Graduate Student Meeting : Report from the Convention

Abstract

Graduate StudentMeeting REPORT FROM THE CONVENTION Bv Damcllt Lighlburn A, in informal discussion of"StudentActivities in The Historical Society" occurred on Saturday at the THS meeting in May. Led by Sarah Gardner, assistantprofessor ofhistory at Mercer University, and Jeffrey Vanke, a graduate student (now assistant professor at Guilford College), this breakfast meeting explored how THS might best serve its student members. Gardner and Vanke began the morning's discussion by outlining several proponía lor activities and services that would be geared toward graduate student) or, in some cases, junior faculty members. I he lust such suggestion, a mock interview system, was described by I^avid Ulbrich, a graduate student who also servo on the society's Committee on Graduale Student Allans. Mock interviewa would Ix- followed by commentary and suggestions on the interview as well as curriculum vitac and other documents . The idea of THS coordinating mock interviews met great support, and there was some discussion of how best to proceed at the local, regional, and/or national levels. Gardner then proposed an Internet bulletin-board site that could be accessed bv graduate students and junior faculty members and used for posting announcements related to research needs. In particular, Gardner and others suggested tli.it siudents and faculty could arrange housing swaps or even room on "living room couches lor accommodations during trips and conferences. Mam· audience members proposed other practical uses lor such a Wtb site or bulletin board, such as photocopying and mailing a hard-to-find article to someone who needed it tor then research. Hlizabcth Iox-Gcnovtsc suggested thai students might post their CVs on-line, and that departments could also announce lisiings ot lasi-minute adjunct positions. Vánke also suggested that a model CV could Iv made accessible on the WIb site. Gardner and Vanke also highlighted the issue of student involvement in THS meeting) and conferences, noting ihat graduale students make up roughly IC percent of its membership. 1 Wussion revoked around the c|uestion ol integrating graduate siudents into the society's regular programs and/ar organizing separate graduate student events. This war. several graduate students presented work at the national meeting, but separate events can present .1 less highly charged atmosphere when compared to professional presentation. As might be expected, the theme ol "the job search" arose repeatedly throughout the morning's discussion. In addition to the mock interview procesa and the possibility ot posting CVs and job opportunities on-line, manv participants pointed oui wavs that THS might benefit graduate students preparing to enter the academic profession. While some universities prepare students lor the job search, others do not. THS might be able to fill this gap bv arranging sessions for students to receive advice on the entire process, from creating a curriculum vii.ie and writing a cover letter to I he interview process. It was also mentioned that by offering students the opportunity to present research, THS also helps them to gam experience that can be of use when seeking .1 departmental position. I he subject of the job crisis which had been discussed the previous morning, inspired some related discussion .H this breakfast. Two immediate possibilities could help students build their credentials. THS might be able to offer a graduate student or junior faculty award, with a prize for a first published article. Second, as suggested m the previous paragraph, THS could involve graduate siudents in planning and programs, especially at regional and subficld events. Over the course of the mornings discussion, main interesting proposal) were presenled and received support lrom students, senior faculte, and other conference participants. I he conlinued succiss of I HS rests in large part with these graduate siudenis, who expressed great enthusiasm for the activities of the socictv and their roles within the organization. Over the next year, siudenis and faculty alike will continue 10 explore the roles that Undents will play within the organization as they seek to implement the creative suggestions nude at this meeting. IXiniflli Lightburn is a senior majoring in history at Boston University. l) ...