In article <3p0cop$lfq at server.st.usm.edu> Glen Shearer <gshearer at whale.st.usm.edu> writes:
>* How should a PI 'manage' grad students? Hands off? Constantly
>stare over their shoulders at the bench? Be a buddy? Be distant?
>Be authoritative? Be 'mean' at first then back off a bit? Be nice
>and get 'mean' only when needed?
>* How should a PI motivate a 'lazy' grad student?
>* When is it time (if ever) to 'fire' a grad student?
>* How many students should a new asst. prof. take at once?
>* What are the most important things to stress early to each
> new student?
>* Should there be a written 'contract' concerning the
> expectations (and responsibilities) of the PI:student
> relationship. E.g., you will be in the lab by 8 am, etc.
Having just survived the grad student thing, looking back I would like to
comment on a few points.
My PI tried the "you must...or you will be fired" approach and even drew up a
contract for us (2) grad students to sign giving hours etc. We laughed in his
face and our respect for him went through the floor.
The ONLY way you will consistantly get a grad student to give 'that little bit
extra', ie the midnight timepoint, the saturday night gel, is if he/she WANTS
to do the work. The job of the PI initially then, is to encourage the grad
student in their work and convey their enthusiasm to the student. The stick
works once in a while, but not all the time. Similarly the 'carrot' works
sometimes, but in the end, the drive has to come from the grad student.
My 2c worth
Rog (ex-grad, now Dr. (Boy that feels good))
