's say right now and as you are looking at being admitted for that fall term, you would want to then say, Okay. I can apply at any point between now and August 1st knowing that if you have everything in tomorrow And everything's complete, they're the program will consider you. There are other programs that will say you have to have your application in by this date for Early admission and this date for regular admission. So every program is just a little bit different and you have to look at that closely. The class size, again, important, good question to ask is to say, is there a certain number of Seats that you have within this graduate program, some programs have a set number of seats that they can admit. Others will be just an open admission type of process looking for the best fit, and they'll continue to fill. Also, that student faculty ratio. The big difference between a program that has, you know, 5 full time faculty members and you have 60 incoming students every fall versus 5 full time faculty members in, let's say, 10.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:28:56]: That faculty student ratio is gonna be very different and you're gonna have a lot more one to 1 connection In that class of 10, then you are in 60. So, again, just something to ask and to look at. Also financial aid and scholarships. Different institutions will offer different types of, financial aid packages in In scholarships that are available, I always encourage graduate students to fill out the FAFSA. No matter if you think you're going to get financial aid or not, if you're a domestic student, Filling out the the federal application for for or the free application for federal student aid is very important because it will, at times, Allow for you to be able to be considered for scholarships that may be available at the institution. You also need to look at the institution to determine whether or not there are unique Scholarships and if there are specific processes you need to follow to be able to be considered for those scholarships. So for example, Internally here at the University of Michigan Flint, we have some scholarships that are donor based scholarships that you have to apply through our financial aid office 4. So and there are specific deadlines that you have to follow to be able to do that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:30:10]: So you want to make sure that you wanna make sure that if you do have or if there are specific deadlines for those scholarships, so you don't miss those. If you're an international student, sometimes students sometimes there are scholarships that are specific to that population, so you have to look at that as well. If you're looking at specific programs, sometimes there are program specific scholarships, and there may be specific criteria that you have to follow to be able to be considered for that as well. So it's just really important to be able to start early, look at the opportunities to be able to see, are there scholarships that are available? There are Some programs that may be fully funded graduate opportunities, but then there's many other opportunities that may have Small amounts of scholarship that would help you along the way, but they're not gonna completely pay for your graduate education as well. One of the other things that I'll that I'll put out there that, before I go into the internships and networking opportunities here is that One thing that I always encourage students to do as they're considering graduate school is if you're working full time, is to talk to your employer and let them know of the interest that you have in continuing your education, especially if it's something that would benefit you And benefit the work that you're going to be doing. Because many employers may have an education benefit That is there that you may not even be aware of. And it may be that your employer offers a a tuition reimbursement, Which basically means that you'll pay upfront and then you'll get reimbursed for maybe it's 1 class, maybe it's 2 classes a term, but That after the fact, they will reimburse you, or maybe they have a specific scholarship based program where You turn in and say, okay, I'm taking these 6 credits and they will pay for 3 upfront. Each each program is a little bit unique.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:32:11]: Each employer is a little bit unique, but many times, people don't realize it's That it is available as a benefit. So I encourage people to look into that, especially if it's especially if you're looking at a program that's going to enhance the work that you're doing. Because I know sometimes people are a little bit afraid of bringing that up, especially if the employer may think that it's gonna detract You from the work that you're doing. So you, you know, if you're asking those questions to HR and, you know, that's definitely something you have to just keep in mind that they might Say, well, how is this gonna impact, you know, your work? And you'll have to have an answer to that as well. We already talked about internships, But it is important to look at those when you're looking at graduate programs. Are there internships, externships, clinical opportunities available for you? And, being able to look at look at those as you're going along. And then also what type of alumni network is available And can you tap into that alumni network? How do you develop a network for yourself, whether it's through the interactions that you have with current students, Interactions with other students in other classes or alumni as well. So those are all factors that you need to be thinking about and looking at in general.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:33:28]: So couple things, and I'm just gonna kinda go through a number of these. So how do you determine the quality of a good graduate program? So 1st and foremost, you wanna look at your faculty. In when you're looking at graduate work, faculty relationships are so critical and so key. So you wanna look at what what type of background do the faculty that are teaching you have? Have they, You know, have they been teaching for a long time? What is their academic background? Were they working in the field? And are they bringing some of that back to you as a, as a student. And, what type of classes are they are they teaching in? Are there are they teaching in some specific areas, specific areas where they may have had direct experience in? Look at those type of things to be able to better understand who is gonna be teaching you and what are they gonna be able to to, In the end, teach you to be able to be the practitioner, the, the practitioner that you want to be down the road. How accessible are the resources on campus, and how accessible is it for you to be able to access the faculty? That goes into that faculty to student ratio. That also goes back to the opportunities that you have for for research. You know, it's definitely a question to say, you know, for me, it's really important to be able to have a close relationship with my faculty member.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:35:03]: And how easy is it for students to develop those relationships with faculty? One of the other things that you can do and you can ask of any program is to say, is there a current student that I can talk to? That I could talk to about their experience in the program. And most graduate programs are gonna be more than willing to Find someone that you can talk to to connect with, to be able to get a better feel for, 1, is this the right program for you? And 2, You know, here, what they as students are are experiencing in class, out of class, and see if that type of experience, what they've had Is a similar experience that you wanna have? What are the facilities like on campus? Is it up to date? Is it, is it something that is going to offer you, state of the art opportunities to be able to hone your skills and help you to be able to push you in the direction that you wanna go and and push you toward the the things that you want to learn. What's the social environment like? Now this may not be as big of a deal for you, especially if you're looking at an online program or or a hybrid program where primarily you're gonna be taking things, online from afar and you're not taking advantage of the social aspects. But if you are gonna be on campus, either part time or full time, that's an important thing. It's to look at what type of opportunities are there to connect With others to build that network, to be able to create those relationships with others, and then also looking at alumni. And this is another good question to ask Programs that you have an interest in is what are your alumni doing? What are some of the pathways that they've followed after getting that degree At your institution, is there someone that is an alum that I can talk to, that they would be willing to talk to me about their experience And how it helped them to be able to get to where they are. Those are all questions that are fair game And definitely something that you should ask because it's something that will help you to better understand the program and to better understand what that program can offer you in the end. So as you're looking at the experience of a student of a graduate student, as I said, Reach out, talk to the programs that you have an interest in, be able to better on to better understand what the student experience is like.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:37:36]: So ask students, what is the experience like in class? What is the experience like out of class? You know, why did they choose this program, And what have they found since they've been in the program? What are they like most? What are they like? What are they like least? What do they wish they knew before they started in the program at that institution. Those are all great questions and things that will help you as you prepare yourself for for the future. Campus life, building, we talked about that in the last slide a little bit. But But especially if you're gonna be on campus, those are factors and things that you'll want to definitely look at and see. And then, couple other things just to think about Is the, the the university's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion? If if that is important to you and more for more and more students that I talk to, it is. You wanna look at look at the faculty that you're going to be having. Look Get the opportunities on campus. Look at the things that the that the university is doing to support diversity, equity, inclusion on campus and whether that supports the needs that you have as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:38:49]: Support services, there's lots of support services that are on different campuses, for disability services, for, academic resources, and what are the what's the library like? Is there tutoring available? You know, lots of different is there a writing center on campus? You know, all kinds of factors like those. Those are all things that you should be asking and looking into Because you never know what type of services you may need to be able to support you, to help you to find success in the future. Couple other things, just to keep in mind. Again, understanding the application process, wanna make sure that That you do understand the application process. The because there will be some typical things that they're gonna be asking for. I'll kind of bring some of those up. There's different types of applications. I already talked about those.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:39:44]: The questions on the applications are typically going to be pretty similar. Especially Generic wise, they're gonna wanna know more about you, your demographics, you know, what you're going to need. If you're a domestic, international student, there's different needs. There there may be specific questions on the application that are program specific as well that you'll need to answer along the way. The biggest piece as you're going through that application is to make sure that you answer everything fully. You don't wanna leave anything to chance. Leave any blanks that then the the institution is going to have to follow-up with you on because if they do, There is the chance that then your applications kinda just sits out there until we get the answers to those questions. Test scores, Definitely something that many that that some schools will require.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:40:35]: You'll have to make sure that those official test scores are submitted From the test agency. Same with your transcripts. Some universities will allow for unofficial copies of the transcripts to be sent to be considered. Others will require official copies of your transcripts to be to be sent, to be considered. Some Some institutions will allow for unofficials, but then by the end of your 1st term, official transcripts will have to be received Because we know that some students will still be working on that that undergraduate degree and finishing that up. But In the end, by the end of your 1st term, you will have to make sure that your application, or that your transcripts are in Because otherwise, you won't be able to continue taking classes. So every institution's a little bit different. You need to look at that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:41:24]: Couple other things, letters of recommendation. It's pretty common that Letters of recommendation wise that you, that that many institutions will require letters of recommendation. Sometimes it's People from your past in academia. So you might ask for a faculty member letter of recommendation or a person that is in a field of practice, professional reference, so you have to look at that and what they're looking for. And some programs will require inter an interview as well, So you do have to look at that too. Thank you very much for being here today. Really appreciate your time. I hope that this has been helpful, And stay in touch.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:42:06]: Let us know if you have any other questions. Again, my my email, our email here Is flint grad office at umich.edu. Feel free to reach out and to ask any questions that you might have. We'd be happy to help in any way that we can, whether you're planning to attend the University of Michigan Flint or not. You know, we want you to be successful In the journey that you're on. So I highly encourage you to do that and to reach out further. Thank you for your time. Have a wonderful day, And go blue.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:42:38]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing Your education, whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our programs, visit umflint.edu/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you Prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at [email protected].

Entering graduate school is a significant decision that often requires careful planning, finding the right resources, and making the necessary adjustments for success. In a recent episode of "Victors in Grad School," hosted by Dr. Christopher Lewis, the conversation with Samara Hough, the director of the Center for Gender and Sexuality at the University of Michigan Flint, provided invaluable insights into her graduate school journey, including her decision to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, the challenges she faced, and the resources available for success. This blog post aims to expand on the key points discussed in the podcast, offering a comprehensive guide for prospective graduate students.

Exploring the Decision to Pursue Graduate School

Samara shared her unconventional path to graduate school, which began with an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and six years of work experience in the nonprofit sector and state agencies. Her decision to pursue an MSW stemmed from the urge to expand her skills and knowledge beyond what her undergraduate degree offered. This emphasizes the importance of gaining practical experience before embarking on graduate studies, as it allows individuals to identify their areas of interest and potential career paths. Prospective graduate students can benefit from taking a similar approach by gaining work experience to better understand their academic and professional aspirations.

Researching and Choosing the Right Program

When Samara decided to pursue her MSW, she sought out the best program to fit her specific needs. Her experience serves as a reminder of the significance of researching and understanding the offerings of each program. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of exploring education opportunities, such as taking trial classes or talking with current students, to gain insights into the program's expectations and culture. Prospective students should thoroughly research potential graduate programs, considering factors such as course offerings, faculty expertise, and campus environment before making a decision.

Preparing for Success in Grad School

Transitioning into graduate school after several years in the workforce presented Samara with challenges and anxieties. She emphasized the importance of setting oneself up for success by leveraging support resources, such as academic advisors and building relationships with classmates. Prospective students should anticipate and prepare for the transition by seeking advice from current students or mentors, understanding program requirements, and familiarizing themselves with campus resources to facilitate a smooth adjustment into the academic environment.

Connecting Graduate Education to Professional Practice

Samara's insightful reflection on the link between her MSW education and her current work in higher education underscores the practical benefits of graduate education. Her MSW concentration in family systems and grounding in group dynamics and crisis management aligns with her role in the Center for Gender and Sexuality. This connection highlights the importance of aligning graduate education with career aspirations and professional practice. Prospective students should seek programs that offer practical experiences and specialized knowledge that complements their desired career paths.

Finding Support and Resources

Through her work, Samara actively supports students through mental health and crisis concerns. She emphasized the need for graduate students to seek out available resources and support systems on campus, such as mental health services, student organizations, and diverse community programs. It is essential for prospective graduate students to explore and connect with the support resources available within the campus and surrounding community, ensuring holistic support throughout their academic journey.

Samara's experience provides valuable insights for prospective graduate students, emphasizing the significance of thoughtful deliberation when considering graduate education, choosing the right program, and preparing for success. Her journey underscores the interplay between graduate education, professional practice, and community engagement. By taking the time to research, prepare, and seek out available resources, prospective graduate students can navigate the challenges of graduate school effectively and set themselves up for a successful and fulfilling academic experience.

In conclusion, Samara's journey in graduate school exemplifies the importance of a thoughtful, diligent approach to graduate education. Aspiring graduate students can draw inspiration from her experiences to make informed decisions, address challenges, and leverage available resources for a successful academic journey.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victor's in Grad School. I'm your host, Doctor Christopher Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan, Flint, really excited to have you back again this week. This week, as always, we are on a journey together. I know that you are either you're on that journey for graduate school, whether it's You're at the very beginning just thinking about graduate school. You're in the thick of it. You've been admitted. You're starting the program, or you're in the thick of it, and you're Actually, in the program and you see that light at the end of the tunnel, no matter where you are, there are things that you can do to find in that graduate school journey, and that's important. So every week, I love being able to talk with you, to work with you, to help you along this journey, To be able to help you to learn some different things, some different skills, some different things that others have done that will help you In the journey that you're gonna be on.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:04]: I also love being able to introduce you to different people every week that have gone before you, that have gone to graduate school, And have some of their own perspective, but also might have some other resources to share. And this week, we got another great guest with us. Samara Howe is with us today, and Samara is the director of the Center For Gender and Sexuality at the University of Michigan Flint, but she has her own graduate school story. We're gonna talk about that as well. Samara, thanks so much for being here today.

Samara Hough [00:01:32]: Thank you for inviting me. This is exciting.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:34]: Well, I'm really excited to have you On and 1st and foremost, we're gonna talk about that graduate journey that you went on yourself. And I'm gonna turn the clock back in time because I know you did your undergraduate work at the University of Michigan And then went on from there, a little while down the path as you decided to continue your education and getting an MSW from from Wayne State University. So during that time, whether it be during undergrad or during your work experience, Talk to me about what made you decide that you wanted to go to graduate school?

Samara Hough [00:02:08]: Yes. Well, Chris, it's a interesting journey. I actually had to plan Host be, grad undergraduate to, take 2 years off and get experience, and that turned actually into 6 years of work history, working in a nonprofit realm, working in for the state. There was a time period where I was a CPS worker, and it was actually during that time where Where I thought I felt like there was a kind of a limit. Like, I had reached my limit of kind of what experiences I could get with Which is having the BSW under my belt or, actually, having the BA under my belt because U of M did not have a BSW program at U of M Ann Arbor. Thankfully, here, We have a BSW and a MSW program here at U of M Flint. By the time, I didn't have that option, and so I was just trying to figure out How I can really build my skills and help families over case management, over, like, really dealing with some of the clinical aspects of Kind of really the origins of what may have gotten folks stuck, whether it be emotionally or mental health wise or what have you. And so I thought I went to get my MSW degree and started shopping around institutions.

Samara Hough [00:03:20]: Actually went first to U of M and I were kind of that I optioned because I was also a working student. I was working full time at U of M Ann Arbor. I really felt that Wayne State gave me an opportunity to work Part we're working my master's part time, and so that was what part of the draws there. And then also just working in the city and just, The learning in the city of Detroit, that was something that was really a big draw for me. My classmates were also working folks And at the time as well, expanding my family, got married, all those kinds of things were happening all while my working part time on my master's degree And working in a crisis agency in Detroit. So that was a little that's a snapshot on that journey. I actually walked across the stage while gosh. I was probably 6 months pregnant at the time when I walked across the stage, and my daughter is now 12.

Samara Hough [00:04:14]: So that's a little bit of my, experience there. It was not a direct route. And even with that indirect route, I still think, Yeah. There was definitely lessons learned there in the journey.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:24]: Now you said that you looked around and you tried to identify the best program for yourself. You chose Wayne State University's MSW program, and every person has different things they're looking for, different reasons. Talk to me about what made Wayne State The right program for you at the time.

Samara Hough [00:04:40]: I think in part, there are pros and cons to going to a very large institution. I would say my undergraduate experience at U of M Had, again, like, its pros and cons. I wanted a different kind of individual experience as best as I could. So I felt like Wayne State gave more individualized even though it's a bigger Campus as well, but it was definitely rooted in the city as well. And, honestly, it gave a kind of U of M Flint feeling, to be honest, where It's a campus, but it's also in the city, and there was that aspect of it. So I think there was that and then the course offerings. So I actually had a opportunity to take a course there at Wayne State. We could take up to, like, 8 credits without being a a full time or part time students.

Samara Hough [00:05:25]: And so I took a couple classes there and really enjoyed the instructors, Again, the students and it gave me, like, a trial run, I think, of kind of what to see if if this was something that would be a good fit for me. I think the also, the other route is I was a psychology and women's studies double major, and so didn't doesn't have a didn't have MSW program as I mentioned, A BSW program as I mentioned, and so I was kind of in between. Should it be psychology or should it be actually MSW? And so I've I've been talking to other folks Who were clinicians, whether it be clinical psychologists or, licensed social workers. I felt like the social work route gave me more flexibility. And I Also, at the time, wasn't all the way interested in the PhD route, and so that's something that usually if you go with a master's in psychology, you'd wanna go the full Routes to be able to do the work that you're looking to do. So that's a little bit about I think, for me, I had the opportunity for to try it on.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:19]: It's nice when you can Do that, and you can have the opportunity to go in and go through that opportunity to test out your professors or test out the campus, test out the feel to see, do I feel like this is the right fit for me? And not everybody has that opportunity, so it's good that you had that opportunity to take advantage of. And it may not be something that Students even think about to consider or think about to try if they are really on the fence of trying to figure out for themselves, is this program really the right right place for me? Is is that might be an option, is to talk to the program and say, you know, I know I've been admitted here. You know, I've been admitted quite a while back. Is there is it possible for me to take a class or sit in on a class And see, you know, what the classes are like and get a feel for it. And not every program probably has even been asked that question, So it's not a bad thing to ask and see if you can take advantage of that. Now you found success in the graduate school journey. And as you said, it was about 6 years or so after you got your bachelor's degree and you'd been working, So there was definitely a transition that you had to make to get back into the groove, get back into school. So as you think about that, What did you have to do to set yourself up for success as you transitioned into grad school, but what did you also have to do to maintain that success throughout the graduate school experience.

Samara Hough [00:07:48]: Yeah. Like, I think when I was in my bachelor's degree, I struggled a bit. And so I had that kind of, oh, Kind of worry of, can I handle all of the demand? Like, that kind of concern. And so for me, like, I Took some time to that taking the time and take classes did help. And then also, I I was talking with my adviser about the plan, what I'd like To do with this degree was a part of that. And then, honestly, like, as you get started going back to school, it was kind of a bit of nostalgia, like, To getting my books and, you know, 1st day of class and getting, like, the materials. And then it it was a settling that happened. I think it was just really that initial, like, step that made it have that anxiousness a little bit, butterflies, but I think utilizing those resources, Like your adviser, talking to other students that have been there and really prior to you starting.

Samara Hough [00:08:43]: The building those relationships, I think, are really important.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:45]: Now you did get a degree as a MSW, and you're working in higher education now. Little bit of a different field, but definitely still some parallels In regards to to at least what I see in regards to the the the skill set. But I guess as you think back to the graduate education that you went through And what you're doing now, how do you find that what you learned in your graduate degree prepared you for the work that you do daily?

Samara Hough [00:09:13]: That's a big question. People often think social workers the surprise that their social worker is in higher education. I think there's a growing trend of seeing more of us Even prior to COVID, in terms of supporting students through mental health or crisis concerns, or as I mentioned to you, I was a nontraditional student, Parenting, all the stresses of all of those different things, and I think, you know, we bring that to in our classroom. You know, we're studying and learning, and then also Life is happening at the same time. So I think some of those experiences, like like, I think of some of the courses that I took as far as, Diversity, equity, and inclusion, our center supports members of the LGBTQIA plus community and intersecting identities within them. And so we think about How we are inclusive in our work, how are we really thinking about, you know, identity and elevating voices, and when we think about, You know, communities of color. Like, all those pieces are are central to how we approach our programming. I would also say, our students, Everyone is open to be in the center.

