grad student
Pursuing advanced degree
A grad student is a student pursuing education beyond the undergraduate level—a master's or doctoral degree.
Short for graduate student.
The term evokes long hours, modest stipends, and deferred adulthood: I can't afford that, I'm just a grad student.
In American universities, grad students often teach undergraduates while completing their own research.
Extended academic treatise
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- courseworkStudent academic tasks
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
candidacy · comprehensive exams · qualifying exams · teaching assistant · PhD · masters · department · faculty
Fixed regular payment
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
- coffeeBrewed bean beverage
- all-nighterSleepless work stretch
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
imposter syndrome · procrastination · office hours · cubicle · shared office · library · deadlines · stress
Facility for scientific investigation
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- publicationIssued written material
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
data · analysis · findings · experimentation · grant · funding · co-author · literature review
Employment availability collectively
- postdocPost-degree research position
- tenure trackProbationary academic employment path
- CVCareer credentials document
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
dissertation defense · industry · interview · recommendation letter · mentorship · professional development · publishing · conferencing
dissertation
Extended academic treatise
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- courseworkStudent academic tasks
seminar · candidacy · comprehensive exams · qualifying exams · teaching assistant · PhD · masters · department · faculty · professor
stipend
Fixed regular payment
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
- coffeeBrewed bean beverage
- all-nighterSleepless work stretch
burnout · imposter syndrome · procrastination · office hours · cubicle · shared office · library · deadlines · stress · work-life balance
laboratory
Facility for scientific investigation
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- publicationIssued written material
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
methodology · data · analysis · findings · experimentation · grant · funding · co-author · literature review · research assistant
job market
Employment availability collectively
- postdocPost-degree research position
- tenure trackProbationary academic employment path
- CVCareer credentials document
networking · dissertation defense · industry · interview · recommendation letter · mentorship · professional development · publishing · conferencing · specialization
- grad schooldissertation, thesis committee, doctoral program, PhD program, doctoral candidate
- grad studentsdoctoral candidate, postgrad, first year, second year, third year
- lab assistantsresearch assistant, technician, lab tech, intern, postdoc
- studentsfreshman, university students, sophomore, pupil, college students
- academiaprofessors, universities, graduation cap, biology department, professor
- collegecampus, courses, application, dorms, dorm room
grad studentundergrad
Degree-seeking university student
undergraduate · freshman · undergraduate student · sophomore · junior
grad studentprofessor
Senior university teacher
tenured professor · full professor · faculty member · department chair · dean
student, graduate, graduated, undergraduate, graduating, postgraduate, graduate student, graduate students