Caryn Medved, Associate Professor, Corporate Communication, Organizational Communication, Family Communication, Training & Development
Caryn Medved received her doctoral degree in speech communication from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree in labor and industrial relations-human resource management from Michigan State University, and her BA in communication from Michigan State University. Her research agenda focuses on issues of work and life balance, including dual-career couple negotiations, identity struggles for stay-at-home mothers/fathers, and single-employee backlash. She also studies the intersections between corporate social responsibility and work-life policies. Caryn has conducted communication-related training for private industry and non-profit organizations including: the International Mass Retailers Association (IMRA), Wal-mart Corporation, Institute for Local Government and Rural Development and the Human Resource Institutes at Ohio University. She has also conducted training workshops and served on panels devoted to issues of work and family balance for the Columbus Metropolitan Club and the Academy of Leadership and Governance. She offers some tips and advice on getting a head start on students' thesis and capstone below: |
Tips on Getting a Head Start on Your Thesis/Capstone (Part II)
To continue our discussion about the thesis/capstone projects, let me offer a few more tips on how to make this process more enjoyable and seamless. In my last column, I offered four pieces of advice (1) start now, (2) learn IDEATE/IRB procedures, (3) consider an independent study, and (4) enjoy the process. Here are four more suggestions to help keep you on track:
---------------------------
Tips on Getting a Head Start on Your Thesis/Capstone (Part I)Your thesis/capstone project can be an exciting opportunity for you to create your own original research and/or professional project at the culmination of your master’s program. Here are a few tips to help you get headed in the right direction.
To continue our discussion about the thesis/capstone projects, let me offer a few more tips on how to make this process more enjoyable and seamless. In my last column, I offered four pieces of advice (1) start now, (2) learn IDEATE/IRB procedures, (3) consider an independent study, and (4) enjoy the process. Here are four more suggestions to help keep you on track:
- Find an advisor in advance. Begin talking to faculty who have similar interests as you early on in the program. Just make an appointment. Talk to them about your ideas for a thesis. Work on a project in his/her class. Then, at least the semester before you plan to enroll in thesis credits ask someone to be your advisor. Or, better yet, find an advisor 2 semesters before you want to enroll so that you can consider doing an independent study the semester before you enroll in thesis/capstone hours to begin on your project. You are the one who makes this happen. The earlier the better.
- Start early to become a SME. Take it upon yourself to dig into issues that are of interest to you in various ways both inside and outside of classes. Read information in the popular press, read books, engage in conversations and attend related events. Become a SME (Subject Matter Expert) throughout your program. If you do so, when you begin in earnest your thesis, you’re prepared and ahead of the game. Being a SME also gives you a leg up on the job market. You can confidently say that you are well versed in, for example, non-profit social media, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, investor relations, diversity and inclusion communication, etc.
- Use the MA Thesis/Capstone Guidelines. Put this under your pillow. Just kidding, but there’s great information here in these guidelines. Use it as well as the other resources on the graduate program website and in the WSAS Dean’s office. We are in the process of making this site more user friendly but there’s great information there already. Use your resources.
- Think about Goals. Along the way, but particularly when you’re beginning to think about your thesis/capstone, think about your goals. What do you want to achieve professionally with this project? What are your next steps? How can this project further you in terms of professional advancement, knowledge and/or continuing education? Have a good conversation with your advisor, other faculty members, colleagues, etc. Giving yourself a vested interest and a sense of excitement in the project will go a long way!
---------------------------
Tips on Getting a Head Start on Your Thesis/Capstone (Part I)Your thesis/capstone project can be an exciting opportunity for you to create your own original research and/or professional project at the culmination of your master’s program. Here are a few tips to help you get headed in the right direction.
- Start now. As you take classes early on in your program, start thinking about possible thesis topics and work with these topics in relation to class assignments. Enjoy the hunt for ideas!
- Learn @IDEATE & IRB. Not all thesis/capstone projects need human subject approval, but many do; particularly survey or interview-based projects. Key to being successful when you submit your proposal is to have the method of data collection well developed. Go to http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/hrpp/index.htm to learn about the process.Ideally, have your application for approval on IDEATE submitted the semester before you plan to collect your data.
- Independent Study. Talk to your thesis advisor about doing a 1-credit independent study the semester before you plan to do your thesis. This will give you one-on-one time to plan ahead for your project and get a head start.
- Enjoy the process. Pick a topic and/or a question that you’re passionate about and, ultimately, would like to talk to a potential employer or to share with a doctoral program admission committee.