How to make the most of masters year? - (Oct/24/2015 )

Hi, I am applying to a masters and beginning at the start of 2016. I have written and designed my project(in addition to keep adding details and creating action plans). I really do wish to get my masters paper published, are there any tips on how to make the most of masters year the best it can be?

I am not progressing to phd immediately as I simply cannot afford to stay there right now so only focusing on masters project (its masters in research degree). Are there any tips to get my content posted in a high science journal? (I have looked extensively but also very helpful to get input of those who have achieved what I wish to)

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you

Your ability to publish from a short-term project like masters will come down to the type of project you are undertaking and luck. Talk to your supervisor about the likelihood of publishing your project and the type of journals that it would be best suited to.

If you really want to increase your chances of publishing I would suggest doing a small side project for someone else during your masters (i.e. post-doc, PhD, academic) that is part of a large body of work. Then you will have the ability to negotiate a co-authorship on paper(s) that include your small project. This does have its’ risks but can be a useful way of building your publication list with less work than being first author.

Realistically, as much as you should aim to publish any research work, making the most of your masters will have little to do with publishing. Even if you get data to publish you will probably take 6-months to 1 year to get it from 1st submission to publication. By this time you will already have finished your masters and have a job. I would suggests from day one (or even now) focus on what you want to achieve directly after your masters… working in industry, working as an RA in academia, PhD… and then do smaller things to develop your resume and your network in that specific area.

For example:

• Attend conferences and present preliminary data or methods you have developed

• Join your relevant association or society (domestic or international)

• Find local networking groups that are relevant to your post-study interests.

• Volunteer for student positions on boards/panels/working groups, etc.

• Get to know the academics in your building/school/institute

• Finally and most importantly use these activities to network, network, network!