Samara Hough [00:10:17]: So students come in and out and participate in some of our groups settings, like, core Thursdays and women talk Wednesdays. I mean, those are essentially, like, group support groups, but they're not tagged as support groups. Right? And so and so we offer support to our students. So I think definitely those the grounding in group dynamics, Crisis management skills, because we also support survivors of sex and gender based violence in our office, providing advocacy. Those were all things that, you know, Where courses were things that we're kinda rooted in in in social work. And I would say too, you know, my concentration was in family systems. And so really thinking about How families operate. And then social work really centers around a really core belief that it's the person and the environment.

Samara Hough [00:11:02]: So what's going on behaviorally? What may be someone's response to something is is not just that it is what something is it's not that something is wrong with them, but We're thinking about analyzing, like, what's the ecology? Like, what is going on, that's surrounding that person that's also in the environment? How they respond to community based violence that's happening in where they live, or maybe there are some things happening generationally when it comes to trauma, or what are some things that are limitations or gaps In terms of services that are available in this community, those are all things that impact individuals, impact our students, impact our families, impact children. So I think Having that mindset is helpful in helping to navigate and guide the direction of the center and also a response to our students. And one thing I think is interesting too, you know, social workers, we're often collaborating with other nonprofit agencies on behalf of or Support of of a of someone, individual or family, and that happens as a part of the division of student affairs. So, like, I'm working at Harvard Student Affairs Connected with the Intercultural Center. I'm connected with CALVS. I'm connected across campus. I'm the dean of students on behalf of of students, the the title nine office. You know, these are all units that we work with on a regular basis.

Samara Hough [00:12:15]: And so I think having that grounding of that grassroots nonprofit social work experience Also translates here in higher education.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:23]: So you just talked about a lot of the things that your center does, and I think that as students are considering graduate School, I always say that one of the things that they need to look at are the resources that are available on campus, and we've had some people on, On, the show in the past talking about veteran services or disability services, and you're talking about other services that are available. So Talk to me about some of your thoughts, especially with the populations that your center works with. If you were to talk to Students from the population that you're working with. What are some of the things that you would say to them that they should be really on the look for On the lookout for when they're looking at prospective graduate programs, but also the resources that are available in or around the campus that could support their graduate education.

Samara Hough [00:13:13]: Sure. I mean, I think one of the biggest pieces that we deal with through our center are Students' concern around safety, their sense of safety. What does that look like? Sense of belonging and also just, I would say, connection as well. And so What resources are available? I think, really, one of the things that we've worked hard at is that partnership, for instance, with CAPS. Right? So mental health services. So being able to know, like, There's nothing taboo about reaching out to therapy. If there's some things that you are maybe have never dealt with or talked about or something that occurred later in life that you need to kind of unpack, Those partnerships getting kind of shored up in terms of feeling in terms of your mental health and, that letting that be a practice of of self care. And I also think about socially.

Samara Hough [00:13:58]: What are some things that you can how we might be able to get involved? And I know that's harder for maybe some of us that are graduate students or may have other responsibilities outside of school, but I think those connections are can be so so vital because that can help, You know, learn more about resources that are on campus. You know, often students find us at the end of their career. You know, we when I think about Laverne Graduation, which is our Celebration of our LGBTQIA plus students. We've had students find out about Lavender Grad, like, literally their senior year, or they're like as they're exiting graduate Well, that has happened before. But, like, knowing that the center is available to to you beyond a beyond a crisis, but also we are available When you're in crisis, some folks didn't know we have emergency grants through the center. So I think making those connections and knowing what the services are and also, like, if there's Connected with SIL, there are opportunities that for student orgs to get involved in. Like, those are definitely things that you can still have access to even at the graduate grad level. When you think about With the Sorority of Fraternity Life, there are grad chapters that are very active on on our campus and in community in in the Flint area.

Samara Hough [00:15:03]: So I think just figuring out, like, finding your core groups So people, to connect with and then also knowing your resources and if you need something that At a critical level. But also, no, it doesn't have to be critical all the time.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:15:16]: I will echo what Samara just said because one of the things she just Talked about was getting involved and finding that community for yourself, and the community could be in your program. And especially if it's a full time program, And you're going to build that community with the core group of people you're going to be in courses with throughout your entire program. But if you're in a part time program, that community is a little bit fluid. So being able to find other communities that where you can connect with other like minded individuals is important And definitely something that will help you to find success and will support you in that success as you move Through your graduate education. So whether it's in one of the groups that that Samara just talked about, whether it's in some other kinda groups, It's finding the right place for yourself within your academic program, outside of your academic program that will help you to build that network for yourself, But also help you to build the support mechanisms that are going to be there throughout that educational experience. So I really appreciate you sharing that because I think that's so important and so important for students to for For any student, for anyone that is thinking about graduate education to think about it, because I think a lot of times, undergraduate students get drawn into it right away. And there's the campus life and the campus feel. And a lot of times, when you're going through graduate school, you're balancing a lot of different things, and the pressure is on, Especially when it comes to academic success and and and really focusing in on the On the on the academic components of the program, but there is student life that is available for graduate students too, and You can take part in anything that is happening on campus.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:17:07]: So it's important for you to find that for yourself so that you can find your ultimate fit, But also your group of people and find your ability to be able to find holistic success, not just academic success For you as you go through that program. Now, Samira, as you think back to your own graduate education, as you think back to The conversations, the work that you do with students on a regular basis for people that are thinking about graduate school no matter what field that they're in, Are there some tips that you might offer them that would help them find success sooner?

Samara Hough [00:17:46]: I think some of the things that may hold someone back are finding funding. And so I think finding out what fellowships or scholarships or what what, kinds of Funding opportunities that may exist within that those schools. Certainly, I actually won a scholarship. It was, like, the women of Wayne scholarship when I was a a graduate student, but those were things that I had to seek out, look for, find out library days, at the time of it well, back in the days when we had to go physically to the library. I mean, we still do, but But there was lots of researching around that, and I think there's certainly some pro depending upon whatever major you major in, there are some Organizations or foundations that will support you in your graduate program, your graduate degree. Like, for instance, SAMHSA, I know offers, like, a Fellowship for minority mental health workers or folks who are interested in mental health and in other organizations. But I think I would say kind of getting Your feet under you as it relates to funding support, getting those kinda shored up. And I think, 2, talking with Did some informational interviews.

Samara Hough [00:18:50]: So I would say do some informational interviews with other people who have already gotten the degree that you're interested in Essentially, in seeing kinda, like, what were their journey, what were some things that they would have liked to do, or kind of what maybe some Challenges that they encountered or so that you can kind of have a plan of action if that happens with you. So one of the biggest things with social work is that licensing process. People are always asking about that. Right? So finding out, like, what kind of what that would look like for you postgraduate school obtaining those hours of supervision, what are some, like, tips or things when you think about the job market? So all those like, what would be marketable for you depending upon whatever career path that you're on. I remember talking with people who, for instance, were in IT and learning, like, what what are those certificates or things that you would need. And I know those things Change and evolve and, you know, we're in the age of AI, lots of things. So, like, finding out, like, what are some of the again, like, what are some of the gaps or needs in that particular field of choice that that would set you up for success like before at post graduation. And I think just enjoy the journey.

Samara Hough [00:19:53]: I wanna say that part. Like, there's a lot of preparation. There's connection and finding out more, but I would just say enjoy the journey. There are definitely still professors that I remember Being in those classrooms and learning so much from them and continue to even in continuing education, like, there's some professors that that I just still admire to this day that are doing the work. So enjoy the journey. You know, soak it all up. Don't get too ahead of yourself before it's time, but enjoy enjoy the journey. Grad school is A great opportunity is different than undergrad.

Samara Hough [00:20:23]: I feel like in my experience, it was like a deeper dive into where I really wanted to be. And I was I was a little anxious on being able to get to those courses that were really tied to, like, the clinical work and wanting to do that so so soon, but just enjoy the journey, I would say.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:20:39]: I really appreciate that. Now if people wanna find out more about you, is there a place they can go?

Samara Hough [00:20:43]: Well, I'm always available at the center, the Center For Gender While they were on 213 USEN, I often will speak with students. So if you're ever interested in social work or the field, you know, I'm definitely open to Chatting about those experiences. I've worked in both nonprofit and higher ed environments. So if you're interested in learning more about that, most of my history has been working with Survivors of sex and gender based violence. And so I can talk about that, like, what those experiences were and also working with with youth and families. So having Those lenses, if you're ever interested in learning more, you can stop by the office. You can also email me. I can definitely put my email address In the chat or in whatever, way to get connected, and I look forward to talking with you all.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:21:26]: Well, Samara, I just wanna say thank you. And Samara did talk about her email address if you wanna reach out to her directly. Her email is samara, s a m a r a, [email protected]. You can find her there and be able to shoot her a message if you have specific questions. Samara, thank you. Thank you for sharing your Story for walking us through this journey that you went on, and I wish you all the best. The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint programs that will meet your needs.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:22:04]: For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflint.edu/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon As we embark together on your graduate school journey, if you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at flint [email protected].

Embarking on the journey of graduate education is an enriching and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of financial challenges. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various avenues for securing financial support for graduate studies. From scholarships to assistantships, student loans to tax credits, Dr. Christopher Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint, shares valuable insights and tips for navigating the complex financial landscape of graduate school.

Avenues for Financial Support

When it comes to funding graduate education, there are numerous avenues that students can explore. Dr. Lewis emphasizes the importance of being proactive and resourceful in seeking financial support. From scholarships and grants to assistantships and student loans, each avenue has its own set of considerations and application processes.

Navigating the Scholarship Landscape

Scholarships are an invaluable resource for graduate students, and Dr. Lewis provides key insights into navigating the scholarship landscape. He advises students to look for specialized scholarships based on their academic area and demographics. Additionally, he underscores the importance of crafting a compelling narrative in scholarship and grant applications, emphasizing the need for thoroughness and personalization.

Importance of Networking and Professional Associations

Dr. Lewis highlights the significance of networking within the academic community and tapping into funding opportunities through professional associations. By actively engaging with professional networks and associations, graduate students can gain access to valuable funding resources and opportunities for financial support.

Balancing Work, Internships, and Studies

Balancing work, internships, and studies is a crucial aspect of managing the financial demands of graduate education. Dr. Lewis emphasizes the importance of time management and making choices based on individual circumstances. Whether it's securing a graduate assistantship or pursuing internships, finding the right balance is key to a successful financial strategy.

Understanding Student Loans and Financial Aid

Navigating the landscape of student loans and financial aid can be complex, and Dr. Lewis provides clarity on the distinctions between subsidized and unsubsidized loans. He also underscores the availability of financial aid for both domestic and international students, with particular emphasis on achievement-based and need-based aid.

Exploring External Scholarships and Search Engines

To expand their financial options, Dr. Lewis encourages students to explore external scholarships available through various scholarship search engines. By setting up a profile and actively engaging with these platforms, students can discover scholarships that align with their academic and personal profiles.

Utilizing Tax Credits and Employer Benefits

In addition to traditional financial aid avenues, Dr. Lewis discusses the potential benefits of tax credits for graduate students and encourages seeking advice from tax professionals. He also underscores the importance of inquiring about employer educational benefits, such as tuition reimbursement or remission, as part of a comprehensive financial strategy.

As students embark on their graduate education journey, securing financial support is a critical aspect of their overall success. By leveraging scholarships, assistantships, student loans, and external funding opportunities, students can navigate the financial landscape of graduate school with confidence. Dr. Christopher Lewis's insights offer an invaluable roadmap for graduate students seeking to fund their educational pursuits.

