Björn Meyer’s Post

This post is highly informative in highlighting the importance of customizing your application to improve your chances of success.

How to Send a Really Good Email Asking a Prof. about Research Position? Sparkle Tips: Personalize it: ·        Tailor the letter to the specific professor and their research area. Show you’ve done your research! ·        Highlight your strengths: Showcase relevant skills and experiences that make you a good fit for their lab. ·        Enthusiasm matters: Convey your genuine passion for research and the professor’s work. ·        Keep it concise: Aim for a one-page letter that gets straight to the point. ·        Proofread meticulously: Ensure your letter is free of errors and typos. Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name], My name is [Your Name] and I am a [Year] [Major] student at [University Name] with a strong interest in [Professor’s Research Area]. I am writing to express my keen interest in potential research opportunities within your lab. I have been following your research on [Specific research topic of the professor] with great enthusiasm.  Your work on [Mention a specific aspect of the professor’s research that excites you] has been particularly inspiring to me. My own academic background in [Mention relevant coursework or projects] has fueled my passion for [Your research interest related to the professor’s area]. In my previous research experience [Briefly mention any research experience you have, highlighting relevant skills], I gained valuable skills in [Mention specific skills relevant to research, e.g., data analysis, laboratory techniques]. I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with a strong work ethic and a genuine eagerness to learn. I understand that you may not have any open positions at the moment. However, I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss your current research projects and explore any potential research opportunities that might align with my skills and interests. I have attached my CV for your review, which further details my academic background and research experience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.   Sincerely,   [You are Name Suleman Khan]

"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 🎓 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 🧪 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?" How do you send a perfect email asking a prof about a Research Position?  Subject: Inquiry about Research Position in [Professor’s Research Area] 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬: 💠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐭: Tailor the letter to the specific professor and their research area. Show you’ve done your research! 💠𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐬: Showcase relevant skills and experiences that make you a good fit for their lab. 💠𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐦 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Convey your genuine passion for research and the professor’s work. 💠𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞: Aim for a one-page letter that gets straight to the point. 💠𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲: Ensure your letter is free of errors and typos. Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name], My name is [Your Name] and I am a [Year] [Major] student at [University Name] with a strong interest in [Professor’s Research Area]. I am writing to express my keen interest in potential research opportunities within your lab. I have been following your research on [Specific research topic of the professor] with great enthusiasm. Your work on [Mention a specific aspect of the professor’s research that excites you] has been particularly inspiring to me. My academic background in [Mention relevant coursework or projects] has fueled my passion for [Your research interest related to the professor’s area]. In my previous research experience [Briefly mention any research experience you have, highlighting relevant skills], I gained valuable skills in [Mention specific skills relevant to research, e.g., data analysis, laboratory techniques]. I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with a strong work ethic and a genuine eagerness to learn. I understand that you may not have any open positions at the moment. However, I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss your current research projects and explore any potential research opportunities that might align with my skills and interests. I have attached my CV for your review, which further details my academic background and research experience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Contact Information (Email & Phone number optional)] #researchpositions #higherstudies #gradschooltips"

How to 20x your chances of winning a fully funded PhD despite the cutthroat competition✈️📈👩💻💯 The answer is COLD-EMAILING 1. Cold-email profs. Unless otherwise specified on the prof's webpage, cold-emailing is a great way to stand out. It lets them read your research ideas way before they are loaded with applications. They may even invite you for an interview. Grab that opportunity! 2. Tailor your CV according to the lab you're writing to. Things that should match the profs/lab's profile. • Research interests • Research experience • Key skills in bullet points • Relevant research experience • Relevant workshops & trainings 3. Contact existing grad school students Their email address is provided on the program website under "Existing/Current students". They can provide you with golden advice on the Dos and Don'ts of applying. Don't shy away from clarifying your doubts with them. 4. Give you 200% to your statement of purpose. You can't change your grades. You can't change your research exp. You CAN change your statement of purpose & recharge your narrative. Here's how: 5. In your SoP • Clearly show the gaps/challenges you wish to address in your field. • How you will use your past experiences and knowledge to the grad program of your interest. • How you can contribute to the lab & the university. It doesn't matter what the competition is. It doesn't matter what your past was. A strong CV+ Cold-email + SoP with a convincing packaging can give you the fully funded PhD you deserve. Cold-email template by Harvard University 🏫 You can adapt it for Master’s & PhD applications:

Abstract writing - dos & don'ts: Do you want to share your newest research findings but need help writing your abstract for this year's EAPS Congress? Check out this helpful guide from our ESPR Early Career Investigators Section and improve your abstract 👉https://lnkd.in/duCWuZYf

Call for Panelists When: Saturday, June 1, 2024 Where: UC Davis What: The upcoming interdisciplinary Post/Modern Subversion and Textual Rebellion conference is looking for panelists for its second day, which will be a graduate professionalization panel. We are primarily looking for panelists who attended graduate school (MA, MFA, or PhD route; JD considered, depending on pitch) and can share their experiences pursuing nontraditional post graduate endeavors. Academics within universities are also welcomed. Ideally, each speaker will talk for 5-15 minutes. This will be a less formal event. A light brunch will be served. All are welcome to attend, but this is primarily geared toward graduate students who are looking at various career opportunities. Possible topics of other professional pursuits can include, but are not limited to: -University administration -Community college professors -Editing and/or publishing -Nonprofits -Government -How to convey graduate school as professional experience on a resume, cover letter, or in a job interview To apply, please submit to [email protected] the following: -a 200 word pitch about the topic of your choosing -a 250 word bio -a short statement (max 200 words) explaining how graduate school contributed to your professional endeavors–or if it didn’t, how you plan on portraying this

🎉 Exciting news! We have just put out the call for reviewers for the 2025 International Conference on Games and Narrative (#ICGAN25)! We are looking for reviewers from all disciplines and industries (humanities, social sciences, STEM, industry, etc.). We’ve had a steady stream of exciting proposals come in the last couple of weeks (with more time left to submit!) and now we’re looking for reviewers. Those interested in participating can complete our form. This form will be asking reviewers for: ✅ General interest ✅ Relevant academic and/or industry background ✅ Research expertise ✅ The types of submissions reviewers are interested in reviewing #ICGAN2025 is open to receiving many different submission types including: paper or video essays, panel submissions, workshop submissions, and demo submissions. Each reviewer can expect to receive between five to en extended abstracts for assessment depending on the volume of submissions we receive If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, please submit your statement of interest for the consideration of the Organizing Committee by November 30, 2024. #uwaterloo #conference #callforreviewers https://lnkd.in/g_RZjEta

🚫 Avoid These 4 Common Mistakes When Applying for Fully Funded PhD Programs 🚫 Applying for a fully funded PhD can be daunting, but steering clear of these common pitfalls can greatly increase your chances of success. Here’s how: 1. Personalize Your Cold Emails ✉️ : Make a strong first impression by tailoring your emails to each professor you're contacting. A well-crafted introduction could lead to interviews, positively influence the admissions committee, and keep you top of mind during the selection process. 2. Enhance Your CV 📝: Your CV should not just list your experiences but highlight them strategically. Use tools like Word, Docs, or LaTeX to format your document neatly, emphasizing key experiences like your degree, research projects, and relevant coursework in bold. Consistency in formatting is key. 3. Strengthen Your Letters of Recommendation 📚: Engage with your recommenders well in advance. Provide them with your CV and a clear explanation of your motivations for pursuing graduate studies and how their mentorship has impacted you. This encourages them to write detailed and supportive letters. 4. Develop a Meaningful Statement of Purpose 🔖: Extend beyond the contents of your CV. Illustrate how your experiences have prepared you for graduate studies and discuss how you intend to contribute to the academic community. Your SoP should articulate your unique perspective and value to the program. Need help? DM me for assistance 🔖🔖🔖

Your Ph.D. discipline or dissertation topic is NOT the only area you can land or build a fulfilling career in. "My degree is in ABC, what careers would you suggest for me?" My answer: don't limit yourself. I once thought no self-respecting scientist could build a career around making videos and writing content for lay audiences. Guess what I've been doing for the last three years? So don't limit yourself. Your specialized skills and knowledge can fit in spaces beyond your specific dissertation topic. Yes, this will involve some rethinking and re-cataloging of your skills. I have never suggested it is easy. But it is possible. If you're struggling with careers you could consider, download a PDF list of 34 non-academic careers here: theboldphd.com/careerslist Happy Friday!