My PhD Application Process and 1st Year PhD Student Experience Part 1

TL;DR

This video discusses the application process and the first semester of a PhD program in computer science, including research internships, boot camp, and starting a YouTube channel.

Transcript

hello everyone and welcome back to my channel so great to be back i filmed the intro and the outro of this video three times now because i originally thought that i'd be able to fit all of first and second year in one video sat down film it felt like a lot so i then thought i could just put olive first year in one video started editing realized i h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🈸 PhD application process involves recommendations, program recommendations, and interviews with the Center for Research Training.
• 👨‍🔬 The first semester focuses on research internship, boot camp, classes, seminars, and supervisor matchmaking.
• 🥡 Taking holidays and managing time effectively are crucial during the PhD journey.
• 📜 Starting a YouTube channel can help document the progress, share experiences, and improve communication skills.
• 👨‍🔬 Supervisor matchmaking can be challenging, especially in popular research areas.
• 🧑‍🎓 The boot camp levels the playing field for students with diverse backgrounds.
• 🤗 Research internships provide hands-on experience and confidence-building opportunities.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the PhD application process like?

The application process involved obtaining recommendations from professors, contacting the head of the School of Computer Science, and applying to a specific program. The program focused on industry involvement and required interviews with the Center for Research Training.

Q: How did the research internship and boot camp contribute to your PhD experience?

The research internship provided the opportunity to work on projects and gain confidence in coding and research skills. The boot camp helped level the playing field, as students came from diverse backgrounds, and offered classes, industry talks, and workshops on transferable skills.

Q: How did supervisor matchmaking work?

Supervisor matchmaking involved "speed dating" with professors to gauge interest and then more focused one-on-one meetings with preferred supervisors. Due to the diverse interests of students, it was challenging for some to find supervisors in popular research areas.

Q: How did starting a YouTube channel enhance your PhD experience?

Starting a YouTube channel helped track progress throughout the years, share experiences with other PhD students, and improve communication skills. It also provided a platform to discuss productivity during a PhD, a subject that lacked comprehensive content at the time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content is divided into two parts, with Part 1 covering the PhD application process, research internships, and the first semester of the program.

• The PhD application process involves recommendations from professors, specific program recommendations, and interviews with the Center for Research Training.

• The first semester includes a research internship, boot camp, classes, industry talks, seminars, and supervisor matchmaking.

• The content also highlights the importance of taking holidays, managing time, and starting a YouTube channel to document the PhD journey.