Thank you to all who voted!  Below is the new line-up of GSS All-stars!

• President: Marianna Vallejo
• Vice President: Adrian Rodriguez
• Secretary: Nagham Alatrash
• Public Relations Chair: Jarryd Willis
• Dean’s Ambassador: Kate Morgan
• Staff Advisor: Lisa Berry

Be sure to meet and greet em’ at the Spring Social!  Its at a brand new on-campus establishment:

JOIN GSS & Connect!

• Sign-up on our campus profile
• Find us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Check out our boards on Pinterest
• Attend bi-monthly meetings (Check EDGE for dates!)
• Can’t Attend? Watch meetings live on Ustream

After a decent break to adjust to the new organizational flow of the Office of Graduate Studies (yes, we are still here!!) I came across a forum topic that has inspired this first post of our “new age.” UTA worked and worked and has now declared that the organizational flow of the Office of Graduate Studies is sustainable.  This new work flow was officially implemented on tax day (April 15th – so it has been one day).  Is it sustainable?  I don’t know.  This word, “sustainable,” really stuck with me.

When I think of sustainability, I think of the perplexing question, “How long can this be done?”  This is particularly difficult to answer when one doesn’t actually know what one will be doing.

One reader posted to the wall of Versatile Ph.D (a great site, so definitely become a member, its free) a question much like the one posed above.  She asks whether applying for an entry level position or networking would be a better way of getting a foot in the door.  She does, after all, have various degrees and an entry level position is… ENTRY LEVEL!  How long can she take it? How will her peers view her? Will she get stuck in that position?

Not one response was “No, don’t apply.”  I agree – always apply.

Another response focused on honesty and making an agenda known from the start, which I completely agree with.  Typically, the three-ring-circus that is the professional world consists of networking to get a job, the job then gets you a better job where you already work, then more networking gets you a better job at a better place, and the cycle continues until you are Master of the Universe.  Some people hide this fact – others embrace it.  If you are actively planning on a promotion in order to be happy at the company in which you are applying, you should definitely embrace the cycle and let them know that.  If they understand where you are coming from, then you can both work together to ensure that a symbiotic relationship is created from the start.  If the hiring manager scoffs and you see an eye roll – GOOD.  Then you know that upper management probably doesn’t prioritize upward-bound futures for their employees (i.e. don’t work there).

See your friends and peers present!

Get the schedule online at http://www.uta.edu/aces/.  The event goes on ALL DAY in the University Center.

The Doctoral Visit Day Mixer is on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 4-6 pm.  It should be a great (and snazzy) event so bring friends, bring a date – come get your mingle on haha.  OGS will provide light refreshments, snacks, and sodas/water.  Cash bar!  The event will take place in the upper deck of “Septembers” at the Hilton Arlington (2401 E. Lamar Blvd).   Let me know if you can attend.  Email ashleyh@uta.edu to RSVP.  Have a great first week and happy Spring 2013.

Welcome back graduate students -Starting Jan. 14th, (the first day of the Spring 2013 semester) railroad crossings in Arlington will be closed – two near campus will be open: West. St. and Fielder Rd.

For more info and a detailed map, visit the City of Arlington’s website.

Academia.edu is a social media site for networking in the academic world (and also in your area of research). You can post your info, research papers, and articles and the site will track activity.  Free, awesome, useful social media analytics people.  Do you really need more reasons to sign up?