In this comprehensive guide, we've explored the various avenues for securing financial support for graduate studies. From scholarships to assistantships, student loans to tax credits, these insights pave the way for a successful financial strategy in the pursuit of advanced education.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Okay, everyone. Thanks so much for being here today. My name is doctor Christopher Lewis. I'm the director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. And I'm really excited that you are here today to learn about how do you Pay for this. How do you fund graduate education? Sometimes one of the biggest stumbling blocks for people as they're thinking about going to graduate school is that price tag in trying to figure out for themselves, how do I actually pay for this and be able to get through this and not come out with with tons of debt? And and today, we're gonna be talking about some different things that you may be able to do to be able to take a look at different options, different opportunities that may be available that might be able to help you along the way. I am really excited that you're here today, and thank you for those of you that have been, introducing yourself in the chat. Feel free to keep doing that, and we may have some additional people that are joining us along the way.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:10]: But, but I feel free also if you have questions along the way, throw them in the chat. There's gonna be time at the end when we can When I can answer some further questions for you as well, but feel free to use that chat as a way to be able to to be able to ask your questions too. So, again, thank you so much for being here. Let's jump in. So we're what we're gonna be covering today, as I said, graduate school can be expensive. It can be something that that you definitely have to plan for and make sure that you are ready for as you're preparing, for that time that you will be in graduate school, whether it's 2 years, 3 years, or beyond, depending on the degree that you're looking at, we're We're gonna be talking about some different types of financial support that are available for graduate students. We're gonna also talk about how do you find support, how what kind of support It's out there. How do you find it? Where do you go to find that type of information? Are there tips? Are there strategies? Are there things that you can do to be able to Fund that degree.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:13]: We'll be talk talking about that. And then overarching financing your degree, making sure that you make good financial decisions as you're going through graduate school as well. So let's jump right in. 1st and foremost, so as we are talking about Support through graduate school, one of the biggest amounts of support that is available for graduate students, Our scholarships and or fellowships. And as you look at different opportunities, and sometimes they're called assistantships as well. We'll Talk about those as well. There's a number of different ones, and I'm just gonna I'm gonna put a couple up here, and I'm gonna talk through them. So first and foremost, the FAFSA.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:56]: If you are a domestic student inside the United States, as a domestic student, I encourage every graduate student to fill out the FAFSA. Even if you think you're not going to get any type of aid, fill it out. It's just like you probably did during your undergraduate days, but You will fill that out and that at times will make you eligible for some scholarships that are available on campus. Having that, you can always say no to any aid that is offered to you through that federal application. But you but if you don't have it and there are scholarships that are based off of FAFSA information, you would not be eligible And you would not be considered for those scholarships. So I always encourage you that if you are a domestic student, that going and being going and Filling out the FAFSA form early before you're planning to start submitting that to the institutions that you're planning to or you're thinking of attending And then looking at what the financial aid package that is sent back from the institution is is an important thing and definitely will help you to move forward. 2nd, individual scholarships individual scholarships at the schools themselves. One of the things that that every school has is individual scholarships.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:25]: Some are donor based, some are school based, some are college based. You know, they are different across the board. We have specific scholarships here at the University of Michigan Flint that are Particular to specific programs or for graduates of University of Michigan Schools or if you're an international student, there's some scholarships that are available. And so you need to look at the individual you need to look at the individual school And the individual sites. Sometimes those scholarships are listed on the program page of your program. Sometimes you may find scholarship information on a overarching graduate school. So if the college that you're considering does have a graduate school you would want to take a look at. Is there financial aid information? Is there scholarship information that is there? They are going to be very clear about any scholarships that are available, especially if there are additional steps that you have to take To be able to be considered for scholarships.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:31]: So for example, we have some scholarships here that are run through our Financial aid office. Many of them are are donor based or or if or scholarships that have been set up by specific individuals. And to be considered for those, there's a specific application that you have to fill out, and you have to apply by a certain date. And if you don't if you don't apply by those dates, you're not going to be considered for those specific scholarships. So you have to be very Careful and very clear about what are the scholarships, what how do you apply for them, what are the deadlines, and keeping track of those. I encourage you, and if you've listened to any of my past presentations before that I've given, when I talk about looking at different graduate schools, I talk about setting up that Google Sheet for yourself that allows for you to be able to set the program side by side and looking at All of the different cat all the different factors that are important to you. Now why is that important? Well, it's important because you wanna be able to look at each program Apples to apples, meaning that you want to make sure that each program is set side by side next to one another with the same criteria so you can review them. And I would encourage you to put information onto that spreadsheet for yourself that also Puts in the information about scholarships.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:07:01]: So, again, then you have the dates there, you have the process, and you know what you have to do. You know, applying to graduate school is something that you have to be very you have to be very cognizant about in regards to being on On time, on track, and preparing yourself well to be able to, know exactly what you need to be doing in doing it at that right time. So so keep that in mind, keep track of that, and stay on top of it. So The third one here when you're talking about scholarships, fellowships is sometimes if you are working for an employer, Especially if you're inside the United States, many employers these days do offer some type of educational benefit. It might be a tuition Reimbursement, a tuition, a a tuition reimbursement, a tuition remission, a Scholarship. You know, there's lots of different opportunities that are out there and lots of different scholarships or educational benefits that Employers do offer. Not every employer offers that, but sometimes they are not very good at Telling their employees that they have those type of benefits. So asking your HR department, asking your employer, whoever it may be, On whether or not there is any type of educational benefits, especially if what you're planning to study is something that you are that will help you in the role that you're in or within the career trajectory that you're on within that company.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:38]: All of that will help and will only prepare will will show them the commitment that you have to the company itself. So look into that. If it is a tuition reimbursement, basically, what that means would be is they may say, we will reimburse you up to 3 credit hours or 6 credit hours. So that would mean you'd have to pay up front and then put in the bill to the company prob and they may Say that you have to show your grade to show that you passed it, and then that that you get reimbursed after the fact. So those are some things to think about, in regards to to those. Now there are external scholarships as well, And external scholarships can are outside of the institution that you're thinking about. There's lots of different scholarship engines that are out there. I've listed a few here, Fastweb, CapEx, iGrad, Unigo, GoGrad.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:09:31]: There's a lot of different search engines, scholarship search engines that are out there, And you'll hear every once in a while company or these companies saying this or you'll hear it in the news that there's all this scholarship money that goes unaccounted for. And there's some truth truth to that. Now realize though that on these type of On these type of, search engines, you're going to be setting up a profile for yourself. They're gonna ask you lots of questions about yourself, and they're gonna try to match Different scholarships that might be a good fit for you. It does take time, and it does take effort. Some scholarships I'm gonna put in quotes are ones that you might have to write lengthy essays about or do some other pieces To be in competition with other students. But there are scholarships that are out there. So if you have the time, you're willing to put in the time, Going to these external places, putting your information in, and seeing what pops up is always a good thing.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:34]: And once you're in the system, Usually, those systems will email you if there are additional scholarships that pop up as you move further toward your educational goal. So those are some things to think about as you think of scholarships and fellowships. Now I mentioned assistantships or there's teaching assistantships, there's research assistantships, and sometimes you'll just see Assistantships that are out there, typically, what that means is you are going to be brought in. These are Jobs, their positions that you are doing something for your for, for the university, for the professor for a professor, for And in for the for a unit of the institution, you're gonna be working, and they're going to be paying you to work. Now At every institution, the rules with that are a little bit different. At our institution, we have most of our pro most of our graduate students are eligible for Research assistantships. What that basically means is that you would apply. We have a on the link that you see here, on that link, There is a listing of any research assistantships that we have.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:50]: They're called GSRA's, graduate student research assistantships, And you apply just like you would any job. But as you're looking through them, you're gonna see the faculty member, the research area, what they're looking for, And you would apply based on ones that you feel that you're qualified for. And then the faculty member will determine, Just like in a regular job, who they feel is the best fit, and they'll have you come on and do research with them. Now teaching assistantships, those are different. Usually, with those, you're going to be many times, Teaching assistants are going to be in PhD programs, and they're going to be working alongside of a faculty member, usually Teaching alongside a faculty member, or they may be teaching some undergrad courses. And as a part of their Time in that graduate program, they may have their tuition waived or they may get paid. You know, like I said, every institution is just a little bit different in that regard. And as so so as you look at that, and then there are assistantships.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:59]: I know personally, when I went through my master's degree, I was in a program that required assistantships because I was in a College student personnel administration program. So I was working in higher education. So I worked for the office of admissions as a graduate assistant, And my tuition was taken care of, and I was paid at for the work that I was doing. So Every institution is just a little bit different. What they offer is a little bit different. Depending on your program, depending on the the the Requirements of the program, you have to look at all of those different factors because all of those will impact how you can pay for your graduate school. So I already talked about this, but a graduate assistantship is a salaried student employment opportunity. And then I already talked about that as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:13:56]: So let's move on. So as we look at other types of financial support that are out there, There are grants, sometimes research funding. So as you as you look at the different opportunities, different schools, different programs, You're gonna find that there are grants, which is free money, money that is offered to you from the institution that you do not have to pay back, and there at times could be research funding. Some units will have Research grants that are happening, and they have money to hire students to be able to do research. Those could be through a GSRA type position, or they could be something else at that institution. But, again, each Individual program is going to be a little bit different, but you do need to look into that, and you need to ask these questions As you are going through this process. So if you don't see the information, ask the question. Say, are there scholarships? Where can I find out information about scholarships or assistantships? Is there research opportunities available? Will those research opportunities be paid or not? These are all good questions and ones that you should be asking As you're going through the process of identifying the school, but also as you're trying to whittle down what the True Price is going to be for you if you do attend a specific school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:15:31]: So Student loans and financial aid. I already talked about the FAFSA form, so I will, I will talk a little bit about that. But a couple things that you wanna definitely keep in mind is that there are loans that are available for domestic, for international students. Individual institutions may have loans available for international students, some may not. Some, some international students are able to access international loans through outside vendors, but it depends on if the institution those vendors as well. So those are all things you have to be be thinking about. And domestic students, definitely, You want to put in your FAFSA. If you want student loans from the federal government, you have to fill out the FAFSA form.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:22]: So those pieces are definitely important. The biggest thing that you definitely want to make sure that you understand is your loan limits, especially if you are a domestic Students, as if you took out large amount of loans in your undergrad and you're now looking at taking out Large amounts alone for your grad, there are loan limits that apply. And I have a link here, and I'm gonna share this this presentation With you so that you have it and you'll have these links. But it is important to understand what those limits are because you don't want to hit that cap and then not be able to, cover the cost that you have coming before you. So as we're talking about loan limits, you're looking at a 138,500 for domestic graduate or professional students. No more than 65,500 of the of that can be subsidized loans. The benefit of subsidized versus unsubsidized. Subsidized have have a better they're being subsidized by the federal government, so that means that the amount that the Usually, the interest rate on those loans is gonna be much less, because they're being subsidized.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:17:38]: So, and then that graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for your undergraduate study as well. So you need to keep all of that in mind because too often students are are they're coming up on that limit for the federal loan limit, And then they're having to look outside for other loans, and you just want to make sure you have a plan to be able to to be able to Cover everything and be able to then afterwards be on a plan for repayment to be able to get through your graduate study. Okay. So let's talk a little bit about, again, how financial aid works. So financial aid is split up in between 2 different categories based on the reason the money is awarded. So it's important to understand that. So you have achievement based aid. So the that aid that's typically awarded based on merit, your skill, talent, ability, and and It may be grades, you know, etcetera.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:18:42]: Whereas you have then need based aid that is provided the students who demonstrate in some way some type of financial need, whether that's through the FAFSA form or some other type of, way that the institution is determining or looking at financial need. So you have merit achievement based or merit based, And you have need based aid. Now financial aid programs do provide support Or I do provide support for students to help them meet the cost of obtaining their education, But you have to also realize that funding for the programs are provided by the federals federal and state governments, but and but also There is some funding that comes from colleges or universities that they've set up specifically, like I talked about, in regard to university based Scholarships in that regard. Okay. So, I kind of already mentioned some of these already. I'm just kind of remaking sure that you that I hit these points home, that there are different types of scholarships that are available. Like at our institution, we have a whole list of those scholarships that you can apply for and that you can be considered for. Now it's a long list, and it will take you quite some time to go through and look at the criteria and be able to tell.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:20:09]: You don't have To go through, you don't have to specifically apply for specific scholarships, but there is a process at our institution at least that you apply by a certain date to be for any of those scholarships that are that you're eligible for as a graduate student. You can also go through and see the different scholarships, see how many Scholarships are out there. Look for specific criteria. See if there's scholarships for those criteria as well. So In that list in the top link there, there are specialized scholarships that are based on your academic area, Demographics of yourself, because individuals or companies or, Or units on campus have developed these scholarships specifically for specific groups of individuals. And it might be You're just a grad student, but it could also be you're a student going into physical therapy or a student going into computer science, And you decide that you are going to, that you are going to, Make sure that you are, are eligible for those different types of scholarships too. Definitely reach out to the financial aid office if you've got any Questions along the way. If you are are a little bit lost in trying to figure that out for yourself, I highly, highly encourage you to, I highly, highly encourage you to, to reach out to your financial aid office.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:21:38]: They are more than willing to Talk with you, to work with you, to help you, to understand the process, and understand what type of what type of financial opportunities may exist for you as a student as well. So let's walk through these different opportunities, different ways, and Strategies for funding your graduate education. So 1st and foremost, you want to think about the, I talked about external scholarships. So there's the scholar those scholarship search engines. Take the time prior to applying, prior to even going out there. Look and see what kind of scholarships are out there, and especially once you've determined what type of program you want to go into and you know a little bit more on that regard. Build some relationships. Make sure that you're networking, that you're building relationships within the academic community in the area that you have an interest in.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:22:32]: By doing that, You may be able to tie to tap into other things. Sometimes professional associations will have specific scholarships. And as a student, you could join as a student member and potentially have access to that. Sometimes those scholarships are going to be for individuals only once they're in a program. But, again, even as a Post 1st year student, you could take advantage of funding opportunities through those professional associations or other Entities that are offering scholarships out there for people going into the field that you have an interest in. So making sure that you do look at that is also going to be important. You're going to want to look at how are you going to be balancing your work, your internships, your studies, because as you're going through your graduate education, there's going to be a lot thrown at you. And if you are going to also have an assistantship, you you just have to figure out that balance for yourself to figure out, okay.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:23:40]: Yes. I need the funding. I'm going to take that assistantship that was offered to me. That's 20 hours a week. Well, if I spend 20 hours a week here, How am I going to get my studying done for my classes? How long is that going to take? Do I have other Opportunities to get involved in other things along that, among or with that or not. Those are all questions that you need to be asking, and you need to really create kind of a a time management or a a kind of a sheet for yourself of the week To be able to know what you know, how you're going to be able to fit everything in because because that sometimes there's students that will decide, I'm not gonna take that Assistantship. Yes. It was gonna help me, but I just can't balance it with my family, or I can't balance it with this other thing.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:24:28]: And or Or they they make other decisions based on those those same type of internal dialogues, but also external dialogues with others. You want to make sure that you have a budget and that you're managing your finances well. Too often, we see students that are maxing out on loans if they if loans are available, they're and And because they're they're available to them, and the problem with that is that then At the end, you come out with a vast amount of debt that becomes hard to pay off in the end. Now if that's the case, you know, if as you're going along, you wanna make sure you're making good decisions. So Budget your money. So if you are taking loans out, if you're if you're getting paid for an from an assistantship, just like you would budget within your own life And and looking at the you know, what is what are you paying out? What is coming in? And How can you budget that the best that you can to spend as little as you can to be able to get through everything And not come out with a large amount of debt. So being able to budget throughout, we, here at the University of Michigan Flint, We we've worked with different agencies that that provide different opportunities for students to be able to, to get some really good insight into budgeting, into preparing, making sure that you're not maxing out a credit card on top of that. You know, putting things on, you know, taking out other loans, you know, doing doing things to try and pay down other things as you can, even if it's incremental, so you're paying down as you go along.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:26:24]: All of those things are things that you can do that will make big impacts in the future. K. So as you are, as you're thinking about grants and scholarships, many times oh, hold on. Many times when you're going through grants and scholarships, there's going to be opportunities for you to be able to do some writing. And as you're going through these types of, these types of scholarship applications or grant applications, You want to be able to make sure that you are are are taking the time to craft A good narrative that will help to tell your story. And and you don't wanna do this you don't wanna wait till the last minute. You want to take the time to be able to proofread, have others proofread, and really think about your answers And come up with a very solid answer. Sometimes you have a a a large number of words to use.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:27:33]: Sometimes it's a very short amount of words, so you have to be very succinct in in what you're saying. So couple these are a couple of different writing tips, some things to think about as you're thinking about Graduate school and, grants and scholarships for graduate school. So as you're answering these questions, You wanna develop a format on whatever prompt is offered to you to be able to allow for you to organize your thoughts. It might be an outline, you know, where your bullet pointing the different things you want to hit. But, again, this is a narrative. This is you telling a story, And you want to make sure that it flows well because when someone reads it, you want them to follow the narrative And follow the story from beginning to end, and you wanna lead them along from beginning to end. You wanna make it your own? Don't use the, you know, cliche, cliche or boilerplate language. Use your own Experiences your own language.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:28:38]: Please don't use chat gpt to try to write it Because, you know, they wanna see your personality, and they want to understand who you are. So by even using AI, that's not going to help in in bringing out your own personality. If they are asking specific questions or they specifically say they want to hear the following things, Make sure that you address all the questions. Make sure that you're answering the prompt. You don't wanna copy and paste an answer from a previous application that doesn't answer it. So that's why I say take the time. Even if you think you could tweak something that you've used before, Really read that question again. Have someone else read the question and have them read your answer too because you wanna make sure that you're answering the question fully.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:29:35]: Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. I'm gonna say that many as many times as I can because and and I always, when I'm proofreading, I'll write it. I'll have someone else read it. But then I also read it out loud because many times when you read something out loud, You will catch things that you didn't catch the 1st time. So that's also important and and definitely something that People can get not selected for scholarships or for grants because of their writing Or because of, not answering all the questions, you know, so paying attention to detail and making sure that you're being You're being consistent in that regard.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:30:21]: So, again, take your time. Give yourself at least a week to work on a personal statement. So that's not e so that that's a personal statement for applying to to college, but also personal statements or answers to questions for these types of scholarships and grants as well. So let's talk a little bit about aid and how it's determined. So, typically, when we're talking about the cost of attendance at a school, what that Includes is your estimated family contribution or your EFC. And the federal government here in the United States just changed EFC, but I still use it because I think it I think it makes a little more sense. But EFC estimated family contribution. So what Typically, you are going to be able to you and your family are going to be able to put toward your education.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:31:16]: Many of you are beyond the age of, of when your parents would consider you on their taxes, Especially if you're domestic. So if that's the case, then the estimate the expected family contribution really becomes what you can contribute. And then it's gonna look at scholarships or other resources, things that the institution is offering you or that, that they the institution has been has been told that that you have been awarded through other agencies. And then those 2 pieces combined will equal Your need of aid. So it might they may say, hey. This student needs $30,000 for the year. And if it and that would be the need for aid. So then they're going to the look at, okay, how can we package that, and offer something to a student.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:32:10]: So the cost of attending, your budget, it it so what you see and I say on SIS, It's really your student information system. So we use a system called the SIS banner, but there are many different systems depending on the school that you attend. And the budget is based off of an estimate of the cost of attending Here at U of M Flint, and then it it may have different amounts based on Room and board, whether you're because there's gonna be questions of are you living on campus? Are you living on your own? Are you living with your parents? You know, those type of things, and they'll they'll adjust The overarching budget that they use to consider for each student and, and then dependent dependent students. Like I said, most most graduate students are not considered dependent students. But if you were considered a dependent student, they may be asked to provide a lease agreement if, to document that. Okay. So, how your aid is Also, how in how your aid is determined when you're talking about the estimated family contribution. This for for dependent students, if you are a dependent student, the The parent contribution is still a part of this.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:33:26]: Otherwise, it's looking really at your contribution. It's gonna be looking at and if you're married, it would be the family contribution As a whole, or if it's just you, you know, they will look at your just your individual contribution and determine But your estimated family contribution could be when it comes to your finance the the the financial aid or the package that is provided. They also are going to be looking at scholarships. And we do encourage students to to look at scholarships and to Consider scholarships whether it's here at U of M Flint or other places, as, you know, because and then also One of the questions on the financial aid form is whether or not you are willing to, be considered for work study. That's not as common with grad students, but sometimes there may be some work study available. So if you are a domestic student and you fill out the FAFSA form, make sure that you click yes. It doesn't mean you have to take it, but if you click yes, then it makes you eligible for work study. The Benefit of work study is that you would get paid like any other student for the position that you're in, But it's a it's it's allows for some federal money to be used toward paying you.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:34:49]: And it then allows for more students to be able to work on campus because you they are taking a portion of the burden off of the institution to pay, And instead, it's a joint effort between the federal government and the the institution to pay you as a work study student. There's some great cost calculators that are out there that will help you to calculate your own estimated family contribution, that I would encourage you to take a look at. These are 5 different ones that are out there. There's a number of other resources that are available for students when they are, when they are, That, you know, based on whatever your your personal needs are, on our financial aid page at the University of Michigan Flint, we do offer quite a few different resources that I encourage you to check out as well. So As we're as we're looking at, aid and thinking about aid, typically, at your institution and I'm gonna give you information about Our school, but at most institutions, you're going to need to be able to show that you have a minimum of 4 credits that are counting toward your degree to be eligible for loans, and and that includes Grad PLUS loans. Now When we look at this for aid, you could see there's a difference between undergrad and graduate students. So for full time graduate students, it's over 8 credits, whereas at for an undergrad, it's 12 credits. So the expectation is different.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:36:34]: And we say that you need at least 4 credits, which is half time To be considered as aid eligible. So if you are looking at a graduate program where you're going to be going part time, You'd be looking at anywhere from 4 to 7 credits that you'd be taking, which would make you aid eligible for most, for most scholarships that have that criteria in place. So it's important to understand that as well. Other thing, that I wanted to point out here is that, especially for domestic students as you're thinking about, about different types of Loans, and scholarships, but also the cost of college that as a graduate student, you may be eligible For either the lifetime learning credit or the tuition and fees deduction on your taxes. So You have to kind of talk to your tax person about that, because if you do have any taxable income from Scholarships or fellowships, and you receive some type of a stipend that may end up, getting getting having to get placed on your taxes. So when you're looking at these 2 things, couple things to keep in mind, lifetime learning credit refunds 20% of up to $10,000 of qualified expenses, providing, you with up to about $2,000, on your taxes. And then there's a tuition and fees deduction, which allows you to deduct up to $4,000, but It depend you have to look at the definition of what higher education expenses are. So that typically is going to be Your books, supplies, other, well, not books and supplies.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:38:27]: So it's it's typically your tuition, whereas books, Supplies, other equipments are not usually deductible. So room but room and board, in room and board, insurance, medical Medical expenses, personal expenses are also not usually qualified expenses. So usually it's gonna be your tuition for the most part. Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate your time today. Thanks for being here, and wish you all the best. The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if You are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:39:05]: For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflute.eduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, Email me at [email protected].

Graduate school can be a transformative journey, filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. In this blog post, we delve into the experiences and insights of Rehan Kodil, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) student specializing in Organizational Leadership at the University of Michigan Flint. Through Rehan's journey, we'll explore the reasons for pursuing graduate education, the choice of concentration, adapting to the demands of graduate school, and valuable tips for success. Choosing Graduate School After completing his undergraduate degree in 2013, Rehan gained work experience at Morgan Stanley, fostering a desire for further education. However, the decision to pursue graduate school was delayed due to personal and professional commitments. It wasn't until 2021, during the challenges of the pandemic, that Rehan committed to his educational aspirations, particularly drawn to the business program at the University of Michigan Flint. Rehan's determination to advance his career and personal growth serves as a testament to the importance of recognizing the right timing and aligning one's passions with further education. Choosing a Concentration Rehan's decision to specialize in organizational leadership was influenced by his professional experiences. His realization that his interests lay with human resources and leadership, as opposed to his previous stint in finance at Morgan Stanley, sheds light on the significance of self-awareness and aligning educational pursuits with one's strengths and passions. This exemplifies the value of choosing a concentration that resonates with personal aspirations and professional goals. Adapting to Graduate School Transitioning to graduate school after years in the workforce can be daunting. Rehan encountered challenges in adapting to a new learning environment, but found support from faculty, academic advisors, and peers. His journey showcases the importance of resilience, adjusting study habits, and embracing the guidance and resources provided by the academic community. Involvement in Campus Life Rehan's involvement in student government underscores the value of engaging in campus activities beyond academic pursuits. This involvement exposed him to real-world scenarios, honing his negotiation, communication, and leadership skills. By stepping out of his comfort zone, he was able to apply these experiences to his studies, enhancing his overall educational journey. Preparing for the Future In addition to academic knowledge, Rehan underscores the importance of developing practical skills that will differentiate him in his career journey. Through projects, case studies, and real-world applications, Rehan cites the development of communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills as crucial takeaways from his program. These skills are instrumental in preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in his professional life. Tips for Success Based on his experiences, Rehan offers valuable tips for those considering or currently in graduate school. These include the importance of self-awareness in choosing a field of study, maintaining a work-life balance, establishing connections with mentors and academic advisors, and proactive engagement with career development resources. Rehan's tips offer actionable insights for navigating the demands of a graduate program while maximizing learning and networking opportunities. Conclusion Rehan's journey through graduate school provides a firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs that many students encounter. His insights underscore the value of determination, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal and professional growth. Through his experiences, Rehan's tips serve as a guiding light for prospective and current graduate students, navigating the path to success in their educational and professional endeavors. In conclusion, Rehan's journey through graduate school provides a firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs that many students encounter. His insights underscore the value of determination, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal and professional growth. Through his experiences, Rehan's tips serve as a guiding light for prospective and current graduate students, navigating the path to success in their educational and professional endeavors.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victor's in Grad School. I'm your host, doctor Jennifer Lewis, director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. Every week, I love being able to sit down, talk to you, to be able to walk with you along this path that you're on because I know that You are on a journey. You're on a journey. You're whether you're at the very beginning and you're just starting to think about graduate school or You're a little bit further down the road. Maybe you've applied and you're waiting to hear back if whether you got accepted or you're in a graduate program And you're working through and you're taking your classes and maybe that light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little bit closer. But I love being able to be on this journey with you talk to you to help you to think about the things that are going to help you to find success Sooner.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:03]: That's what this podcast is all about. It's all about helping you to find success in this graduate school journey no matter What type of graduate school journey you're on? We talk to students that are in business programs, law school, med school. We've talked to people that are studying computer science or are working in the field in many different areas, their PhDs or their PTs. Lots of different people with lots of different journeys, but the common thread is that all of them have gone before you or are going through it at the same time with you and are here to help you along that path. Today, we've got another great guest with us. Rehan Codill is with us, and Rehan is a master of business administration student studying organizational leadership at the University of Michigan Flint. I'm really excited to have him here for him to share his journey with you and to have him on the show. Rehan, thanks so much for being here.

Rehan Kodil [00:02:03]: Thank you, It's my pleasure.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:05]: It's my pleasure having you here today too. Thank you for being here. One of the first things that I always love to do is be able to Turn the clock back in time because I think it's always important to understand where you were and where you are now. So somewhere along the journey, You you did your undergraduate work, and somewhere along the journey, you made a decision that you wanted to go to graduate school. What were the reasons that Made you choose that you wanted to go to graduate school.

Rehan Kodil [00:02:30]: So I completed my undergrad in, like, back in 2013. And right after that, I started from Morgan Stanley because I wanted to get some experience before doing my postgrad. And the plan has been there, on my mind since a long time. But I think once you start working, you know, you get into the rhythm of that, and then you don't wanna come back to study. But I was like, no. I said to myself Okay. I've got enough experience, and the only regret that I have is that I should have done this much earlier when I was a bit more younger. But then what happened is school COVID happened, and the borders were shot.

Rehan Kodil [00:03:02]: And so because of a lot of other personal things as credit card did it. But, In the year 2021, I made a decision that, you know, this year, I want to, like, really focus on this, And I applied to a lot of other universities. The University of Michigan is what attracted me the the business program that I'm currently in. I then And you even got in touch with a lot of, alum and a lot of current students who were there, in the graduate program. And all those things are are like what they said and then what I when When I did my own research, it it attracted to me. It was, and that's how I decided that I wanna do this course. And I think that, University of Michigan being a big brand, it, like, holds a lot of value, and there is and more than just academics also, there is, like, There are so many things to look forward to. Like, even we have our job opportunities, career fairs, and, so many people, like, get to help the students.

Rehan Kodil [00:03:56]: So it's been, like, 2022, I came here, and I see a drastic change in myself. My approach was studying a subject like how it was many years back during my undergrad is different. The approach of the faculty, the The professors, teachers, all have been very helpful. And, also, like, the certain subject that I'm doing, the course also helps I'll definitely, like, enhance and develop my personality more because certain subjects we have that we have to negotiate, with people and get to know other people. So it makes We get out of my comfort zone. I am very happy that I chose this program and the major organization, leadership. So yep.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:35]: So you're in a program that has many different concentration areas. You chose organizational leadership. Why did you choose organizational leadership versus Other concentrations? What was it about that concentration that made you say this is the right one for me?

