Apply our problem solving method

• Learn to be proactive in finding the opportunities, resources, and advice that will help you succeed during graduate school.

“I need help with the statistics for my thesis, but no one on my committee seems to have the time. Isn’t that what a committee is for?”

“It seems like the men on my research team get invited to collaborate on projects more than I do.”

“How was I supposed to know that the deadline for declaring my candidacy was last week? Aren’t we supposed to be alerted to these things? Now I am going to be an out-of-state student for another year!”

“I don’t understand how other people in my cohort are getting such great assistantships. I never see anything posted. Where do they find out about these jobs?”

Do you often feel lost in graduate school? Do you think the rules and procedures are not always clear? Do you feel like you do not always get the help and support you need? You are not alone.

You must already know something about resourcefulness to have gotten to where you are now, but it is essential to build upon this skill to become successful in graduate school and in your career. This module will help you to do just that.

As you probably know by now, graduate school is much trickier than simply following a course of study. Expectations can be ambiguous and help can be hard to find. In graduate school, as in life, the more resourceful you are in working toward your goals, the more successful you will be.

Be Proactive

There is a key distinction between proactive behaviors and a proactive personality (conscientiousness; see Your Personality and Preferences for more).  Proactive behaviors refer to self-initiated actions that involve bringing about change, such as information seeking or networking. On the other hand, a proactive personality emphasises one’s unique disposition toward taking personal initiative in creating a positive environment. 

How much do you agree with the quote below?

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.”- George Bernard Shaw

This statement is controversial, but the degree to which you agree with it might reflect your attitude toward the concept of resourcefulness. True, not all people are in the same position to get exactly what they want in life. For example, male-dominated science and engineering fields do in fact present unique challenges to women and minorities. 

You may be able to get by in graduate school by simply doing the research and coursework required. A resourceful student, on the other hand, is one who tries to make the most out of her experience by pulling together the resources, networks, and opportunities available to her in graduate school. 

Still, the more resourceful you are, the more likely you will be successful at achieving your goals (McCormick, Guay, Colbert, & Stewart, 2019; Thiry, Laursen, & Loshbaugh, 2015; Wang, Zhang,Thomas, Yu, & Spitzmueller, 2017):

• Resourceful behaviors such as taking initiative, networking, and self-management have been found to be associated with job success more so than IQ.
• People with proactive personalities tend to have higher salaries, more promotions, and higher career satisfaction.
• People with resourceful, self-regulating qualities such as personal initiative, perseverance, and adaptation have been found to be better job seekers.
• People with proactive personalities tend to take more initiative and engage in more challenging tasks.

Resourcefulness is defined as acting in a proactive manner and taking control of the outcomes you desire. It involves taking initiative, being creative, and remaining flexible and open-minded about working toward your goals. 

Being resourceful means being deliberate and planful in directing your behaviors and arranging your environment to accomplish your goals. Exercising personal agency in this way, without prompting, as opposed to waiting for other people to do things, dramatically increases the possibility of reaching your goals.

Activity:  

Here are some ways you can be resourceful in your graduate program. Doing these as early as possible in your program will benefit you. Indicate which you have implemented and which you can try:     

Reflections: Different Types Of Resources

• There are different types of resources, both internal and external to you. Often people get caught up in focusing on what they don’t have versus what they do have. Once you focus on what you do have, you can build on those resources and find more assistance and support to get your goal accomplished.
• Inner resources cannot be depleted. They are YOURS. The more you use them, the stronger they get. You can use your inner resources to create, attain, or assist with your outer resources.
• Outer resources can be transferred between people, you can earn them, or easily change them. Inner resources are more closely tied to the individual.
• Ultimately, we tend to value the resources that are available to us and strive to increase these resources and guard against losing them. 

Activity: Check off what resources you have and add the ones you don’t see. Get a good list going, as that affirms your ability to tackle your challenges.

Inner Resources

Creativity __

Confidence__

Intelligence__

Determination__

Knowledge__

Skills__

Passion__

Awareness__

What else?:________________

Outer Resources

Assets__

Friends__

Family__

Technology__

Food__

School__

Job__

Car__

What else?:________________

Common Internal Resources and Behaviors 

This table highlights the importance of understanding your internal motivation and resources. Further, Serrat’s (2017) work on emotional intelligence emphasizes that we all have different personalities and ways of thinking and being, yet we can do certain things to achieve favorable outcomes.

Self-test

Which of the following example(s) is/are not resourceful?

A high level of motivation is both a stimulus for and a consequence of being resourceful.   Taking initiative and exercising agency are behaviors and attitudes you can strengthen. 

Brown, D. J., Cober, R. T., Kane, K., Levy, P. E., & Shalhoop, J. (2006). Proactive personality and the successful job search: A field investigation with college graduates. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91, 717-726. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.3.717

Cooper-Thomas, H., Paterson, N., Stadler, M., & Saks, A. (2014). The relative importance of proactive behaviors and outcomes for predicting newcomer learning, well-being, and work engagement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 84(3), 318–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2014.02.007

McCormick, B.W., Guay, R.P., Colbert, A.E. and Stewart, G.L. (2019), Proactive personality and proactive behaviour: Perspectives on person–situation interactions. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology,  92,  30-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12234

Pifer, M. J., & Baker, V. L. (2016). Stage-based challenges and strategies for support in doctoral education: A practical guide for students, faculty members, and program administrators. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 11, 15-34. Retrieved from http://ijds.org/Volume11/IJDSv11p015-034Pifer2155.pdf 

Saks, A., Gruman, J., & Cooper-Thomas, H. (2011). The neglected role of proactive behavior and outcomes in newcomer socialization. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.12.007

Seibert, S. E., Crant, J. M., & Kraimer, M. L. (1999). Proactive personality and career success. Journal of Applied Psychology, 84, 416-427. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.84.3.416

Serrat O. (2017) Understanding and developing emotional Intelligence. In: Knowledge solutions. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_37

Thiry, H., Laursen, S. L., & Loshbaugh, H. G. (2015). “How do I get from here to there?” An examination of Ph.D. science students’ career preparation and decision making. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 10, 237- 256. Retrieved from http://ijds.org/Volume10/IJDSv10p237-256Thiry0925.pdf

Wang, Z., Zhang, J., Thomas, C., Yu, J., & Spitzmueller, C. (2017). Explaining benefits of employee proactive personality: The role of engagement, team proactivity composition and perceived organizational support. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 101, 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.04.002

Reflecting on "Why" and "How"

The importance of giving yourself credit and remembering why you are doing what you're doing.

Take-Home Words: Dr. Powers

Advice on how to seek out support in graduate school and how to bounce back from setbacks.

To Post-Doc or Not to Post-Doc

When it's time to graduate and when it's important to start learning on the job.

Planning Experiments Around Breast Feeding, Productivity, and Encouragement (Part 1)

Creating a schedule and meeting an advisor's expectations.

Keep Looking for Faculty Support

The importance of finding the right advisor to support your research goals.

Undergrad Science vs. Real Life Science

Highlights the transition into graduate level science where the answers aren't known.

Words of Wisdom: Dr. Houston

The importance of remembering that graduate school is only one part of a larger career.

Making the Decision Later in Life

How to sustain taking time off and pursuing the PhD later in life.