Presentation about myself, what to say? - (Oct/31/2012 )

Hi
I have to do a presentation about myself (20 min) for a PhD position in Biochemistry / Microbiology.
What should I tell them? I don't think anyone is interested in my childhood or my favourite books. But with a Masters degree there is not much experience I can talk about. I maybe can explain what I did, but that's nothing special anyone will remember afterwards. I also hardly can think of any new ideas or suggestions for the future work with the new group...
Did you have to do a presentation about yourself? What did you talk about?

Thanks for any hints :-)

ninana on Wed Oct 31 05:50:31 2012 said:

When we have candidates for an open PhD - student position they should present their previous work, i.e. their master thesis. I think people are interested because this shows your skills and techniques you learned so far. Nobody will judge about the impact of your thesis project. But it will show how you can handle scientific questions and if there is a logical and major thread throughout your thinking. Usually there are questions after your presentation (mostly unexpected ones for you) so the group can judge also about your explanation skills. Prepare yourself beyond your horizon, maybe you can even construct a link from your master thesis to the groups work.

A little bit of personal information is good as well. People have to work with you for several years! Maybe not your favourite books but genres? What are you doing in your freetime? And of course explain why you are interested in this position and show why you are the one to choose.

Good luck!