Rehan Kodil [00:04:49]: So I, as I said earlier, like, I I started up at Morgan Stanley in finance. And, what what I realized that I wasn't really enjoying finance. And but at the same time, I was Trying to discover, like, what I'm really good at, what I really enjoy, and that was, like, something to do with organization leadership, which is also known as, human resources. And, so of all the other considerations that I went to, I what what attracted me the most was, the MBA in organization leadership. When I when I went through the subjects and, the main concentration subject, I like besides the prerequisites and all that, and when I graduate, I I realized that, okay, this is something that I really enjoy. This is something that I wanna pursue and continue Other rather than, you know, doing it in finance or any other, concentration that I don't. So, you human, organization leadership is what attracted me because I see myself, as a future leader, in in an I believe that I have those, qualities as, as well. Not not just because of, the studies, and the subject that I'm learning, but also I I am part of student government also as a director.

Rehan Kodil [00:06:01]: So I am already, like, Using, in it's in, like, beside not just in academy, but also in the practical experience that I have. So yep.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:11]: Now I know that You have been able to find success in this graduate school journey. You've been able to move forward. You're continuing to move forward, working toward your graduation coming up In the near future, as you transitioned into graduate school And you think back to that right now, what did you have to do to find what did you have to do to set yourself up for success? And as you went through graduate school, what did you have to do to maintain your success throughout this entire graduate school journey?

Rehan Kodil [00:06:45]: So one of the things was that I completely had to change my approach, towards studying. Like, how, like, Couple of years back, I I wasn't that serious. You know, like, during my undergrad and all. So and I never really get time to study. So That is something that I I changed my approach also, like and one other the the most difficult thing was that getting time to study after working, after working so much. But I had that fear, but once I started studying okay. Initially, the couple of weeks was difficult, but then once the professors And the faculty was so helpful, and that they made you feel, like, comfortable. Okay.

Rehan Kodil [00:07:22]: You know what? Relax. It's you know, there are it's not just you. There are many others like you also coming to study after a long time. So what I would say that the transition was a bit difficult, but I saw the the faculty and The subjects also that I studied being so interesting and so many resources that help offered by the university, like for my leadership programs, also The academic adviser that I have was, like, more than an academic adviser, they were like a mentor, a friend. All those people, like, they helped me, and They made that transition, which and I really felt, but in in the early stage, which is natural world typical. They made it easy. So now it's like now when I look back, I'm like, I was really worried about that, so that's how it is now. I feel more confident now.

Rehan Kodil [00:08:04]: Of course. So, yes, the transition was difficult, but I didn't panic. I prepared myself I said that I'm here for this particular reason, and I should change my approach and my attitude. And I always dedicate, like, The weekends to my study, like because I don't work on weekend. And sometimes even, like, during the day, when I get done early with work, when I have nothing much to do, I always I make sure that I'm Spending some time, like, on my own study, whether it's completing an assignment or doing some research or just learning more about the stuff.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:33]: Now I know that you've also gotten very involved on campus, getting involved with student life and student government, and not every graduate student chooses to do that. What What have you found in getting involved in this way? How has that helped you to be able to find success in the studies And in the program that you're in.

Rehan Kodil [00:08:56]: That was something that I really thought about that. There are no graduate students in this, that. Will I be able to, like, manage so many things over? Because sometimes it can be too much, and it and sometimes it does feel like that also, like previously. But I thought that, You know, just coming here for academics and not getting to know your peers, your colleagues, or the other People important people like yourself that are there in the university, the senior people also. So that is why I said that it is important to join, like, such an organization like student government, where you you make your connections also and get to know people and get to know, like, what is happening at the in the university and how is it helping in my studies. So, like, for example, I can I I'll give you an example? We have many meetings and brainstorming sessions with our colleagues in school and government. Sometimes there may there may be an argument that you have to disconnect me or to someone else. So it is teaching you a lot, And it is preparing you also for the real world in a way.

Rehan Kodil [00:09:52]: Like, okay. This may be a scenario when you go into the real world tomorrow. So how are you gonna deal with it? And how I applied this into my studies is, like, for example, I have a subject called negotiation, where we have to negotiate with another person. It was part of our exercise. And for me, that went very well because I'm used to these negotiations and all in the work that I do in student government, whether it is to something over there. It is definitely just listening to someone else's idea or proposal. So what what it taught me, it has been with so many people. It taught me, like, how to deal with How to deal with things and not be, you know, just getting angry or it taught me, like, how to be more calmer and be a good listener.

Rehan Kodil [00:10:30]: So that's one of the things that I learned there government that I use that I use in the in my academics, like, in that certain subject, that is negotiation management. So that is how it has helped me. And Other than that, I always make sure that I find time to balance everything. If I feel that, okay, that something is getting too much, I always Reach out to my colleagues in school government and say that, hey. My I have my academic skills. I need to focus on that. I won't be able to attend this meeting, That meeting, I will be able to do this project. And I say it in advance, not like last moment.

Rehan Kodil [00:11:00]: They have been pretty good. You know? They they understand that nobody forces anyone do any tool. But that being said, I also believe that when you're part of this organization and I know that everyone has different personalities, but I feel that It is important for you to, like, get out of your comfort zone and join any organization. It doesn't have to be student government, but do something, like for The campus do something, like, for your other colleagues, maybe, like, other internationals who are coming and who may need help or who may not have that personality that you have. So, you you can become an inspiration for them. Like, okay. Hey. Listen.

Rehan Kodil [00:11:32]: You can study, and you can do these things as well as long as you're able to balance out

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:38]: Now you're getting closer to the end of your program. And along with what you're learning inside of the class, you're also learning other Skills are the things that are going to help you to prepare you for the next step in your career. Talk to me about that, and what have you found that the program has helped you to do that is going to help you stand apart from others as you're looking at your next step in your career.

Rehan Kodil [00:12:03]: I think the very fact that this Program is, like, is teaching us and is giving us a a lot of practical experience. Like, for example, it is not just, okay, come do your assignments. Just submitted. Give you an example of what this program is making me do is it is making me getting out of my comfort zone. We have projects and all Case studies and all that we have to work with. Sometimes it can be, like, a bit difficult. It can be challenging because we might not like everybody certain people might not cooperate, but that is the very thing of this. That is it's teaching you to get along with who are tough, who are very difficult to negotiate You have to, like, find strike.

Rehan Kodil [00:12:37]: You have to, like, sit down, negotiate with them, and find a way out. So and I have projects in many of the subjects that, I have done so far. And now even in this winter semester, I have and I look forward to all of them. Some in the past have been challenging, but I confidently, like, with the help of the others, we overcame that. So the skills that it is giving me before I head out Outside like, the real world is that it's giving me, of course, communication skills, negotiation skills also. Like, it is teaching me how to be patient rather than, you know, being a hothead and just Losing my school is teaching me how to be patient, how to be more to be able to become a good listener and observer, come to a solution in a Am I capable here rather than, like, fighting or doing something, like, that you shouldn't be doing. And besides that, like, also, it has given me a lot of confidence, Which I particularly didn't have in the past because in my undergrad, we didn't have, like, such such classes that I'm having now. It was just, like, If you are exams, let's go do a project.

Rehan Kodil [00:13:33]: Not much research at all. So what this has made me do is, of course, it was challenging, and it is challenging, but There are a lot of positives. It is preparing me for it is making me better, boosting my confidence, making me communicate with people even though, like, It is even though it has been difficult, it's because I'm a shy person. So it is helping me become I think it'll bring my confidence making me get out of my comfort zone. So they're making me improve my communication skills because it is a mandate of this program that you have to, do projects and all case studies and all those things. So it it has it it has helped helped me a lot. And I think what will make me standout is the the very fact that the the skills that I learned, whether it be a communication skill or, how to approach a certain situation, Like, without so to have a debate, but in a peaceful way, not like create a scene or something just to be more patient. And also the fact that It has increased my knowledge in a lot of other subjects that I previously didn't know even from the ones that I have studied before because There are so many new things, so many additional new things.

Rehan Kodil [00:14:41]: Some things that were taught back then in my undergrad are different from how it is here, a a different approach, The approach of my colleagues, the other students, the approach of the professors. So all those things, I take it as a learn besides just getting us a degree and a certificate. So I think all those I consider key takeaways that will make me stand out with this degree.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:15:01]: Now as you consider the end of your graduate degree And as it's education that you have been having thus far, and you think about other students that are thinking about graduate school in general, What are some tips that you might offer others considering graduate school and graduate education that'll help them to find success?

Rehan Kodil [00:15:19]: I think, tips that I would offer is That one is that decide what you really want to do, what you like, respective of and if you're probably you're passionate about it or not. And it could be something that you developed something recently. It is not that, okay, you might have worked in a different stream or a different industry, but you want to change it. It is I think it is fine as long as You know what it is that is that you like. So 1 the first thing the tip would be that decide, like, this is the stream that you want to get into, the the major. And as I said, like, if you are someone who is coming to grad school, like, after a long time, which could be challenging, like, after a gap or something, it will be challenging. But if you decide to, like, interest and put your mind to it. And initially, of course, there will be those difficult periods.

Rehan Kodil [00:16:04]: But once you're in the flow and once you start attending those classes and you start meeting your academic adviser, talking to your professors regularly, and, like, with their colleagues that out there, it will help you. So I think one of the tips that I would offer is that not just to be there because just to complete the program, but to also see get to know the the faculty, the academic advisor, everyone because all of them will help you in this program. They have those experiences also. And, so so my other tip would be that make sure that you're interacting with everyone, not just, you know, just there for studies. Yeah. I completed this at going home. You know? Make sure that you're keeping in touch with everyone, asking them questions. And besides that, it would be that if you're Someone who's working and during graduation that you just have to and studying, then you have to maintain a work life balance.

Rehan Kodil [00:16:56]: And you have to, like, plan your schedule and things in such a way that one is that one is not like, you're not giving visits to more visits one thing and Not at all to another thing. You have to make sure that they are being balanced. So that means that you have to, like, have that okay. These these these days I'm going to be but I have work, so I won't be able, I won't be able to focus that much on my studies, but dedicate, like, few days. Like, if you're off on the weekends, make sure that Saturday, Sunday, At least, like, for 3, 4 hours, you are dedicating it to your academy. And if at all if it's an emergency, like, let's say that there's an exam coming up, and then You make sure that you take those leads in advance for those days so that you can prepare for those exams. So my other tip would be that maintain a work life balance so that it will eventually help. And the other tip is that not to stress too much or overtake.

Rehan Kodil [00:17:46]: And And I'm saying this because this has really helped me is to always meet your academic adviser at least once every time. It can be in person or in Zoom. I can tell you this from my personal experience that had it not been for my, academic adviser who has been so helpful to me, I would be lost, to be honest. I don't think I would be so confident, and, yeah, I would either be because they guide you. Of course, you have to do all the hard work, but they guide you. They tell you that, okay, you're not headed in the right direction, All are doing very well. So I always make sure that I am in touch with my academic advisor, whether it's for registration, whether it is something that is bothering me about a certain subject or the course, Anything. They're always there to help you too.

Rehan Kodil [00:18:25]: That is one important thing that I like is that during this course, like in your graduate school, make sure that you are in touch with your academic adviser. And the other one would be to get in touch. Like, we have mentoring programs as well. So if you don't like, if someone is not comfortable, like, doing it formally, they can Also, like, reach out to the former alumni, like, who who are there on LinkedIn or if they can, like, get in touch with someone, like, at At the university, we will tell them, okay. Now this person has studied this. Get in touch with those people. Like, ask them how was their experience. What are the challenges that they face? How did they overcome that? What did they do differently? That will also help you to make a certain decision on how to approach a certain thing.

Rehan Kodil [00:19:05]: And And, they can also guide you. So I I believe that it is always important to have, have that kind of a mentor as well. And the other thing would be, which is something that I recently I'm doing a lot is, like, I think every program has their own career development manager, and We have, like, school of management as Justin's. So, also, like, when you are studying and you you it is better to, like, think about your future as well, like, where you see yourself going with the degree. And what I think is that you have to start planning it right now. So, like, let's say even if your course is 3 years more to go, 2 years more to go, it's better to meet with this career development manager. In my case, it's Justin Skibit. But for everyone else, it would be different.

Rehan Kodil [00:19:49]: They will help you tell them that this is what you're looking for. This is what you want to get into. He has helped me a lot. So I'm telling you this from experience With, like, interview skills, getting out to putting in a kind word, getting out to the recruiters. So when you're about to graduate, You are ready, like, for the world. You already have a job or maybe you have many offers. You already have the skills that that you got from the, from your Academic program. You have the connections also.

Rehan Kodil [00:20:14]: So, basically, you have all the weapons that you need before you before you head out. So that is another thing that I would say. And one other thing that I would mention. Again, this also I know it's not possible for everyone because everybody some have families here, some have Multiple jobs, but at least if they can make sure to come on campus also, at least, like, for 1 lecture, that will also make a bit. I know that today we are in online. COVID happened and all those But just to come to class maybe just for 1 lecture, I think doesn't do any wrong because it is good to have a fact physical Your presence as well where your professors lie there. It is much more easier to communicate with them when they are light in front of you. Also get to know the others as well Besides just saying hello on Zoom, so and the best thing is that if you are in the building, you could even just walk up to the office and meet your academic adviser also for all you know.

Rehan Kodil [00:21:04]: And you you can talk to them about it on any other important office that is that you want to go to. So that is another tip that, so this is Well,

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:21:12]: Rehan, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey today. Thank you for sharing all these tips and things that you have found to help you To help others along their own journey, and I wish you all the best.

Rehan Kodil [00:21:22]: Thank you, sir. It was my pleasure.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:21:23]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs If you are interested in continuing your education, whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflute.eduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon As we embark together on your graduate school journey, if you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at flint [email protected].

In a recent episode of the Victors in Grad School podcast, Dr. Dallas Anderson, a health scientist administrator at the National Institutes of Health, took listeners on a journey through his academic and professional experiences in epidemiological research, particularly focusing on Alzheimer's disease. From his upbringing in Flint, Michigan, to pursuing advanced degrees at the University of Michigan, Dr. Anderson shares valuable insights about the influence of mentoring, the significance of choosing the right path in graduate education, and his dedication to making impactful contributions in the field of public health.

The Impact of Mentoring

Dr. Anderson's story emphasizes the pivotal role of mentoring in shaping his academic and professional trajectory. Starting from his high school years, mentorship played a crucial part in his decision to pursue higher education, eventually leading him to embark on a journey in epidemiological research. His emphasis on the importance of finding a mentor resonates strongly with aspiring graduate students who may be navigating the complex landscape of advanced studies.

Choosing the Right Path in Graduate Studies

A standout point from Dr. Anderson's conversation is the significance of defining success based on personal fulfillment rather than external metrics. This philosophy underscores the idea that the journey through graduate education is as important as the destination. Aspiring graduate students are encouraged to reflect on their passions and interests to ensure they choose a specific direction for their studies, one that aligns with their personal and professional aspirations.

The Role of University Environment and Faculty Support

Dr. Anderson's positive experience at the University of Michigan Flint and the impact of the supportive faculty shed light on the vital role of academic environments in nurturing students' growth. The dedication of faculty members to student success, coupled with a personalized educational setting, is pivotal in enhancing the overall graduate experience and fostering a sense of community among students and mentors alike.

Focusing on Personal Fulfillment and Mentorship Opportunities

Dr. Anderson's extensive career in epidemiological research serves as a testament to the power of personal fulfillment and the profound impact of mentorship opportunities. Aspiring graduate students are encouraged to leverage these opportunities, define their own measures of success, and seek mentors who can guide and support their academic and professional development. The Impact of Dr. Anderson's Research in Alzheimer's Disease Dr. Anderson's dedication to researching Alzheimer's disease, particularly at a subclinical level and its connection to early life exposures, offers valuable insights into the complexities of neuroepidemiology. His work highlights the pressing need for comprehensive studies in this field and emphasizes the far-reaching implications of epidemiological research in public health.

Conclusion

Dr. Dallas Anderson's conversation on the "Victors in Grad School" podcast provides a wealth of valuable insights for aspiring graduate students, early-career researchers, and public health enthusiasts. From the significance of mentorship and personal fulfillment to the impact of his research in Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Anderson's journey serves as an inspiring example of navigating success in graduate education and making meaningful contributions to the field of epidemiological research.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victors in Grad School. I'm your host, doctor Christopher Lewis, Director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. As always, every week, I love being able to sit down with you, to talk to you, to Help you along this journey that you're on as you look at graduate school for yourself. You might be at the very beginning just thinking about it, Trying to figure out if it's the right step for you. You might be in graduate school. Maybe you just started and you're you're just figuring things out as you go along. Or You could be in the middle or toward the end looking at that light at the end of the tunnel and getting ready for that next step in your career, in your life As you prepare for the next step.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:56]: And that's what this show is all about. This show is all about helping you to find success in that journey that you are going on. So I'm really excited to be able to have you here today, to talk to you, to work with you as you go through that process. And Every week, I love being able to bring you different guests, different people that have gone before you, people that have gone to graduate school, have found success in many different ways, And are here to share that experience with you. Today, we got another great guest with us. Doctor Dallas Anderson is with us, and doctor Anderson is a health Scientist administrator that is working for the National Institutes of Health, doing epidemiological research on Alzheimer's. And we're gonna talk about some of that as well as learn more about his own experience. Dallas, thanks so much for being here today.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:01:47]: My pleasure. Happy to be here, and thanks for inviting me.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:50]: It is my pleasure. Really excited that you were willing to join us today. Now you did your undergraduate work a few years back, and at that time, you did your undergraduate work at the University of Michigan Flint. But at some point During that time in undergrad, you decided that you wanted to make that next step and you decided to To move on to get a master's in public health, talk to me about what was going through your head, what was going through your mind, what were some of those reasons that you chose that you wanted to continue and go to graduate school.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:02:23]: Well, I looked at the lifestyle of professors and people that have advanced education, and I kind of thought that that was for me. I actually have some health issues that were congenital. I was born with 1 kidney and had a heart condition. The heart condition was evaluated at the University of Michigan in hospital, and I grew up in by the way, I grew up in Flint. So my early years in preparing for college, all of that was all done in Flint And with the Flint Public School System, which at the time was really quite an a nifty place. And, of course, Flint was a prosperous Industrial city back when I was a child in 19 fifties and end of 19 sixties. So I was Fortunate to be there, but a lot of people in my time would simply graduate high school and go into the auto industry in the Flint area. I mean, at that time, it was really kind of a big thing in many factories, different kinds of factories and all that.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:03:24]: Well, when I was an adolescent, I was taking a sports physical, and they picked up some funny readings in my my urine. I listened to my heart had some funny readings there, and the recommendation was that I should get evaluated for these things. And so I was. One workup was that the heart was investigated at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, and the other was to investigate kidney function, and that was done at Hurley Hospital in Flint. And the investigation of the kidney showed that I only had one, That I simply was born with 1 kidney, and they wanted to restrict my activities. So no tackle football, no wrestling, nothing that would really cause damage to that kidney. And for the heart issue, they consider it to be clinically Trivial, but they still advised that I stay away from things like full court basketball, and that disappointed me to some extent. But All of this affected my mother.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:04:25]: My mother and father both were working in the auto industry. They had had some vocational training and stuff like that. My mother was convinced that I might not be strong enough to work in a job on the assembly line or something like that in the auto industry. So although she was not educated, she decided that I really needed to move in that direction, and so She was strongly pushing me, in fact, reminding me about my grades. And, you know, your grades are not up to it. And she kept saying the world doesn't owe you a living. That was her thing, and I I don't know. I like a dollar for every time I heard that from her.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:05:05]: But so She was one of my strongest backers in going for college training that would just take me away from physical labor like you might have in the auto industry or something like that. So, actually, it suited my interest because I was not inclined to do that kind of thing anyway. I simply wanted to be educated. I wanted to have a liberal arts education to start with. That was my thought, that I would have a liberal arts education. And then at the graduate level, again, training that would lead to a profession of some kind. So that's the way I I thought about it. Even as an undergraduate, I was thinking about, well, I could do this.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:05:46]: I was thinking, well, what about medicine? Then looked up the course requirements and all that for medicine, dentistry. And actually, when I was in high school, I had gotten close to an economics teacher, and he was talking about the world of economics. And he had this friend that was a stock broker, and he got me together with his friend to talk about possibilities there. And actually, when I started at the U of M Flint, I was thinking I might major in business administration. But during that 1st year, you don't really take courses in business administration. It sort of Started in your 2nd year. So meanwhile, I'm doing the liberal arts stuff, doing, you know, taking math and history, English, and all that. And by the end of my freshman year, professor Caldwell, who was the chairman of the math department, was trying to talk me into becoming a math major.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:06:40]: And he was saying, well, look. You get into math, there are many ways you could go with that. You don't necessarily have to be a teacher of math. Although it seemed attractive to me to be a teacher of math, and I decided, okay. I'm gonna be a math major, But I like biology too, and it turned out that I sort of warped the, you know, the whole thing with liberal education, You know, where you take this and this and this and this. Well, half of my credit hours as an undergraduate were in math and biology. I think it was 40 hours in math and 20 hours in biology. The biology, I sent me because I liked it.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:07:18]: And then what happened was the summer between the junior and senior year, Something like that. I was teaching somebody to water ski. In Michigan, the lakes are there, A lot of boating and stuff. And, you know, in our family, we had this cottage on a lake in Northern Michigan, and we went there. We had a fishing boat, and we had a water skiing boat, and did a lot of water skiing. So one of our neighbors up there I knew the family, but I didn't know everybody in the family, and She asked me to teach one of her sons to water ski, and I never encountered this son of hers Before, I knew some of the siblings, and it turned out that this guy was just completing his PhD At Michigan in biostatistics. And so he was asking me what I was doing, and I said, oh, I'm Majoring in math and a minor in biology. And, you know, just all of a sudden, the light went on, and he was saying, well, why don't you think about biostatistics? And I'd never heard of it.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:08:18]: And so I decided I would go to Ann Arbor and talk to a professor down there. It was in the School of Public Health, Very nice professor was telling me about the program. And one of the things that the fellow mentioned that, you know, when I was teaching in the water He he said, look. If you get accepted into this program, you won't have to pay any tuition, that it's all gonna be free. Because at the time, there were these US traineeships And, basically, for STEM kind of stuff. And virtually everybody in the school of public health was on one of these traineeships. And so, you know, I checked that out with the professor and he said, that's true. And I thought, this is really great.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:08:58]: And I mentioned this to one of my classmates In the math department, who was planning to go to Michigan Graduate School in computer studies to switch from math to computer, And I said, look at this program here. We can go and and have a free education. And she came along. When we both went into the program, She only stayed with it through the masters, and then there was a pharmaceutical company in Ann Arbor, and she basically Had a career there, and, she just, you know, recently retired and all that stuff. Going to the school of public health, the way that worked Was the master's degree with 60 semester hours for a master's. Now compare that to, say, the math program, which was 24. 24 versus 60, but the 60 is free. The reason it was 60 was because they expose you to different areas of public health.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:09:51]: So when you have an Miles per hour degree, it's not merely what you're concentrating on, but you have exposure to things like environmental health, Population planning, medical care organization, and so it was great. I I really enjoyed that extra component. And so At the end of the Miles per hour program, the money that I had for that traineeship dried up. And so I was looking to go on to the Rackham Graduate School for the PhD in biostat, and I was fortunate enough to get a Rackham fellowship. And so I was able to just sort of continue on Being supported, now it's not federal support, but from the university itself. And at some point, in taking my courses getting more advanced in biostat, I decided to take a class in survey sampling, and that, all of a sudden, really excited me, and the teacher was world famous. He was just the go to person. If you want hands on training to be a career have a career in survey sampling, this kind of thing.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:10:59]: And he was an idea generator. He was a professor of sociology. He was not so analytical. And so as I got at the dissertation level, I had 2 advisers. He was my chief adviser, but I had to have someone from the biostat department to be like a colead on my dissertation committee. And this other person was very strong analytically because, actually, my dissertation very much had a lot of math in it. If you just flip through the page, you say, oh my god. Look at all this math.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:11:31]: But some of that is rooted in my training at the University of Michigan Flint with some extra training in graduate school, and then I got to a point where I was able to I never could've predicted it from, you know, when I was younger Doing all this math. So this advisor was opening my eyes up. He was very global. He was actually from Hungary, born in Hungary, And he had a global approach to everything, and he had this program for foreign statisticians. And so he said, it'd be good for me to join in on that. And so all of a sudden, I'm getting excited about cross cultural issues and

