Sessions That Can Upgrade Your Skills to the Next Level - Part 2

By Lalain D. Aquino

Balance is the key to success. Be it in school, work, or both, it is important to find the right balance that fits your style and needs. In the previous post, I highlighted several great and informative sessions from the GRAD Aggies Professional Development Symposium back in March to help graduate students better understand their roles as students, scholars, and colleagues. In this post, we will highlight three sessions that can advance graduate students’ skills and knowledge to the next level.

NOTE: Feel free to read either article in any order. Each session is a stand-alone to fit one’s needs.

“Intercultural Communications in the Academic Setting”

Texas A&M fosters talents from all over the world, creating a diverse and multicultural environment for its students. From the International Student & Scholar Services, they teach students the areas of miscommunication and navigating academia with others, and how to communicate with those from different cultures and backgrounds.

To overcome miscommunication, students need to be aware of and understand how different cultures and places communicate; it can be indirect or direct, expressive or restrained, or a combination of these styles. This way we can determine how we adapt our communication to those around us. For direct communication, we can overcome it by being less blunt or avoiding criticism. We can ask open-ended questions and focus on non-verbal cues to help avoid any misunderstandings. For indirect communication, we need to watch out for any subtle messages and be more direct with our approach. Communication is easier said than done.

The expectations versus the reality may differ from person to person. At work, we are expected to communicate with our colleagues, bosses, and clients: be polite, thank people for their time, or send a follow-up email. At school, students are expected to report their findings to their professors, TAs, or PIs, talk to our advisors about our schedule, or ask questions regarding homework assignments. All this is done through some form of communication, because lack of communication can bring more harm than good.

Students can practice how to communicate in different scenarios with their friends or a trusted colleague. Don’t be shy and be honest with your words. Make sure that if you are sharing important information that it is accurate and can be verified.

“Asking for & Writing Letters of Recommendations”

Need to ask for a letter of recommendation and don't know where to start? Or perhaps someone asked you to write one for them and thought, “How do I write it?” From the University Writing Center, Mary Dunklin has the tips and tricks to help students ask or write a letter of recommendation.

Asking for a letter of recommendation is not as simple as it seems, says Dunklin. Students need to consider these three things when choosing who to ask the letter from:

● Do they know you well? Know your personality and work ethic?
● Is that person's background a good fit for what you are applying for? Credibility?
● Are they a strong writer?

You want someone who can effectively convey your character, skills, and experience in the letter. (Definitely don't ask the person who doesn't like you. That is not a letter you want to submit.) Regarding their background, a letter of recommendation from, for example, your English professor, would be a credible source if you were applying for a university’s English department. This assures the program director of your qualifications, experience, or whether you fit into the program. Finally, the writer’s writing skills can showcase your personality and character positively and professionally.

What if the individual I'm requesting the letter from lacks strong writing skills or is unavailable to write it? Well it falls onto you to provide them with the details of what you want them to write. Another option is to offer to write it for them. Just make sure to have them review for approval before submission. Onto the next step: How do we write a cover letter? Those writing a recommendation letter need to ask the requestee:

● When is the letter due?
● Have you reviewed the necessary skills for composing the letter?
● Do you know the student well, and are they a good fit for the role they are applying for?

Writers need to be aware of who they are writing to and avoid being biased. If you feel like you can not write the letter for them, you can decline and state your reason. You are not obligated to do it. Now for the writing portion, prepare a 1-inch margin document, single or 1.5 spacing.

For the introduction, start by addressing a specific person or group (avoid “To Whom It May Concern”). Then state your purpose, the relationship, and share important skills or knowledge of the individual. In your body paragraph, you can establish your credibility. Make it brief, remember it's not about you, but the person you are writing this letter to. The main focus should be the student's experiences, character, and other relevant information. Make sure not to overpraise or undervalue the individual, as the recipients of the letter might expect too much from them. Lastly, summarize the letter, thank the readers for their time, and offer your contact information for additional questions. You can finally close the letter with “Sincerely”, “Regards,” or other variations. Congratulations! Now you know how to write a recommendation letter!

“Managing Graduate Writing Projects.”

Whether you are writing your research proposals, articles for peer-reviewed journals, thesis or dissertation, book chapters, or other writing assignments, the University Writing Center has the resources for students to effectively manage and write their writing projects in graduate school.

Who is the target audience? What is the goal or the paper's purpose? When is the paper due? Researching the topic and planning a timeline can keep students on track while still getting the information they need. Using library resources, online databases, and citation management speeds up the process of searching for the information and can even help organize it.

Avoid plagiarism. Under no circumstances is that allowed, especially at Texas A&M or anywhere. Students can practice paraphrasing to improve their writing skills and avoid trouble. As a good rule of thumb, revise and edit papers before submission. If you’re not sure how your paper reads, grab a friend who’s good at writing or visit the University Writing Center on campus.

The University Writing Center has many resources and programs to use, such as one-on-one consultations, the DATA (Dissertation, Article, & Thesis Assistance) program, the Writing Cafe, and workshops for all their students and faculty to use. For more information on the workshops they provide, visit their website at https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/grads/graduate-student-workshops.