Dean's Message
Thinking about the advisor-advisee relationship
May 2023
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As the Dean, I’m responsible for the well-being of our large and dynamic academic community here at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. That community includes graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, faculty and staff.
Today, I'm continuing a set of messages on important topics that need to be discussed.
In the previous messages, I shared resources for graduate students and postdocs and insights on research funding. In this message, I'm sharing thoughts and information about challenges that can arise between advisors and advisees.
First, I’d like to point to a useful article I recently read in the Careers section of Science magazine. The article is entitled: "How to get what you need from your Ph.D. or postdoc supervisor." The entire article is worth a read, and I’d like to introduce it with this quote from the article. It is from someone who went on to a career in industry after completing their PhD.
"It’s important to establish early on that the supervisor and the trainee are on the same team and not competing against each other. Communication and transparency are key. If that isn't enough, seek an objective source of support that can either help resolve the conflict or guide you through finding the next best option.”
As I reflect upon this quote, I feel it’s important for all advisees to remember that: it’s critical that you help your supervisor help you succeed. For example, you must communicate to your advisor how you work best. Aligning on expectations as soon as possible is also crucial. As an advisee, getting the feedback and guidance you need requires you to be both self aware and organized. These are extremely important attributes that deserve your time and attention. I can assure you that efforts here will bring you much benefit, both now and in the future, not only for your well-being, but also for the quality of your work, and for your future career success.
Another important point made in the article is that faculty mentors carry heavy responsibilities. In addition to advising graduate students and guiding research, faculty have significant time commitments in teaching, writing grant proposals, and service work. Given that everyone is busy, a commitment to clear and consistent communication between advisor and advisee is absolutely essential. In no other way can the mutual trust, so necessary for best success, be built.
Graduate students and postdocs come to the Jacobs School to get credentialed, to learn and explore, and to build foundations for satisfying careers. This is a team project, and the advisor-advisee relationship is at the core of the team. I know this first hand. As I've mentioned in previous messages, I advised almost 70 PhD students and more than 75 masters students over 34 years as an active researcher running an engineering lab. Together we co-authored nearly 400 refereed publications and secured 36 patents. Across every year, and with every student, teamwork has always been at the center.
Of course, my lab's research track was not without significant and difficult challenges. But what brought the students and postdocs through their academic training and on to the next stage of their careers was the mutual respect and trust that we had for each other. Because of that, the graduate students and postdocs in my lab were able to achieve their best. Our shared excellence helped me to successfully compete for the funding necessary to support current and future cohorts of graduate students and postdocs.
It's critical that we all see the full extent of the interlocking nature of advisor-advisee relationships in engineering and computer science research. Building and rebuilding these relationships is what it means to be an active member of an academic community.
Below I am sharing related information. I wish each of you the very best as we move into the final phase of the academic year.
Graduate Student Transition Assistance
Learn more about the transition assistance program for PhD students in engineering and computer science who find themselves in an intractable relationship with their advisors.
Professional Communication and Conflict Resolution
Professional Communication and Conflict Resolution is covered for bioengineering PhD students in BENG207 and for MS/MENG students in BENG291.
Associate Dean for Students Office Hours
Two weekly walk-in office hours (virtual or in person) are set aside every week on the calendar of Associate Dean for Students Darren Lipomi. These office hours are an opportunity for all Jacobs School graduate students and postdocs to discuss issues related to academics, professional development, transition assistance, research strategies, and direction to resources on campus for personal and professional well-being. To sign up for office hours, visit this booking page.
Jacobs School Grad Talks
Below are links to talks that touch on aspects of interpersonal skills, mentorship, and conflict resolution from the Jacobs School's Grad Talks archive.
Reflective Mentorship
https://youtu.be/lq0toACOUas
Faculty Failures Panel
https://youtu.be/3EcxqS0Z-Ek
How to Win Friends and Influence People
https://youtu.be/mOEbIytPHvY
Additional video resources are available on the IDEA Engineering Student Center YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IDEAStudentCenter/videos
Sincerely,
-- Al
Albert ("Al") P. Pisano, Dean and
Walter J. Zable Distinguished Professor
Jacobs School of Engineering
University of California San Diego
http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/
deanpisano@ucsd.edu
+1 (858) 534-6237
Member, US National Academy of Engineering
Member, US National Academy of Inventors
Walter J. Zable Endowed Chair of Engineering
Distinguished Professor, MAE and ECE