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:11]: Now you've had a varied career, one that has taken you all over the place allowed you to research many different things. Can you tell me a little bit about that career and where it's led you over the years?

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:12:22]: You know, when I was growing up, I basically didn't go anywhere. I went to the lake, and we did our water skiing and all this kind of stuff. Even though, like, I was Very close to Canada. Never even went there as a child. I mean, it would have been an hour and a half or whatever to get to Canada. We never went there. And so I came to realize at some point that I really needed to expand my horizons in terms of All those kinds of stuff. So I'm working at the population level.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:12:52]: That that's what my training was. I was connected with the Institute For Social Research in Ann Arbor And then how I got my job, my 1st job at MIA, was a chance thing. I was at 1, a major statistical meeting, And I met one of the persons who had graduated from the BioStat program a couple years ahead of me. I I knew who he was, and he knew me. And, we got together and he said, the NIH Neurology Institute is looking for somebody like you. I mean, this was a new information for me. I was somewhat interested in NIH anyway because a number of very famous statisticians were there. And I thought, gosh.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:13:34]: If these people are having a career there, it must be satisfying for them. And so I Check that out too. And sure enough, they were looking for somebody like me, and so I applied for a job there. And, essentially, I was hired as a survey statistician, but I was functioning in the area of epidemiology, neuroepidemiology. We were studying major neurological conditions sometimes in the United States, but sometimes abroad. So My first project was in rural Mississippi, which was the contrast to me, you know, northern urban background all of a sudden In rural Mississippi, it was a bit of a culture shock, but that was another thing. It just took me away from what I knew As a child, when all of a sudden, I'm exploring new things, and within 2 years of being in the Neurology Institute, I was part of a team where we were official guests of the government of Egypt. And so I had a chance to go to Egypt.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:14:37]: We were there to advise a stroke study. We visited some hospitals and everything, and we were wondering why they wanna do a stroke study because we were seeing so much malnutrition, and we thought they should really maybe focus on something else. And it turned out that they really didn't wanna do a Stroke study, what they wanted was an advanced scanner for brains. At the time, this was a CT scan. And today, that sounds kind of old fashioned, but in the 19 seventies, that was kinda like state of the art kind of stuff. And one of the team members actually arranged for the government of Egypt to acquire a scanner that they put in one of their their prestigious hospitals and all of that. So at some point, I'm sitting in a hotel in Luxor, Egypt, sitting out or in India. It's like a Portier out front facing the Nile River, and boats are going down the river.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:15:32]: And across the river is the valley of the kings and the valley of the Queens, and I'm thinking, my god. How far have I come from those days of just going to the lake? That was my 1st foreign trip to go to Egypt. But I've had in the course of the years, I've had projects in China, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Guam, so all these opportunities for travel. And part of it goes back to my at the Institute For Social Research were all these cultural things. And to me, it was just exciting. And then at some point, I decided to switched from actually doing the hands on work research to the funding side, the funding of grants related to the very thing that I was doing. So I had all these years of expertise, and now I would advise other people Who wanna do projects either in the United States or abroad even to be funded through the National Institute on Aging, and so that's what I do now. My focus is on Alzheimer's, and my family has a lot of dementia in the family.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:16:46]: And so here it is. I have an opportunity to do battle with the disease that's Doing in my family and many other families, Alzheimer's is a major public health problem in the United States worldwide as well. Today, we're trying to study the disease in low and middle income countries as well as in the United States, and it's all very exciting. And And I've been at this now for 20 years, and there's been a lot of advances. We've got there's more to be done. But comparing now Where you have all these biomarkers and things like that. They didn't have that 20 years ago and they were always studying dementia in old people. And now they realize that the disease starts subclinically and may, you know, take many years to actually manifest.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:17:37]: And so now this sort of a life course epidemiology where you think about exposures of children, exposures in midlife, And how that pertains to the risk of developing the condition in your more senior years. So it's all very That's fine to

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:17:54]: me. To get to where you are today, you also had people that helped you to get there. And I know that mentoring has been something that You have had throughout your career that has helped you to be able to become the person that you are today. How has mentoring helped you? And how do you feel that it led you to doing what you're doing today?

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:18:20]: I had mentors all along the way, Including after I came to NIH. In fact, you can imagine that my dissertation adviser was a continuing mentor after I left school. But the funny thing was that I developed a relationship with this very famous statistician who did quality control work. His name was w Edwards Deming, and, he's a famous guy, and you can look up some of his stuff on YouTube. And the irony was that he used to mentor my dissertation adviser. So my dissertation adviser, his name was Leslie Kish, also a famous guy. He said, oh, why don't you try to teach Deming something and complete the circle? I knew Deming for a few years, and I never found anything I could teach him actually. But mentorship was something that I valued all the way along the way, and I consider even that economics teacher in high school To be like an early mentor.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:19:16]: And then doctor Caldwell at the University of Michigan Flint, who was the chairman of the math department, He followed my career all the way through the graduation from U of M Flint and beyond because he was curious to know how this was gonna play out. And then I got to the School of Public Health and took up a relationship with this guy who Was a demographer and was actually the chairman the chair of the department of biostat. And he had earlier in his Career, he had been one of the the people that shaped the Framingham study. If you've ever heard of that one, that was a major cardiovascular epidemiology study done in Framingham, Massachusetts, and that study is having its 75th anniversary this year. So it's still going on after 75 years. And so he helped to put it on the footing of an epidemiology kind of study that was geographically based and all that kind of stuff. And then, of course, I met my dissertation adviser, who became sort of the next major mentor, and then Deming, Finally, when I got to Bethesda, so the mentors were just critical all the way along the way. And so many things I did Some decades ago, but probably the whole mentoring thing resonates today.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:20:37]: It's very, very important.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:20:39]: I appreciate you sharing that. Now one of the things that you talked about, I think, about going from the University of Michigan Flint to then moving Moving to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to do your master's and doctorate. When you make those transitions, You know, education's different. The way that you are taught in your undergrad is different than the way that you're taught in the master's or the doctorate level and that the Expectations are a little bit different in what you have to do to be able to prepare yourself and to be able to make sure that you're setting yourself Upright for success is a little bit different. So as you think back to that transition, that transition from undergraduate work to graduate work, you were able to find success In that transition, what did you have to do to be able to set yourself up for success, and what did you have to do to maintain that success throughout grad school?

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:21:29]: Well, in some ways, I was kind of lucky in that at the University of Michigan Flint, it wasn't a very big school, and and you can imagine in the math department way back when I was there in the in basically in the late 19 sixties and graduated in 1971 to be a math major. It was a small group. I mean, it was not a huge, Huge group. And so we all knew each other and everything. And then when I got to Ann Arbor for biostat, It also was not large. You picture these lecture halls with 200 students in there, and that's not what I experienced Except when I was doing the peripheral public health training outside of Biostat, where I was with public health nurses, Other people majoring in epidemiology or medical care organization, population planning, all this kind of stuff. So I could find myself in a big group, and there I was lucky too. Like, for example, for medical care organization, The professor was considered to be one of the best professors in all of the University of Michigan, And he was my teacher.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:22:43]: It was a larger group to be sure, but he was an incredible lecturer. Sure. I went into that thing. Oh, this is gonna be really boring, and he just brought it to life. It was very interesting. And and a lot of these other things We're interesting too, like environmental health. We were having lectures on toilets around the world, you know, how how you can have a different kind of toilet system in a different place and all that. I didn't see that that was critical to my career training, but but certainly was interest.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:23:13]: So there was all this stuff going on That was interesting. And I have to say that one of the things in in the biostat training that I wondered about, Like, for example, if somebody's doing a clinical trial or something like that where they're testing the efficacy of a drug, given the way that people are chosen for these Clinical trials that they may be patients at a a medical center or something like that. How do you actually generalize? And so beyond those people that were actually in the study, and I found that to be a little unsatisfying how they did it because, basically, it was sort of Assuming. Well, if you find people like the ones that are in your trial, you can generalize to them. But when I got to take survey sample and realized that there actually is a statistical approach for drawing a sample and then making generalization to a larger Congratulations. That really excited me, and I thought, wow. This is kind of a solution. And so all of a sudden, I went from being Somewhat skeptical to being really excited, and that was for me.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:24:19]: And my professor, Kish, he actually suggested my dissertation topic. It was a very broad suggestion, and he'd actually given the very same suggestion to some other students over the years. And so I decided I didn't wanna know what they were doing because I didn't want my thought process To be clouded by what they were doing. So I stayed away from them and did my own thing, and I generated Four peer reviewed papers from my doctoral thesis, and that didn't even include anything like a literature review or anything like that. And some of the stuff was Very mathematical. And one of my first published paper was actually an appendix from my dissertation. Without adapting it too much, it sort of became My 1st paper, and it was a math paper, essentially. So I was pleased with that.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:25:11]: And then the other ones were sort of a bit broader. And and sometimes My dissertation adviser would be a coauthor, but I think on that first one, I might have been all by myself. They just thought I should have at least 1 paper where I'm the only author. That dissertation adviser, he treated me like family. So I literally I mean, I would go over to his house and stuff, and I had a couple of daughters They were more or less my age, and one of them moved to Washington. And so when I moved to the Washington area, he would come out to visit his daughter, and and And he would get together with me too. I mean, not the 3 of us, but he would find time for me while he was out there with family, and then he also had Some business that he was doing there as well. But at the dissertation level, he's so famous that he just showed up at the Census Bureau and said that he would like to have a A research contract to support me and also have some money for him, and they just said yes.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:26:06]: So my Actual dissertation work beyond beyond the coursework was funded by this contract with the Census Bureau. And then when I got to Bethesda, They wanted me to come over to the Census Bureau to give a seminar on my dissertation, essentially, which they had helped to fund and you're saying, and I did that, and I was happy to do it.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:26:26]: Now you've given a lot of piece of advice today, a lot of things for people to think about in their own journey. As you think back To the the journey that you went on yourself and the journey that you went through, and you think about others that are coming along now that are thinking about graduate school. What are some tips that you might offer others considering graduate education that would help them define success?

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:26:49]: I think they need to get comfortable with the graduate program would be a focus on something, and they might even have More than one possibility, and so they really need to come to a decision about which direction to take. And this is not something you you might do for a week. Thinking about it for a week, you got your whole undergraduate time to think about the next Yeah. And so that would be the first thing is to okay. What are you gonna do? And then of Michigan was great. I knew that it was attracting people from all over the world, actually, as Students. And so I never questioned my decision to go to Anheuser. It just was a natural thing.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:27:34]: But I realized there are people who Alright. U of M Flint, it might not have grown up in Michigan even, and so they can have a completely different point of view. And they may need to Hone in. Okay. Having a topic area, but then which university might be best for their topic. And so they might need to get comfortable with looking at different universities and that kind of thing as well. But they really need to focus on And that's a major decision. Right? Because all of a sudden, you're you're gonna go along a career path, and you wanna have success there.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:28:08]: And not only success, but you Wanna be happy. You wanna be satisfied that you're doing something that's useful and something that's important.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:28:16]: Well, Dallas, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing Everything that you have shared, for sharing the journey that you went on and the amazing career that you've had, and I truly wish you all the best.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:28:27]: Well, thank you. And I had an opportunity to visit the University of Michigan Flint earlier in the year, and it's so different now than what it used to be. It used to be such a small place was 1 building, and I think they might have had at least 1 trailer. I don't know whether they had more than 1, but I think the math department was actually in the trailer. So that was another But so now when I see the Murphy Science Building and all this other stuff, you know, Murphy was a professor for me. He was my zoology professor when I was a freshman, and it was a tragedy that by the end of my freshman year, he had died. I never understood what the cause of death was, but when I had him in that 1st semester, he seemed healthy enough. And then I Switched to the next thing was botany, zoology, botany, and then genetics, and so I was involved with the next chair of the department of biology.

Dr. Dallas Anderson [00:29:20]: So I had connections there too. And so I was an assistant in both the biology department and the math department. And so all these things are possible. Well, thank you so much. And I'm absolutely convinced that the University of Michigan Flint with its emphasis on not only Training, but going the extra mile the faculty going the extra mile for the students is really something. And I was pleased to find out that this Continues today after decades.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:29:49]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing here in education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflute.eduforward/graduateprograms To find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, Email me at [email protected].

The decision to pursue graduate education is a significant milestone for many individuals. It marks a new chapter of learning, growth, and personal development. In a recent podcast episode of Victors in Grad School podcast, hosted by Dr. Christopher Lewis, Raymond Pirouz, an instructor at Michigan State University, shared his experiences and insights on his graduate school journey. From his motivation to pursue an MBA to the challenges and rewards of returning to academics after years of professional experience, Pirouz provided valuable perspectives for anyone considering or currently engaged in graduate education.

Making the Decision to Pursue Graduate Education

Pirouz reflected on the timing of his decision to pursue a graduate degree, highlighting how life events and professional commitments often detour initial plans. Despite the delay, he emphasized the importance of recognizing one's readiness and finding the right moment to invest in oneself. His journey underscores the idea that graduate education should be seen as a gift to oneself—a pathway to personal enrichment and growth.

Choosing the Right Program and University

As someone with a background in graphic design and marketing, Pirouz explained his inclination towards business education, viewing the MBA program as a natural progression to align with his career interests. When selecting the University of Michigan Flint for his MBA, Pirouz prioritized flexibility and found personal significance in contributing to the Flint community. This insight demonstrates the value of considering not only academic factors but also personal and community-related elements when choosing a graduate program.

Balancing Graduate School with Professional and Personal Commitments

Transitioning back into a student role after years of teaching, Pirouz acknowledged the need for discipline, time management, and relationship building. Drawing from his teaching experience, he identified the importance of setting and pursuing goals, strategic commitment, and the nurturing of meaningful connections with faculty and peers. His experience provides a practical understanding of how individuals can navigate the dual responsibilities of graduate school and personal/professional obligations.

Applying Learnings from Graduate School

Upon completing his MBA, Pirouz seamlessly integrated his newly acquired knowledge into his teaching. He emphasized that the value of a graduate degree lies not in discrete activities or lessons but in the overall growth and development it fosters. The capacity to manage group dynamics, deadlines, and complex challenges during his studies has now become inherent in his professional work, reflecting the real-world applicability of graduate education.

Mentoring Future Graduate Students

As a mentor, Pirouz shares his insights with future graduate students, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of the workforce and the role of a graduate degree in professional advancement. He encourages prospective students to consider gaining work experience before pursuing graduate education, emphasizing the benefits of a mature perspective in the academic environment.

Embracing the Graduate School Experience

Pirouz's unique perspective as a returning adult entering a student cohort with varying levels of professional experience sheds light on the diverse dynamics of graduate education. His approach to group activities, management challenges, and self-determination within the educational experience encapsulates the essence of embracing learning as a personal journey of empowerment and growth.

Conclusion

Raymond Pirouz's journey through graduate school and subsequent application of his learnings reflect the holistic impact of higher education on personal and professional development. His insights offer a roadmap for individuals embarking on their own graduate journeys, reminding us that the pursuit of knowledge and growth is not confined to the classroom but extends to how we navigate, engage with, and contribute to the world around us. In conclusion, Raymond Pirouz's valuable insights serve as a guide for individuals navigating the multifaceted landscape of graduate education, offering guidance, encouragement, and wisdom for anyone seeking to embark on, or currently engaged in their own graduate school journey.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Welcome back to Victors in Grad School. I'm your host doctor Christopher Lewis, director of Graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint, really excited to have you back again this week. Every week, I love being able to sit down, talk to you, To work with you on this journey that you're on. And it is a journey because I know that you might just be at that Beginning stages as you're thinking about, do I really wanna do this? Do I want to step into graduate school? You may be in graduate school or have already applied to graduate Cool. And now you're getting ready to start or you're in graduate school and you're working toward that light at the end of the tunnel. No matter where you're at, There are things that you can do to be successful in graduate school, and that's what this podcast is all about. It's all about helping you to learn from others, to Help you to give you the skills that you need to be able to think about the future and your future success. I love being able to walk with you on this path because there are things that you can do now and in the future to prepare yourself well for that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:16]: And that's why every week I also love having different guests on the show that have gone before you, that have experienced graduate school, Have done graduate school and can share that experience with you as well. This week, we've got another great guest. Raymond Peruzz is with us, and Raymond is an instructor at Michigan State University, Teaches a number of different classes at the undergraduate level, the MBA level, the executive MBA level, And even some specific courses that are very targeted. And he did his graduate work at the University of Michigan Flint getting his MBA in the past. I'm really excited to have him here today to talk to you about his experience. Raymond, thanks so much for being here today.

