Graduate School Myths and Misconceptions

Jan 3, 2025

Miroslava Chávez-García, a Professor of History and co-author of *Is Grad School for Me?*, and Yvette Martínez-Vu, a coach and author, dive deep into graduate school realities. They tackle prevalent myths, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making and personalized goals. Financial considerations and mentorship are highlighted as crucial for success. They also discuss the significance of work-life balance and community support, particularly for underrepresented students navigating their academic journeys.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Graduate School Realities

01:49 • 13min

Navigating Graduate School Decisions

14:54 • 5min

Navigating Graduate School Myths and Realities

20:20 • 13min

Navigating the Fluidity of Work-Life Balance

32:59 • 2min

Redefining Work-Life Balance and Mentorship

34:39 • 12min

The Power of Community Support in Graduate School

46:43 • 2min

Empowering Insights for Academic Advancement

48:57 • 2min

It’s daunting when you don’t know what to expect about graduate school…or you’re worried you won’t measure up. This episode helps dispel the myths and addresses some of the common misconceptions. We unpack the realities, including: how to determine if graduate school is the right next step for you; when to apply; the time and financial investment of a graduate education; what life is like after getting in; the need for work-life balance; and the importance of finding the right mentor.

Our guest is: Dr. Miroslava Chávez-García, who is Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and holds affiliations in the Departments of Chicana/o Studies and Feminist Studies as well as Iberian and Latin American Studies. She also serves as the Faculty Director of the McNair Scholars Program. She is the coauthor of Is Grad School for Me? Demystifying the Application Process for First-Gen BIPOC Students, with Yvette Martínez-Vu.

Our co-guest is: Dr. Yvette Martínez-Vu, who is a coach, consultant, author, speaker, and the

founder of Grad School Femtoring LLC. She is the coauthor of Is Grad School for Me? Demystifying the Application Process for First-Gen BIPOC Students.

Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast.

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