Gregory Berka

What are your greatest memories of OS?

The closeness that I felt with members of my cohort after surviving the first semester (or the first month, or the first week). How helpful every person was in helping me to find my way. I mean “find my way” both from the perspective of helping me to make sense of the program and helping me to figure out what I wanted to do after the program. Meeting and falling in love with my wife, Heather Gordon. Having a little Organizational Science baby with Heather. Hearing about and congratulating others in the program on all the success they found professionally and personally.

In reflecting back, what are the top three things you are taking away from the program?

• The ability to design and conduct effective research, as I was not a researcher when I started.
• Confirming that I truly desire to be a teacher, as I suspected before I started. I was able to teach seven classes while a PhD student.
• Positive, strong, and wonderful relationships with OS faculty, alumni, and current students.

What advice do you have for new students on how to succeed in graduate school?

• Try everything, but don’t be afraid to stop doing the things that you are sure you don’t enjoy (unless they are program requirements).
• Talk to everyone. Learn about others. See how you can help them. They are very likely to help you as well.
• Figure out how to make the work-life balance or fit that suits you. It may be tricky in the first semester. But, after that, figure out what is important to you outside of school and do those things. This will make you enjoy life (and school) so much more.

What job search tips do you have for current students?

• I would say to pursue the thing that you want to do more than anything else. Why not? You can start looking for jobs or positions early, so start looking for your ideal job. Maybe it will work out. People often say, “Well, I’ll take this (less desirable) job now, but hopefully it’s a stepping stone to the job that I really want.” I say that you just successfully managed five years of intense training. You are going to graduate with a PhD. Now is the time to shoot for the ideal job.After re-reading the above, I should add that I feel incredibly fortunate to have my ideal job. I’d like to also add to be honest with the people in the program, other students, and those close to you outside of the program about what it is that you’d like to do. Even if the thing you want to do changes, that’s okay. You know the thing you want to do more than anyone else, even the people who you feel know you very well.

What about for preparation for going on the job market?

• Be positive. Or focus on the positive. Even when things don’t look very bright, try to find something positive in the future. The process is not fun, but knowing that the end result is a position where you are happy may help you to stay positive along the way.