Raymond Pirouz [00:02:06]: Well, thank you so much for having me. It's my pleasure.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:08]: It is my pleasure having you here today. Love being able to talk to you and learn from your experience. 1st and foremost, I wanna turn the clock back, and I know that you did your undergraduate work at the Art Center College of Design, you got a BFA there. And then from there, you went on, you had a number of other opportunities, experiences working. And at some point during all of those experiences that you had, you made a decision made a decision that you wanted to continue your education and get Your MBA. And so let's go back in time and talk to me about what was going through your head as you're going through those work experiences is that led you to deciding that you wanted to go back and get that graduate degree?

Raymond Pirouz [00:02:51]: Well, I mean, it's a good question because my goal was to get my graduate degree Pretty much right after my undergrad degree. However, as they as the saying goes, life gets in the way. Right? Work gets in the way, relationships, what have you. All kinds of things happen that for one reason or another may become blocks to your being able to achieve those objectives you may have set for yourself earlier. So at some point, 25 or so years after receiving my undergrad, I finally decided that, you know, it's now is the time. I'm not getting any younger, and I really wasn't a position where I do that for myself. So, I mean, I I did see it as, like, a gift to myself, and that is really what it is. I mean, at the end of the day, education, if you think about, you know, if you just think more broadly about why we're here.

Raymond Pirouz [00:03:36]: Who knows. Right? Who knows why we're here on this planet. However, the one thing that I do know is that flesh and blood, I am for real, and the one thing I could do is to Elevate myself and make myself the best version of myself, and that is an investment in myself. So at some point, I decided, you know I'm finally in a position where I can take the time. Kids were grown, had more time, had made some investments, and had the opportunity to then be able to dedicate and, you know, treat myself to a graduate degree to take myself to the next level.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:04:05]: So in giving yourself that gift that you decided to get that Masters in business administration. Talk to me about why an MBA. What was it about an MBA that made you decide that that was the route that you wanted to go? And 2, You probably had a lot of different options. You could have gone to a lot of different schools. You ended up choosing to attend the University of Michigan Flint. Talk to me about why The University of Michigan, Flint was the choice for you.

Raymond Pirouz [00:04:30]: Yeah. Well, why MBA? So as you mentioned, you know, my undergrad was in graphic design from the ArtCenter College of Design. I started my career in advertising. And, obviously, I worked many years after that, and I ended up My professional career allowed my last role as director of marketing. So I did progress in my career organically. However, From the beginning, I had an interest in business. So even when I was in a design student, my interest was in the impact that design could have on business. So I wasn't as interested as my peers were in terms of the aesthetic value of design for design sake.

Raymond Pirouz [00:05:05]: I was far more interested in the commercial aspect, the commercial implications, the commercial impact. And so that kind of actually kinda made me an outcast in the United School, Believe it or not. Right? So I was like a troublemaker. People didn't like that orientation, but that's the orientation I had. And so I knew that I naturally felt more comfortable. Especially when I talk to other people who were business people, I just felt more comfortable in that space. And so I knew that that's what I wanted to pursue, and that made the most sense To me, it was the perfect fit for me. As they say, you know, you gotta find that perfect fit.

Raymond Pirouz [00:05:37]: For some, it's a journey. For me, it was a journey to find who I am, what I respond to, what I like, what works for me, And the MBA was just perfect. Obviously, MBA in marketing, not MBA in finance or accounting. So, yes, I knew what role I I would pursue with within the MBA as an area of focus, of course. Why UN Flint? So strategically, I was looking for a program that would work with my schedule. I was busy doing everything that I was doing, so it needed to be flexible. So flexibility was the number one reason I chose UNFlint. The other, I think, variable is that for whatever reason, just Flint to me just is interesting.

Raymond Pirouz [00:06:13]: It's like for me to be involved In anything having to do with that part of the world, in a way, I mean, I don't know. It feels like I'm giving back or made a contribution to that community, and I wanted to support that community. So that's another reason why I thought Flint was a good choice. So flexibility and somehow being involved With that brand and, you know, giving back to that community. I I knew that, you know, by involving myself and going to that school, I met going to that community, eating lunch there, Stinging hotels there, supporting that community. So that was important to me.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:43]: Now as you said, for you, it was 25 Years after your undergrad that you decided to go get that graduate degree, you'd been teaching in the past, But being a student again, there is a transition that you have to go into. Now you were able to find success In that graduate school experience for yourself, but what did you have to do to set yourself up for success as you transition back into being a student. And what did you have to do to maintain that success as you were balancing all of the other things that you were doing throughout that graduate school experience?

Raymond Pirouz [00:07:21]: Yeah. So it's a good point that I have been teaching for over 25 years now. I started teaching right after my undergrad. I've just Always been fascinated with the idea of taking complicated information, packaging it, and delivering it to other people to help them lead their lives, right, to become successful themselves. So I always loved that. As I was doing that, obviously, I learned by observing what makes a good student. What are some of the behaviors of the better students in class? So I learned from that actually, and you learn a lot from the people that you're in the room with and whether or not you're a student or a faculty member, if you're paying attention. So I'm the kind of person who does pay attention.

Raymond Pirouz [00:07:54]: And so I learned from that. But I also I mean, obviously, The, as you grow up, you learn what works and what doesn't work in life. I knew that being disciplined and being able to set aside and make a commitment to an effort for it to be successful was the only way for it to become a success. And so you have to be very goal oriented, very strategic, very thoughtful in your approach, so I knew that I had to dedicate. And that's why it Took me a while to be able to put myself in a position to be able to treat myself. I didn't wanna do it and be a failure at it. I wanted to be a success, so I knew that it was gonna take a a Tremendous amount of effort that was going to take some dedication and a lot of discipline to be able to set aside the time. When you have a family, you know, you're gonna have to Set aside your week and make sure that you have certain number of hours that you dedicate to 1 task versus another.

Raymond Pirouz [00:08:37]: I was in a position to be able to dedicate a certain number of hours to study and doing a good job. The other thing I learned obviously throughout my professional career and and working and teaching was that relationships were very important. And I knew that I needed to be very good at building and nurturing the relationships that I would have with not just faculty members, but also with my peers in the program. And I knew that being able to do that would lead me to to a more successful overall experience. And and, obviously, I set forth with the intention of doing that as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:09:07]: Now you had many years of experience. You've been a teacher. You have worked with Students in your own classrooms. You finished this masters of business administration. You continue to teach. How How do you see yourself incorporating what you learned throughout your degree into the work that you do every day?

Raymond Pirouz [00:09:27]: I do it every day. You know? So for me, the master's degree was just the next step of my personal evolution. Right? The the idea of self Factualization, the idea of making yourself your best self. So I can't say that very specifically this one activity I do is directly related to the degree. That's not the way it works. The way it works is that the degree makes you a more well rounded, a more whole, better version of yourself. You started as version 1.0, and then with the graduate degree, now you're version 3.0. You know what I mean? So, overall, you're going to be Far more accomplished individual who's able to overcome adversity even that much better because the MBA program or any graduate program for the most part is going to consist of endless amounts of group activity, teamwork, deadlines that you have to meet.

Raymond Pirouz [00:10:17]: And the way I interpret these experiences was that they are preparing you to be A more thoughtful and more accomplished and more successful professional, because that is what the real world is about. It's about deadlines. It's about working with other people. So if you can manage that process successfully throughout the MBA program, in this case, and or any other graduate program, which probably, you know, is structure similarly. You're gonna do a lot better in the professional world after this experience. It is only gonna make you better.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:44]: Now you have a kind of a unique Perspective. Because you teach students at the undergraduate, the graduate level, and you've gone through that graduate degree yourself, I'm sure that you mentor many students Along the way, as students come to you in your classes or you interact with students on the campus, what are some tips that you might offer to anyone That is considering graduate education that would help them find success in that journey.

Raymond Pirouz [00:11:10]: I mean, what I tell people Is that nowadays, the world is so competitive, so hypercompetitive that an undergrad is simply just no longer enough to push yourself to the next level. So that's a very practical way to think about it in terms of your overall effort to progress in life and in business And up the corporate ladder, if you will. So that's one way to think about it. Obviously, there's a practical implication and impact to obtaining a graduate degree. The other thing I'd say is that the The experiences that you get in an undergrad, the context of it is like a deer in the headlights. And when you're young, you don't know what you don't know yet. As you get older and as you have more experience, you'll learn a lot more about how the world works. And then it's a good idea to then expose yourself To the thinking that's offered in a graduate program that is largely abstract, but the abstraction of it is important because it takes complex Realities of the world and then packages it in abstract representations of these complexities so that you can unpack it And compare it to the experiences that you've had.

Raymond Pirouz [00:12:15]: So which I always also tell people, it's not actually a good idea to pursue a graduate degree right after you're undergrad. It is a good idea to go out there And explore and experience some of what the world has to offer and then go back to a graduate degree. My feeling is that you get a lot more out of it, especially when you're Older, I feel you're a lot more serious about the educational experience can be. A lot more serious about what the educational experience is really all about, And you'll appreciate it a lot more. Adult learners seem to make more of their experience in an educational setting than younger folks For various reasons. So I think it's just a part of a natural evolution of a person that wants to take themselves to the next level.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:53]: Sage Advice, I really appreciate you sharing that, Raymond, and I really appreciate you really delving into the experience that you've had In how you're utilizing that, I mean, it seems as you said, I mean, you're using it on a daily basis because you're teaching it again. And I love the the concept though of Looking at this as an evolution, one thing that I probably should have asked earlier that I think would be interesting is as you said at the very beginning, One of the things that you had thought about was that you were going to go to graduate school right after undergrad. And going right From undergrad to grad, you are in a very different space. And as you said, you don't know what you don't know. You took The time you had work experience and then came back to the classroom. As a returning adult going into graduate school And being in a mix of students that are students that have work experience or that come right from undergrad, What was that experience like for you, and how did you manage that situation for yourself?

Raymond Pirouz [00:13:58]: It was actually a really fun experience. I mean, truth be told, I was Probably the oldest person or one of the oldest people at the program when I was in it. I'm 55 now, and I must have just turned 50 or something like that. It was crazy. But, Ashley was a lot of fun because, like I said, there are so many group activities, and every time like, so I saw it as fun. Every time there was a new group activity. You know, some people would say, oh, here we go, another group or, you know, another group project. But I would say, wow.

Raymond Pirouz [00:14:24]: You know, another opportunity to see how this one's gonna go because the challenge is in obviously building rapport with complete strangers, getting to know them, trying to determine How the group's going to work if it's going to work? Are the people responsive? Do the other people in your group seem to be taking the weight of this opportunity as seriously as you're taking it so that you can have a fruitful, meaningful interaction. There are some people that are more checked out than others. So there is a dynamic at play every time a new group is formed. And that to me is a huge challenge. That's, like, the biggest challenge is to establish the group, get the group norms functioning properly so that you can have a meaningful interaction so you can come up with exceptional work. And that at the end of the day, Again, it's very realistic because that's how the real world works. You're gonna be working with actual people. Not all of them are gonna wanna be doing what you're tasked to do.

Raymond Pirouz [00:15:17]: And so the challenge is to get everyone around the fire and make sure everyone is happy and has what they need and is able to do the best work that they can deliver. And that is a huge management challenge. So if you think about, you know, micro experiences of management challenges of dealing with people, the MBA program is a great laboratory for that, for building management thinking. Again, if you see it like this so I I always tell my students, you're gonna get out of this class what you put into it. Easy to say, Hard to understand or appreciate. You're only gonna get out of the program what you put into it. You can go in to the program, the entire program, and end up saying, I got nothing out of this program. I don't know what this was all about.

Raymond Pirouz [00:15:56]: That would be a horrible way to go through any program, but there are many people who go through Classes and programs like that. Alright? Or you can go through the program and say, this is what I want out of the program. This is why I'm doing it, and I'm gonna make it happen for me. It doesn't matter who the faculty is. It doesn't matter what the textbook is, what it says in there. I know what I'm gonna get out of this experience, and I'm gonna make the experience work for me. That is the objective of every student who wants to be a good student. You can make the program what you want, but you have to go into it with that mindset.

Raymond Pirouz [00:16:25]: It's not about someone opening up, You know, the the lid of your skull and pouring information in, it's all on you to make it work for you. And the beauty of it is you can make that work with any program. The program that you inflect, exceptional for enabling you to do that.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:39]: Well, Raymond, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing your journey today. Thank you for sharing the things that you have learned not only as a Student, but also as a instructor, and I truly wish you all the best.

Raymond Pirouz [00:16:53]: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure being here.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:55]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit food.eduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a Victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, Email me at [email protected].

