Are Research Networks Worth the Time for Graduate Students?

• Published in: Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 2018-07, Vol.99 (3), p.343-350
• Main Authors: Lamothe, Karl A., Bourne, Vanessa, Chin, Andrew T. M., Daoust, Kristin, Dieleman, Catherine M., Dallaire, Camille Ouellet, Tomscha, Stephanie A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; career; Careers; Collaboration; Community structure; Computer conferencing; ECO 101; Ecology; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Engineering research; Ethernet; graduate school; graduate student; Graduate students; Human ecology; Industrial research; Interdisciplinary aspects; Interdisciplinary research; Laboratories; Objectives; Professional relationships; Reinforcement; research network; Research universities; Researchers; Restoration ecology; science; Students; Supervisors; Universities
• ISSN: 0012-9623; 2327-6096
• DOI: 10.1002/bes2.1413

[...]we conclude with a perspective on engaging in network‐related research as former graduate students and members of the Canadian Network for Aquatic Ecosystem Services (CNAES). [...]these larger‐scale communities formed by research networks, while providing a range of experiences and potentially career‐defining opportunities for a graduate student, can also be difficult and intimidating to navigate. [...]in addition to the transfer of skills between network researchers, graduate students may also have the opportunity to incorporate data collected by collaborators to enhance the scope and breadth of their findings (Porter ). Measurable research output is a strong predictor of success in achieving academic jobs (Acuna et al. ). [...]students seeking academic positions should carefully weigh the cost‐benefit of engaging in low‐credit work, as competition for jobs remains high and is often based on measurable, high‐reward scientific output, such as peer‐reviewed articles in high‐impact journals.