The journey towards pursuing a graduate degree often begins with understanding the intricate admission process and requirements. Dr. Christopher Lewis, host of the Victors in Grad School podcast, shares valuable insights on the nuances of graduate school applications, shedding light on the essential elements that prospective students need to consider. Letter of Recommendation: Articulating Your Journey and Aspirations As Dr. Lewis highlights, letters of recommendation play a pivotal role in the graduate admission process. Prospective applicants are advised to communicate their application stage to recommenders, providing specific points that would add value to their letters. It's crucial for applicants to select recommenders who are familiar with their academic journey and can eloquently advocate for their suitability for the program. Crafting a Persuasive Personal Statement The personal statement is a platform for applicants to showcase their unique qualities, ambitions, and alignment with their chosen program. Dr. Lewis emphasizes the importance of demonstrating in-depth knowledge about the program while avoiding repetition of information from the resume. Applicants are encouraged to be specific, concise, and meticulous in proofreading their personal statement to convey a compelling narrative. Insights into Graduate Program Interviews The interview stage of the graduate admission process can be conducted through single-person or group interviews. Dr. Lewis stresses that these interviews serve as a means to assess not only the applicant's subject knowledge but also their personal characteristics. It's pivotal for applicants to prepare adequately and present themselves authentically during these interactions. Understanding Admission Decisions and Financial Considerations Upon submitting applications, prospective students may encounter outcomes such as acceptance, denial, or placement on a waitlist. Dr. Lewis advises responding to acceptance promptly, while also being prepared to manage the financial aspects of graduate education. Understanding and adhering to application deadlines, deposit requirements, and potential financial aid options becomes integral during this phase of the process. Navigating the Diverse Landscape of Graduate Programs Dr. Lewis underscores the significance of a comprehensive approach to researching and comparing graduate programs. Prospective students are encouraged to create a comparison spreadsheet, taking into account factors such as program costs, class offerings, faculty backgrounds, and application deadlines. Tailoring Application Strategies to Unique Program Requirements Different graduate programs may have diverse application processes and requirements, even within the same institution. It is imperative for applicants to diligently research each program's specific prerequisites, including application costs, transcript submissions, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose requirements. Understanding these unique criteria is key to crafting tailored and impactful application strategies. Preparing for Standardized Tests and Timely Application Submissions Prospective students are advised to research and prepare for standardized tests required by specific graduate programs. Whether it's the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, applicants are encouraged to plan their test dates and study schedules strategically. Moreover, meticulously adhering to application timeliness and considerations for transcript submissions are pivotal steps in ensuring a smooth application process. Choosing the Right Graduate Program: A Holistic Approach In the pursuit of the perfect graduate program, prospective applicants are urged to consider various pertinent factors. Dr. Lewis advocates for exploring internship opportunities, connecting with faculty and alumni, and attending information sessions or open houses to gain deeper insights into the culture and ethos of different programs. Moreover, assessing program accreditations and aligning program offerings with career objectives are crucial components in making an informed decision. Incorporating these insights and strategies into their graduate school application journeys equips prospective students with the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate this transformative phase of their educational and professional pursuits. Dr. Lewis's guidance serves as a compass, empowering aspiring graduate students to approach the admission process with confidence and clarity. TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]: Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]: Hello, and welcome. Thank you so much for being here. My name is doctor Christopher For Lewis, I'm the director of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint. I'm really excited to have you here today. Today, I'm hoping that we'll be able to have a A very interactive conversation about graduate school and what it takes to get into graduate school to be able to understand the process of getting into graduate school. Thank you so much for being here. We're really excited to have you here today and to talk about this. I'm hoping to be able to use the next, 45 minutes or so to be able to talk about graduate school, talk about All the things that you need to be thinking about as it comes to graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:52]: We do have a chat function here, and I encourage you to Use the chat function to be able to introduce yourselves, so feel free to introduce yourself, who you are, where you're from. Go ahead in the chat and do that. And we're gonna be talking about a lot of different things. 1st and foremost, we're gonna be talking about the actual admission process. What do you have to do to be considered For graduate school, how do you pay for this? As a student, whether you're a domestic student, an international student, Whatever it may be, it's important to understand that and what you need to do to be able to prepare for that and The cost of going to graduate school. Some graduate programs are going to be requiring test scores, transcripts, things that you're going to need to send to the school as well as letters of recommendation or statements of purpose or other types of factors, other types of things that you're going to need to send into the programs themselves. So all of those things are are things that you're going to be needing to think about to be able to prepare yourself for as you're looking at the future. Some programs also use an interview process.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:07]: We'll talk about that and what that can look like. Some of the information I'm gonna be sharing today is A little more general information because I wanna make sure that you understand because every graduate program, every university is just a little bit different. So I'm gonna give you some generalities, especially for graduate school in the United States and what that looks like, also what it looks like here at the University of Michigan Flint. And then finally, what happens at the point of you get everything in, you submit that application, and you then are waiting for that admission decision, And what do you need to do to prepare yourself for after the fact to be able to, then be able to start in your graduate education if you're accepted? Okay. So all of this being said, let's step into the admission process. So as you're looking at the admission process, 1st and foremost, one of the things that everyone needs to do is you need to take the time to be able to Truly research graduate programs. You may have an idea in your head right now about The program or types of programs that you're looking for, every program is a little bit different. So it is important that you take your time To do your research and to look at all of the different types of programs that are out there, whether it be looking at law school to A master of science in computer science to public administration, to business, to health, whatever it may be.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:03:44]: There are many different types of programs, and every program looks a little bit different. The classes that you're gonna be taking are different. The philosophy of the program is different. The backgrounds of the faculty are different. So delving deep into different programs To explore those programs and to set them side by side will allow for you An opportunity to be able to explore them and compare them equally amongst each other. I typically tell students That one of the things that really helps students is to set up a spreadsheet of sorts, Whether it's in Google or Microsoft Excel or some other type of Excel sheet and make columns For each college that you're considering and in the rows, create a way for yourself to be able to look at each college and compare each college to the same factors, then you're comparing them on an equal basis. So if they if you wanna if if price is a is really important, then you put price there. If it's certain classes Or you're looking for a specific concentration, if you're looking for specific backgrounds of faculty, you write all of that in there So that when you're truly comparing each program, you're able to set them side by side and you're able to then allow yourself to get a better picture of what each program would offer you and what the differences are.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:20]: After you do that, Make sure you also have those deadlines in there because there are different deadlines for different programs, and you want to be able to make sure you're not missing an application deadline. And you want to make sure that you're applying by those deadlines and getting everything complete. As you're doing your research, you're going to need to also make sure That you are looking at the requirements for each program. Each program is going to be very unique from one another. I look at the programs even at my own institution and even at my own institution here at the University of Michigan Flint. What I come to find is that across even our programs, there's differences. There may be similar things happening within similar within similar colleges, But if you are but if you're looking at something that is in, let's say, the School of management or you're looking at something that is in a completely different college, the requirements may be very different. So as As you're looking at the admission requirements, you're gonna wanna look at things like, what's the cost to apply? Not only to the institution, is there Any additional cost to apply specifically to that program? Some programs do have different fees, different costs, Different you may have to pay a deposit if you are admitted to the program.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:44]: So you have to look at all of those factors. Because as you're planning for graduate school, those are going to be things that you're going to be need to be looking at to be able to know what The actual cost is going to be. Many graduate programs these days are going to be requiring that you have, one, Your transcripts and we'll talk about transcripts a little bit later, but your transcripts sent in. If you are a domestic student, it's pretty easy. A lot of schools are using electronic means to be able to get those transcripts submitted, and it's a pretty direct process. At our institution, most Students are able to send their domestic transcripts from US institutions directly through parchment from your institution over to our institution. If you are an an international student, you typically are going to need to either 1, depending on the institution, you're gonna have to have your Transcripts evaluated through an, an outside evaluation entity, such as WES or ECE, Span Tran, Educational perspectives. There's lots of different ones that are out there, and you need to look at your individual program to see if they require that, what they require, Or institutions may be willing to review your transcripts and review your unofficial transcripts And give you a little bit of time to get those official transcripts to the institution.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:11]: But, again, each individual campus is going to be different, So you need to look at the requirements, read fully, and make sure you understand. And if you have questions, you always reach out. Many programs will require some type of letters of recommendation. It could be 1. It could be 2. It could be 3. And Many times those types of graduate programs are going to be asking students to be able to Get letters of recommendation from specific people. So it might be a professor and or a, a professional reference.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:50]: So look at those requirements as well. Statement of purpose is many times very common. A statement of purpose is going to be unique to each program. A lot of times they do want to know why do you wanna do this? Why is this important to you, and why is it something that you are passionate about? So those are things that you need to be thinking about for yourself. And especially if your program has an interview process, It's because many times that type of question is going to come up in that as well. Beyond that, understanding the actual application and Being able to submit your application, many times applications go straight through a university website, But sometimes there are unique application systems that you have to go through. So at our institution, at the University of Michigan Flint, we have some Programs that, reuse what are called centralized application systems or CAS applications. At our university, our Physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public health programs all use different CAS application systems.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:03]: What that means is that you're going to use an external application system where you'll submit all your documents there. Once that Once you have all your documents in, they get verified by that external agency and then get sent back to the institution. Law school uses this. Med school uses this, pharmacy school, vet school, all of a number of different types of of professional based programs are utilizing these centralized application services. So understanding the admission requirements, Very important, understanding the unique requirements for each program that you're looking at is important because it's not a one size fits all that you're going to have to follow when you're looking at different colleges and different programs. Most of our programs here at the University of Michigan Flint are going to be requiring about 2 letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose. That's pretty common. Sometimes there's some short answer questions that they may ask you in the application process or in an interview, but but, typically, application, Letters of recommendation, transcripts, and your statement of purpose are pretty common here at the University of Michigan Flint.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:20]: Application timeline, one of the things that you do need to be thinking about when you're applying is the true timeline for that program. There are many programs out there that are that have that admit on a rolling admission basis. If you see that, that means that The application is gonna open at a certain point. Let's say it's September 1st, and they open that that application for the next fall on September first. So anytime between that September 1st deadline and when they say that they're closing, let's say it's August 1st, August 1st, you can apply to be considered for that program. However, there are other programs that have specific application deadlines. So our physical therapy program, that program opens their application cycle at about June 1st. They closed their application cycle on about October 15th.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:12:19]: So you have to really be conscious And look closely at the deadlines and know what you need to be working on to prepare yourself To be able to get the things in that you are that you are needing to submit because your application is not going to be complete until everything has been collected and has been received by the institution. And if your application is not complete, that means that the academic unit that you are applying to is not going to see your application until your application is complete. Now talking about application itself, filling the application out is typically not a hard process. There are pretty similar questions across institutions. However, You will find that there are some institutions where they have unique questions that are tailored toward the institution, tailored toward the program itself. So you do have to watch that and know that, that each program is the same and that if you're applying to multiple schools, You want to make sure that you are being conscious of the unique questions and be able to have the time and spend the time To fully fill out the application. As you are looking to fill the application out, you wanna make sure that you You do answer all the questions unless the questions say they're not required or that they are optional questions. You want to Fully answer the questions on the application because by missing something, failing to fill something out that can at times hold your application up while the office that is receiving your application is verifying information.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:14:14]: So the goal here is to expedite the process and expedite the experience for yourself So that the process does not drag on for a long time. Now going back to the application timeline, one of the things to think about too and to know is that At the point in which you send in your application, what you're gonna find is that Each program has a different timeline to when they decide on their applications. Some academic programs will wait until the end of their application cycle to review all applicants. Some programs will review applicants on a rolling basis, Meaning that once an application comes in, they're gonna consider that applicant. And then there's other programs that may have different points in the year. So they might have an early deadline. And if you apply right at the early deadline, you're you will find out early Whether or not you've been admitted or not. And you could get put onto a wait list.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:15:18]: That's a possibility. And then they wait to look at you again Until later in the application cycle. So each program is a little bit unique. Go back to that spreadsheet that we were talking about To add that information into the spreadsheet so that you then can keep everything organized for yourself And so that you can know what the differences are per program because because the programs are different and it's not the same across institution, across, programs, you want to make sure that you understand what those differences are. As you're filling out the application, the final piece Typically, here is your application fee. Many institutions will waive the application fee if you attend something like this Or if the you go to an event, you know, there's lots of opportunities that that they may do that at at Institutions that are highly selective, they may not, and it may be something that they will require you to submit before You can even be considered. So you have to look at, okay, what is the price, what is the cost, and prepare yourself to be able to afford and pay that and to be able to pay that across numerous institutions if that is something that you're planning to do. At our institution, the typical application fee is $55.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:16:41]: That's pretty typical, but there are institutions that have no Application fee. There are some institutions that have higher application fees or lower application fees. Again, as you're looking at it, as you're researching, And you're selecting graduate programs that are going to be a good fit for you, you wanna make sure that you are looking at those and setting those side by side. Okay. So when we're looking at requirements, I'm just gonna kinda click through these and add them all up because I've I've talked about some of these already. But first and foremost, what what are institutions looking for? They're looking for a bachelor's degree. Now we know that Some of you may be still working on your bachelor's degree and that you are planning to be done before you start. That's great.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:17:26]: You wanna make sure that if that is the case, that when you are applying, the institution is going to be requiring that your final transcripts are also sent So you could get conditionally admit based off of your transcripts, but to get fully admitted, And that means for domestic students that you'd be eligible for for financial aid or other scholarships, and the same for other students, for international students as well. For you to be able to register for classes in your 2nd term, typically, you're going to have to have those final transcripts in. GPA is definitely a requirement and things that All programs are going to be looking at, the typical average of graduate programs are going to be that they're going to be looking for a 3 point o. Three point o is typically the baseline average. There are some programs that may consider students a little below that. You might get admitted on probation And and given a chance to be able to prove yourself, but you do have to make sure that you are, that that if you do have that lower GPA, that you're working really hard in that 1st term to be able to show them that the chance that they've given you is worth it and that you are, able to handle the quality and the, the quality as well as the rigor of the academics that you're going through in that graduate program. Now there are other programs that are more highly selective or they get many applicants for certain numbers of seats that may have Higher GPAs. Most programs are going to be very transparent.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:19:00]: If they require a higher GPA, they're gonna tell you that. If there is a typical average GPA of their accepted class, many times they will show you that on the trans or on the website of the program itself. So you wanna look at that as well. So I can use the example of our physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies programs here at the University of Michigan Flint. Those are very competitive programs and have limited seats in those programs. Those programs typically, though the baseline bar is a 3 point o, we typically see that the average GPA of an entering student is somewhere between the 3 4 and a 36. So that's something that I can tell you. Now the GPAs in those programs and the average GPA in those programs is gonna be different Then if I said what the average GPA was for our MBA or for our masters in public administration.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:19:52]: So each program is just a little bit different A little bit unique in that way. Test scores, different programs may require a test score, depends on the academic area, depends on, the program and the institution. All of our programs here at the University of Michigan Flint have now, gone away from requiring any test scores, but you will find programs that will require The GRE, which is a graduate records exam, the GMAT, which is typically used for the for business schools, the LSAT for law school admission, the MCAT for medical school admission, you know, all of these different types of tests are out there, and they are tests that Help a program to better understand whether or not you may be able to be successful in graduate school. We have gotten rid of them because we feel that there are other ways to determine that. And we feel that the the tests don't always indicate In the end, if you are, if you are going to be successful so we have chosen that at our institution, but at other institutions, They may still require that. You do need to watch that, and you need to watch when those tests are being offered. Because if you haven't taken them and you're planning to, let's say, Apply for, let's say, fall 24. There are going to be specific dates that tests are typically being offered, And you need to make sure that you have enough time to take the test and potentially retake the test if you need to to be able to get a higher score, and you need to give yourself that time.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:21:27]: Letters of recommendation. As I said, here at our institution, The typical average is about 2 letters of recommendation. Some programs could have 3 or maybe 1. Every institution collects those in different ways. Some will have you Send in hard copies of letters or email in a copy of a letter from someone or they may have an electronic process. We have an electronic process. So when you are applying, If your program requires you to have a specific number of letters of recommendation, You are going to enter in the information for the people that you want to send those letters of recommendation to, and then automatically Our electronic system, our application system will send that to those individuals. We will then keep you keep you up to date because there is a checklist in your application where you can go back in and see where you at When it comes to the checklist items, the things that you're required to submit to us, and sometimes you do have to follow-up with those people that you've asked To give you a letter of recommendation because just because you send it doesn't always mean that they're going to that they're going to, send it back right away.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:22:38]: The other thing that you always should do when you're going to be adding someone and asking someone for a letter of recommendation is make sure that you Talk to those people ahead of time, make sure that you are letting them know that you are or asking them first if they're willing to be a a recommender. And if so, then when you apply, make sure they know you're going to be getting an email Or you're going to be needing to submit this. So if you're applying here, they're going to get an email, so letting them know ahead of time. You're gonna get an email from The office of graduate programs at the University of Michigan Flint so that they don't just ignore that because sometimes that can be a problem if They do that and then, they say, oh, I never got it, and it could have gone to their spam as well. Personal statement or essay, we talked about that already. And this is a, an electronic process, something that you submit typically electronically to the University that you want to go to, the office, that where that is collecting your application, and they will attach that to your application itself. Sometimes programs will also ask you for a resume or a CV or curriculum vitae. Typically, if you don't know what CV is a CV is a much more, intensive resume that takes a look at a lot of PhD programs will ask for a CV Because individuals at that point may be already doing some research or may be doing some publications or have published in some different ways, So they're going to want something a little bit more in-depth, than a typical resume that you would use for a job.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:24:18]: And then Finally is interviews, and interviews can look and feel different ways. Some interviews can be in person. Many these days are going to be via Zoom like this, especially after the pandemic and Seeing that individuals now are much more adept to using this technology, programs are as well. So a lot of times there are there are, those type of opportunities. And I'll have a link at the end. I'll have a QR code that you can link to. This is just this I pulled this from a article that we wrote on our graduate programs blog, which has many, many different resources on it that will help you to be able to prepare yourself well for graduate school. So as you and we talked a little bit about choosing the right program.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:25:10]: And, I'm gonna try to go through and share a number of different things that you can think about, that you can utilize to be able to consider Graduate school in different ways. 1st and foremost, you want to think about your career goals and interest. You know, why are you looking at graduate school? Why you know, what is most important to you when you're looking at your graduate education? What are you trying to get out of that graduate education? By considering your career goals and your interest, you're able to then look to and understand what are you looking for in a program. So then you're able to find that program that truly aligns with the goals that you're setting for yourself and that you're preparing for yourself in that way. You want to definitely research different programs. We talked about that a little bit already. There's lots of different factors to consider, some of which are are things like cost, location, requirements of the program, You know, how long the program is, what the and, you know, all of those things are going to be factors. You wanna look at, Are there opportunities for you to be able to get experience through internships or clinical experiences? You want to look at all those different factors Because all of those things are going to be things that are, that are going to be important for you to be able to to prepare yourself For the career that you want in the future, there is nothing that says that you cannot reach out to faculty or to alumni of the program or the school that you wish to go to, and reaching out can give you a lot of different insights.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:26:45]: Many times, the websites of the academic programs We'll provide you with a list of faculty or we'll introduce you to different faculty members. Faculty love to talk to students. So Reaching out to them, especially if you find individuals that have similar research interests or inter interests in areas where you have an interest as well. You can talk to them and get a better feel for them, but also a better feel for the program. The same is the case with alumni of programs. You can find alumni of programs through through LinkedIn or through other means. I mean, I know on our websites, we have some of our alums that are spotlighted, and you can get some of their stories and, right on the website and hear some of their stories in that way. Accreditation, You may or may not have heard that word before, but accreditation is important.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:27:35]: You want to make sure that the program that you're applying to is fully accredited Accredited and that it is accredited by the accrediting body for that professional area. Most academic programs do have Professional accrediting bodies, not just institutional accreditation, but programmatic accreditation. And why is that important? Well, It's important because it ensures you to you that a program is meeting the standards of the profession And that they are doing what they need to do to be able to prepare you well for the not only the education that you want, but also Preparing you well with the skills that you need to be be ready and, able to go into the workforce. There are open houses, information sessions. We have lots of different opportunities here at the University of Michigan Flint, webinars all the time, in person open houses as well, and we know that they are that there are people from all over the place that are considering graduate school. And so we try to at our institution, we try to make sure that information sessions are being held at different times of the day, But every institution is a little bit different. You need to look at their events. And typically on their website, you're gonna see the different events that are coming up.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:29:00]: And I encourage you to take advantage of those and learn more, you know, whether it's a programmatic a specific programmatic institutional session that talks about the the the college itself or about the program itself or if it's about something like this, where we're talking specifically about graduate school and what you need to do to be able to be successful in graduate school. These are all great opportunities for you to be able to get a better feel for the culture, the community, the program themselves, and then allowing for you to better feel whether the program is a good fit for for you too. So multiple programs, we know that many people are going to be considering multiple programs, And you're looking at your options. You're trying to find that best fit. That's a good thing. We wanna make sure that you're not limiting yourself to 1 graduate program unless you know And you say, this is the program for me. I have done my research. I've looked at all the factors, and I know that this is a good fit.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:30:02]: That's great. But We also know that there's many programs that offer different varieties, different variations of the programs that are out there, And you want to do your due diligence to make sure that it's the right fit. Couple other things as you're looking, we already talked about researching programs. You want to prepare your application materials. You wanna make sure that as you're looking at these, that you you're starting to collect And prepare to collect those transcripts. They need to be official transcripts eventually because you do need to make sure that that those official transcripts get in. You wanna start to talk to the individuals, and if you haven't started your application yet to the programs that you're looking at, Start talking to people that you think you may want to have recommend you and talk to them and find out if they're willing to do that, Especially as you start to whittle down and know how many people you need, what types of people you need so that you can go back to those individuals. Good people are busy, And you wanna give them enough time to be able to send those things in in a timely fashion.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:31:04]: The personal statement and statement of purpose can take some time. Make sure to take the time. Take the time to do those well. Don't just rush through and and kind of just Put a half effort into putting the personal statement together, really think about it, delve deeply, even outline what you wanna say and then systematically send that in because you want to put your best foot forward When you're putting that statement in so people better understand who you are and why you want to do this. Again, the test scores, we talked about those in the application fee. Couple of things here. As you get down here to number 6 and you're submitting that your application, you're going to start getting app you're going to start getting emails from the institution. The emails from the institution are going to be sent to the email that you have placed specifically on your application.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:32:02]: So make sure that when you are applying, that you're using the email address that you check most often and actually go and check your email. Because too often people apply and then they they're only checking their email every so often and important emails are getting sent And they're missing them. So make sure you're using an email address that you constantly are looking at. When emails do come in, please read them. And if you need if there is a call to action, reply, reach out, And get your questions answered or answer the questions that are being asked of you so that you can move things forward in a timely fashion. Then once you've submitted, that's when you have to wait for your decision. Waiting can be it can last a few weeks. It could be a few months.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:32:52]: It really just depends on the program themselves. So each program is a little bit different when it comes to that. So it is important for you to be able to really look through the website and know what the what the program is specifically saying as it comes down to that. K. Next, we're go let me just quickly talk a little bit about, test scores again. I talked about them a bit. Lots of different tests that are out there. Stand these are standardized tests that look at different factors of an individual, depends on the this test themselves.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:33:25]: So I'd encourage you that if a If a program that you are planning to apply to is ex is requiring test scores that you are doing your research into the test so you better understand, take some sample practice test to be to better understand what the test looks like, what it feels like, What you're going to need to be successful. There are many books out there for all of these different tests that will give you tips and tricks and things that you can do, But that's important because you want to make sure that if if a if a program is requiring test scores, Then they may have minimum scores that you need. And if that's the case, you wanna make sure you hit that minimum worry that you're hitting above that minimum when you're being considered. So as we're looking at this, The transcripts, I talked about the fact that transcripts are going to be required. Some institutions are going to require you to send in all transcripts from any institution that you've ever attended. So that means everything back to the 1 class you took at the community college by your house To any 4 year institution transcripts, master's degrees, other degrees, whatever it may be, Some institutions are going to require that you send in all. And then there's others that will say, you only need to send us The transcripts from those institutions where you received an actual degree or transcripts where you took classes toward prerequisites for a specific program. So, again, each program, little bit different.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:35:03]: You need to look and you need to say, Okay. What is required at that institution? At our institution, we are requiring transcripts. Those are gonna be required from us. At other institutions, oh, little bit different. So you wanna make sure that that you are planning on that. And if you wanna be safe, Just plan to send all your transcripts in, and and you can definitely do that, and that's not gonna be a problem. As institutions are looking at transcripts. They're typically going to look at your undergraduate GPA.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:35:35]: If your transcript has to be evaluated by the institution And you're an international student, sometimes they will look at your full undergraduate transcript or any graduate graduate courses that you've taken, Or they may look at the last 2 years. Every school is just gonna be a little bit different. So you have to, again, look at that. What GPA are they looking at to be able to consider you as well. Okay. The cost of graduate education. Now graduate education, graduate school can be expensive. It really comes down to the program and how long the program is.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:36:12]: Some programs may be certificates, graduate certificates that you're using to gain Some specific skills in specific areas. You get a certificate at the end that prepares you to be able to work in a specific area or to take those skills and And put them right into action. There are master's degrees that are out there, lots of different types of master's degrees That you can again, you're you're delving deep into a specific area to gain skills in that area. And then there is also going to be, there's doctorate degrees. Now there's clinical doctorate degrees. There's also PhDs. So, every one is a little bit longer than another. You might be able to get done with a graduate certificate in 1 year, a master's 3 and potentially 2 years, but then a a clinical doctor could be 3 years, a PhD could be 5 years.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:37:04]: A lot of it just depends On the program themselves and how long it takes for you to be able to get research done if you're in a research based program. The cost of graduate education should be very transparent on the websites that you're reviewing, the institutions that you're looking at. And as you're looking at that, you're going to need to factor in a lot of different factors. But, the cost of graduated education is not just the sticker price. It's not just the tuition itself. You need to look at what are the fees that you are that the institution may charge you as well, Because, sometimes those can be a little hidden and you want to prepare yourself for that. Especially as a domestic student, and it should be very transparent in that regard. International students, there is typically going to be an institutional overall price That the that the international office at that institution will tell you that you have to show that you have in a bank account to be able to attend that institution.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:38:07]: So let's say it's $30,000. If it's $30,000 for the year, you have to be able to show that you have that in a bank account, prepared for paying for that 1st year of your graduate education. And that every year, they will have you recertify that you have the funds to be able to finish that program. Domestic students are are not required to show the same, but that is a requirement for international students across the board at every institution that I've ever seen. Now there are scholarships and financial aid, things that are available For domestic students as well as for international students, they are different, so you do have to keep that in mind. For domestic students, we do have the the FAFSA, The free application for federal student aid, you may have done that in your undergraduate degree. If you did that in your undergraduate degree, you know what that is is about. The application is open now for individuals that are looking to attend graduate school in 2024, 2025.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:39:06]: The system is still having a little bit of hiccups because they they they launched a new system. But what from what we have been told, it is Fully working and everybody can submit those. I encourage all graduate student, all domestic graduate students to submit the FAFSA. Even if you think you're not going to get anything, It at least gives you an opportunity to be able to be considered for scholarships or other financial aid that the institution may have That are that do require the FAFSA to be be to be submitted. So take the time, submit the FAFSA, no matter what school you're going to to be able to at least get a better picture, whether that's for loans, scholarships, etcetera. When you're looking at scholarships, every institution is a little bit different. There are different scholarships that are available on our graduate programs website. You're going to see there is a link right there that talks about paying for graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:40:00]: In there, then you'll see some different scholarships that are available. We have scholarships that are available for Domestic students, we have scholarships that are available for international students, and then there are external scholarships that are that at our institution that go through our financial aid office. So you apply separately through a separate scholarship application to be able to be considered for those scholarships. And those scholarships were set up typically with donors that have set up specific scholarships For specific reasons. So they could be a scholarship for a specific program, or you have to have some other factor in mind. Sometimes there are scholarships or, tuition reimbursement that is available through employers. So if you are currently employed and you're looking at going to grad graduate school and you're looking at doing something That would amplify the work that you're doing. Talk to your employer about it and find out whether your employee, Whether you as an employee, you have access to any type of tuition reimbursement because you might be surprised.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:41:09]: Now it may not be A 100%. It could be for 1 class every term, but that's something and it pays for something as well. So I encourage you to look at that as well. So there are lots of other external scholarship engines out there as well that have scholarships. Many of these you may have heard of and you may have thought of when you're when especially if you were an undergraduate student in the United States, Many students take advantage of things like Fastweb or CapEx or Unigo. I mean, there's lots of different scholarship engines that are out there, But there are graduate student scholarships that are out there that students don't always take advantage of. So I always encourage students to take a look at these. You may or you may not find scholarships that meet your needs, But it can't hurt to if you have the time to go in, create the profile for yourself, and do a search And see whether there may be some things in there for yourself as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:42:09]: There's also assistantships at the graduate level. There are assistantships at different schools and they look different in different schools as well. Some are research assistantships, so where you will work with a faculty member and do specific research in that area. A lot of times with those, you're there may be an application process or a a type of a HR process that you go through to be able to be considered For that, so you're applying almost for a job in that sense. There are teaching assistantships. And sometimes, Depending on the program that you're in, you may be required to be a TA. And if you're in a PhD program in a specific academic Yeah. They may use TAs to teach some recitation sessions or working with undergraduate students in some way.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:43:00]: So The nice thing about assistantships is that they are paying you along the way. Some assistantships may pay tuition as well Depending on how many hours a week that you're working. And then there's other academic programs that are built off of assistantships as well, where They may require every student to have an assistantship. And if you don't have an assistantship, you may not be accepted into the program. So All of those things are, again, unique to every program and you need to do your research to delve a little bit deeper. At our institution, our research, our assistantships are research assistantships. So it's a a a job that you apply for, and it's an hourly wage, and you typically are going to be doing research Up to about it's usually about 10 hours a week, and then you get paid for that. And so you'll be getting some money back throughout the year to pay for some of your expenses.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:43:57]: It's not gonna pay off your entire education, but it may pay off Some of your other bills or do help you to be able to offset costs along the way. Couple other things just to think about when you're thinking about graduate education, You wanna make sure that you're managing your finances and budgeting for graduate school. You wanna prepare yourself for what it's going to be like to be a graduate student, especially if you're a full time graduate student because, you are going to be putting your time, your effort into that. And a lot of times, if you're a full time graduate student, There's not time to work outside of of class or very little time to work outside of class. So that being said, you wanna make sure that you're setting a budget for yourself, taking a look at, okay, what are my expenses and how will I be able to take care of those expenses? If you're looking at part time, it may not be a factor because you'll be working and you'll be taking classes at the same time. You also wanna make sure that you're building good credit while you're in school. You wanna make sure you're paying off your credit card balances. Don't hold off.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:45:01]: You wanna Make sure that you are dealing with those issues as you're going through and not holding off because you're also taking loans out or you're also trying to pay off the School, you want to stay stay good in that regard. You can the nice thing is you can check your credit every 12 months through a service called annual credit check check annual credit report .com, and that is something that you can take advantage of. You also if you are a domestic student and you're getting student loans, through one of the loan processors, you do wanna make sure that you're managing that along the way and you understand what you are taking out And what you are if you're paying as you go along, what you're paying down, and all of that's just really important for you to keep in mind. Part time employment, As long as you are not a full time student, most students can handle part time work, while they're going through graduate school. But You have to also look at your program because some programs will say you are not allowed to work while you're in this program. And If that's the case, you have to know that. So just keep that in mind and, again, things to look at. Letters of recommendation.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:46:14]: Let me just kinda put up a couple of things. You wanna make sure that you have strong letters of recommendation. So you don't you wanna have people that really know you. You want to find individuals that can speak positively about you But have known you for a a longer period of time. You wanna make sure that they could speak to your strengths as they relate to the program and why you would be a good fit for the program, and someone that has had enough experiences that they could talk about those experiences and what they've seen about you and what makes you stand out. So make sure that if and when you are going to be thinking about and talking and working with Individuals that are planning to go to graduate or not planning to be a recommender for you for graduate school that you Get their permission before you put their name down, that you inform them when you're putting their name down, and then you stay in touch. And if graduate school may be a few years off and you have some some people that you know are going to be recommenders, Stay in touch with them. Keep them up to date on what's going on with you.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:47:25]: Let them know where you are in the process. Also, as you're asking someone for letters of recommendation, if there are specific things that you want them to touch on, you can ask them to do that. You can say, I wanted to have you be a recommender for me because I know we did that great research project together, and I'd love for you to be able to Talk about that experience and be able to share that with the the program that I'm applying to. You can ask that. Now They're still gonna write it in the way that they wanna write it and you can't influence that, but you can ask them to touch on specific points. If you know that the program is looking for specific things, you can share that with them as well and give them the information that they need to also give get you, give you a good recommendation. A couple other things. These are just so a couple things for you to think about as you're providing, what you should provide your recommenders.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:48:22]: So couple things that you wanna think about as you're putting together a personal statement. Every personal statement is a little bit unique. So what I am sharing with you is in general, some things that you need to be thinking about. But again, you need to be thinking about The things that are going to set you apart, the things that are going to allow the program to get a better feel for you, but And also know that many of these personal statements are going to be either word bound, meaning that you have a certain number of words that you are able to, used to be able to prepare. So they might say, in 500 words, answer this question. Or You have up to 750 words or a 1000 words, whatever it may be. So these are all different things to think about as you're thinking about that And things that you should be considering as you are preparing for applying for grad school. Couple other things, just some tips For writing statements, don't try to throw everything in the kitchen sink into your personal statement, especially if they are asking for, your resume.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:49:29]: You don't have to rewrite your resume in your personal statement. So find a few points to emphasize about yourself And talk about your strengths and be precise, be specific, but be brief as well because a lot of times you will have only a certain number of words. You definitely wanna do your research about the program, know the program forwards and backwards, understand the what the program is offering you, but what they want students to do in the program, what the outcomes of the program are, and what the program wants students To be able to achieve once they leave the program as well, because it is going to be important for you to be able to, to touch on that. And you don't want to go in and write something that makes you seem like you haven't done your research in that sense. If you feel that you have any type of gaps or discrepancies, anything that people you think are going to question, You want to make sure that you that you touch on those and that you are answering those and being upfront and honest about that. Striking the right tone and having a strong entry finish to your personal statement is important. And probably most important, I can leave you with anything, is to proofread once, proofread twice, proofread a 3rd time. Make sure that you read it Read it out loud.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:50:55]: Read it to someone else just to make sure that what you're going to be submitting makes sense. Because too often, if you are making mistakes or if you're not proofreading, there will be errors and and that reflects on you as well. Interviews, Lots of times interviews can show up in different ways. They can be single person interviews where you're showing up and they bring you into a room and you're talking to another person, And that can be virtual or in person. It could also be a group interview where 3 people, 4 people all come together and there's a panel of people in front of you. They're asking a similar question to every student, and then you have to be able to answer those 2, and you're being evaluated With other individuals that are being evaluated at the same time. The questions that you're typically going to get are a mix of kind of specialized question about The subject area that you're interested in, but also are going to look at things about you and allowing the program to get to know you as an individual. Because it's an the interview typically is going to be an opportunity for the program to get a, to get to know you better, But also allow for you to get to know the program better as well.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:52:07]: So couple different outcomes when it comes to admission. You can get accepted. You can get denied, but you can also get wait listed. Wait listed typically means that you're going to, If you, don't get accepted right away, they will consider you down the road or you might get wait listed because they've Provided out a certain number of of seats or they've they've offered all the seats out and they're seeing if people accept them. And if they don't, they may go to the wait list. So every program is a little bit different. Couple things that you wanna always make sure you do when you get that acceptance letter is If they're asking for a response, you reply to that either to the email or if it's in an online system Where they ask you to say, yes, I'm accepting. No.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:52:54]: I'm not accepting. Let the program know. Don't just disappear because the program is going to follow-up with you. So if you've been accepted to a program and the program's emailing you and saying, What's your plan? Just reply. If you've decided not to go there, that's fine. Let them know so that they then can plan for the future because many times they've offered you a seat and they may have not offered a seat to someone else because they've offered you a seat. So if you plan to if your plans have changed, if you're planning to go somewhere else, reach back out to the office of Admissions or the like, in our in our case here at the University of Michigan Flint, the office of graduate programs, and say, you know what? My plans have changed. I'm planning to go to this institution.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:53:42]: You know, this is why I chose to leave, and, you know, thanks for the opportunity. And just be pleasant, be open, And then the office will cancel your application, withdraw your application, and let the program know so that they can move on to the next person. Okay. Some programs will have deposits. Make sure that if there is a deposit that you pay that. And a lot of times, there is a deadline to pay that deposit, So you want to watch that as well. We want you to be successful, and we want you to find success in the graduate school journey no matter where you're going. So encourage you to reach out and to and I appreciate you being here today.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:54:21]: The University of Michigan Flint has a full We have masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflint doteduforward/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as You prepare to be a victor in grad school. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at [email protected].

Dr. Christopher Lewis, the host of Victors in Grad School, engaged in an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Keahl, a franchise owner and area developer for StretchLab. Through their discussion, Keahl generously shared her journey, from pursuing a graduate degree to leveraging her education in her professional ventures. The insights provided in their conversation shed light on the crucial aspects of navigating graduate school and the implications of an advanced degree in real-world scenarios.

The Motivation Behind Pursuing Graduate Studies

Keahl's decision to embark on her graduate education emerged from her innate desire for continuous learning. Her passion for education and enthusiasm for taking on additional responsibilities in her professional role became the catalyst for pursuing a graduate certificate in hazardous waste management and subsequently an MBA from the University of Michigan Flint. The opportunity provided by her employer to cover tuition expenses acted as a further incentive. Keahl's experience reflects the varied motivations that drive individuals towards graduate studies, be it the pursuit of knowledge, career advancement, or the chance to tap into new opportunities within their current roles.

Choosing the Right Path: Selecting the Right Program and Institution

Keahl's choice of the University of Michigan Flint for her MBA highlighted the importance of a well-rounded decision-making process. Apart from the convenience of being a local option, she emphasized the structured program and the networking opportunities it provided. These factors played a significant role in her decision-making, illustrating the value of a program that aligns with one's professional obligations and personal commitments. Keahl's deliberate and thoughtful approach to choosing the right program reflects the critical nature of considering various elements such as program structure, networking prospects, and geographic convenience when selecting the right graduate institution.

Transition and Success in Graduate School

As Keahl noted, the transition to graduate school requires discipline, prioritization, and a proactive approach to time management. Her ability to intertwine her coursework with her professional responsibilities speaks to the practical applicability of skills acquired in a graduate program. Her experience underscores the vital role of transferable knowledge in facilitating a seamless transition and sustained success throughout the academic journey. Also, her emphasis on the value of not hesitating to seek help complements the importance of building a support network to navigate the challenges of graduate school.

The MBA and Real-World Application

The discussion delved into Keahl's current role as a franchise owner and her reflections on the connections between her MBA education and her present endeavors. Her experience illustrated the tangible benefits of the MBA program, particularly the insights gained from classes focusing on organizational leadership. Keahl emphasized the significance of softer skills alongside technical knowledge, demonstrating how the MBA experience equips individuals with a holistic skill set essential for real-world applications. This insight provides a powerful testament to the comprehensive value of graduate education in preparing individuals to thrive in their professional pursuits.

Advice for Prospective Graduate Students

Keahl's journey culminated in an encouraging message urging aspiring graduate students to embrace the opportunity without waiting for the perfect moment. Her recommendation to discover and apply one's passion aligns with the overarching theme reflected in her own path. Her story serves as an inspiration for prospective graduate students, emphasizing the transformative potential of pursuing advanced education and channeling that knowledge into diverse professional arenas.

Conclusion

Jennifer Keahl's narrative embodies the profound impact of graduate education, underscoring its role in fostering continuous personal and professional growth. The conversation with Dr. Christopher Lewis provides invaluable insights into the multifaceted journey of graduate studies and the enduring impact it can have on one's life and career. TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]:Welcome to the Victor's in Grad School, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]:Welcome back to Victor's in Grad School. I'm your host doctor Christopher Lewis, Director of graduate programs for the University of Michigan Flint. Really excited to have you back again this week. As always, every week I love being able Sit down with you, to talk to you, to help you along this journey that you are on. I know you might be at the very beginning just Thinking about and saying, do I really wanna do this graduate school thing? Or you could be in graduate school and trying to figure out this transition from work To graduate school, undergrad to graduate school, whatever it may be in that regard, or you might be toward the end of your graduate degree and you're looking at that light at the end of the tunnel. But no matter where you are in this whole process, this podcast is all about helping you to find success in that journey. And I say journey Very intentionally because it is a journey. Going through your bachelor's degree is one part of the journey, but then as you go to graduate school, it's very different.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:08]:And if you've listened to any of our past episodes, you'll hear that to be the case. I also love every week being able to bring you Someone that has gone before you, someone that also has gone to graduate school and has been successful and has found success and is Sharing that success with you so that you can learn and grow from what they had to go through And then make some decisions based on that that might help you along the way as well. Today, we've got another great guest with us. Jennifer Kiel is with us today, and Jennifer Kiel is a franchise owner and area developer for StretchLab, which we're gonna learn a little bit more about today as well, But I'm really excited to learn from her experiences and have her here today. Jennifer, thanks so much for being here today.

Jennifer Keahl [00:01:56]:Thank you for having me. I'm excited.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:58]:Well, I am excited to have you here today too, and I know that you did your undergraduate work at Michigan State University, and then you went on from there, and you got a graduate certificate in hazardous waste management, and then Went on from there again and got a master's of business administration at the University of Michigan Flint. And what I love to do And starting these conversations is really turn the clock back in time because what I'd love to do is is really pick your brain a little bit about this journey that you went on. Because at some point in this experience, from going from undergrad into your graduate school. In putting in those professional jobs in the mix, you made a decision to go to graduate school. What were the reasons that were going through your head that made you say, I wanna take this step and go and get these graduate degrees.

Jennifer Keahl [00:02:49]:Well, I'm a lifelong learner. So I love school. I love learning, and I knew I always wanted to go back to school. And in 2011, the company that I worked for was undergoing quite a bit of change, and it gave me the The opportunity to take on a lot of additional responsibility and be part of some of the growth in that company. And they offered the opportunity to cover graduate school, my tuition expenses. And I went from Getting a new employee handbook and then taking the tests required and applying in about 3 week time period. So we got the handbook in June, and I enrolled and began my program that fall. So I was really excited.

Jennifer Keahl [00:03:33]:I chose U of M U of M Flint because of the very structured program and the networking and the hybrid opportunity. So that's where I came from.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:03:43]:Now you just answered a little bit of my next question, which was you chose to go to the University of Michigan Flynn for the master Through business administration, your undergrad was in a very different area, and you could have chosen to go and get an MBA at many different places. Talk to me about what was the reasoning behind wanting to do the MBA, but then also why you chose the University of Michigan Flint as the place That you ended up versus other places.

Jennifer Keahl [00:04:08]:I chose the MBA because I was transitioning into an operations leadership role, And the foundation really helped me, to learn the really what I needed to know in from a business side. So my very first class was doctor Chen's accounting class, and it was phenomenal for her to help me learn the some business basics In accounting, I thought that it could be immediately applicable to the new roles and the new responsibilities that I was taking on. I chose U of M Flint. I'm local. I live in Grand Blanc, so it was nice and close, but more so because you know, I had looked at other universities, but more so because of the structure of the program. It was Very cut and paste for me, so to speak. So I'm I was very busy at the time. I was still working, you know, had a family, and it was Very structured.

Jennifer Keahl [00:05:01]:I also loved that there was a networking opportunity. So the MBA program was a hybrid program where we did the residency on campus, and we had the opportunity to network with other MBA students, and I love that opportunity. And it also gave me the flexibility to do my studies at home at during the times when I needed to do work at late hours the night or early hours of the morning.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:05:25]:Now every student that goes into a graduate degree ends up having to definitely transition. And There's a definite way in which you are educated as an undergraduate student, and that is not always the same as when you are a graduate student. The expectations are different. The type of coursework is different. The rigor of the coursework is different. And there is a transition that you have to go through To find that groove, find that ability for yourself to find success. Talk to me about that transition for you and how it went, And what did you have to do to be able to find that success for yourself at the beginning, but then what did you have to do to also Maintain that success throughout your entire time through the MBA.

Jennifer Keahl [00:06:12]:It takes a lot of discipline. So you have to prioritize, And you have to make it a priority. And if that meant that I was, doing homework in the morning, you know, before work, Then I was doing that. And, again, I was very fortunate in that it was immediately applicable. So a lot of the the, case studies or Projects, I was able to use directly from my experiences at my current and future positions. So, yeah, like I said, it just takes a lot of discipline, a lot of prioritization, and not being afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:06:47]:Now I know that You are a franchise owner of StretchLab in Clarkston, Michigan. For those that don't know what StretchLab is, why don't you tell me more about that? And then The other piece that I really have an interest in is really reflecting on thinking back to this education that you went through through the MBA. How do you find that the that the work that you're doing with StretchLab connects to the learning that you did through the MBA?

Jennifer Keahl [00:07:16]:Oh, that's a great question. So I'll start with your first question. StretchLab is a boutique fitness brand owned by the parent company, Exponential Fitness. So StretchLab is 1 on 1 assisted stretching. You might compare it to something similar as, like, physical therapy or massage, But it's not. It is just simply 1 on 1 assisted stretching. It was invented in California by a personal trainer whose clients kept requesting longer assisted Stretching at the end of their training workouts, and it got to the point where the clients just wanted to be stretched the entire time. And that's how StretchLab was born.

Jennifer Keahl [00:07:51]:Exponential Fitness bought the StretchLab Studio in 2017 and then began franchising. And now there are over 400 Locations open worldwide. My studio was the 5th to open in Michigan. So opening a franchise and opening any business, The skills and the knowledge and and what I learned from my MBA program was absolutely invaluable. There were so many classes that were beneficial, and some of my favorites were the organizational leadership classes. Doctor Bloom's classes were some of my favorite, And it's because it takes some of those softer skills. So the accounting and the financial and maybe some of the other, you know, harder skills, You may not be doing that hands on. But as a leader in the organization, you need to be able to communicate.

Jennifer Keahl [00:08:41]:You need to be able to Show some of these softer skills in all facets of the business from your employees to your members and even when you're networking In in the community.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:08:51]:I really appreciate you sharing that because I think that, you know, understanding that there will be both hard skills and soft Skills that you're going to be learning in your program is important, and you might not always realize what you're learning until after the fact and you reflect Back on that because, you know, the programs are going to, a lot of times, focus on those hard skills, but along the way, they're spattering in the soft skills And things that you're going to need to know about working with people and being able to lead people and those interpersonal, Intercultural dynamics that happen within any type of situation. As you think back to your experience, Were there specific situations in your MBA that you've that you can point back to right now that really prepared you for those soft skills for working with people in that way?

Jennifer Keahl [00:09:41]:There were several. There were some of the values assessments and personality assessments that we took that really helped me become more self aware, and there were also some of the operational exercises. There was a little field exercise that We did. And it really taught you that it's more than just the operations behind the scenes. You really have To appeal and be empathetic and understand your employees and your customers and your community, it's Probably the most difficult part for individuals, and so those exercises I think were invaluable for me.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:10:20]:Well, Jennifer, I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for sharing all of this, For sharing your own journey. As you think about the experiences that you had in graduate school that prepared you well for the that prepared you well for what you're doing right now as you think back to the things that you learned along the way. Is there any advice that you would give to others that are thinking about graduate School that would help them to find success sooner.

Jennifer Keahl [00:10:44]:You know, I loved the graduate school program. I would highly recommend the program. I I think that my advice would be to go for it. I think sometimes people wait for some perfect moment in time, and There's never a perfect moment. You have to find that perfect moment and go for it, and then find your passion and apply it. You can apply this MBA program to any business out there, to anything you want to do. It's beneficial for life in general. So that would be my advice would be to go for it.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:16]:Well, again, thank you, Jennifer, so much for sharing your story today, and I wish you all the best.

Jennifer Keahl [00:11:21]:Thanks, Chris.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:11:22]:The University of Michigan Flint has a full array of masters and doctorate programs if you are interested in continuing your education. Whether you're looking for in person or online learning options, the University of Michigan Flint has programs that will meet your needs. For more information on any of our graduate programs, visit umflint.edu/graduateprograms to find out more. Thanks again for spending time with me as you prepare to be a Victor in Grad School. I look forward to speaking with you again soon as we embark together on your graduate school journey. If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at [email protected].